Large Format Cameras

Large Format is reference to the size of the negative used to capture the image. Any negative that is 5x4 inches or larger would be classed as large format. I used a technical camera which gave me control over how the light travels through the bellows by moving the two ends of the camera. We would usually use large format film however it is very sensitive and expensive; making it impractical for experimentation. Therefore we used light sensitive paper because it is a lot cheaper.

To take the image we first open the shutter using a small lever to the right of the lens. This allows the light to travel through the camera directly onto the fogged glass opposite. The image will be flipped similar to how a camera obscura works. Then this allows us to compose the image and focus on the subject using a black sheet over your head so that the light gets blocked out. I then switched the lever down again to shut the shutter making the image disappear again. I then placed the cartridge with two pieces of light sensitive paper in the holder at the back which is in front of the fogged glass. The cartridge has two black metal sheets, one on either side to protect the paper from being fogged. The one facing the lens will have to be removed and turned around to signify that side has been exposed. I then cocked the shutter on the front and used a wired shutter release to hold the shutter open for 10 seconds. The metal plate was then pushed back in and the cartridge was taken to the darkroom where paper was removed and developed. This revealed the paper negative.

 

This is the first image I took whilst we were still finding out about how long to leave the shutter open for. It looks very pale and the whole image is made up of mid tones. There are no blacks or whites clearly therefore it is a week image.

I decided to take another image with a longer exposure of 10 seconds. This one is stronger than the first with definite white areas and darker greys. However still no black tones. I am going to invert this image to see how it turns out.

To invert that image I exposed another piece of paper underneath the original negative, which was face down for 14 seconds to produce a positive print.

I am quite pleased with this image because the soft focus and slight movement give it a very old feel. As if it was taken pre-war. The tone variation is strong and clearly defines the model.