This is a 4x5 image from about 30 years ago. I recently was “rabbit-holeling” on YouTube when I noticed a video on how to scan large format negatives with almost any scanner. I made a be-line to the link. The process seemed fairly easy. Scan the negative then bring it into Photoshop or some other edit software then invert to a positive. Okay, now I know that most how-to videos are simplified and the actual nuances are often discovered by the viewer as they attempt to replicate the process on their own. Such was the case for me. I had a moderate success for the first scan. The second and subsequent ones were not as simple. A pox on learning curves…. When I made most of my 4x5 negatives I was exposing mostly for palladium printing which usually equates to a rather dense or dark negative which isn't so great for direct and easy an invert to a positive. I am learning how to scan, make adjustments prior to inverting to a prior a positive where/when I make more edits so, I guess most of my 4x5 rescues will be etssooi(edit the sorry stuff out of it).
I was working on my BFA at Oregon State University at the time when I made this one. I had talked my father into loaning me the money to buy my own monorail 4x5 camera. If I had thought through the intricacies of a non-field large format camera I more than likely would have chosen a 5x7 field style not the monorail which was a lovely piece of equipment but, exceptionally heavy and not very photo excursion friendly. None the less, I was young and able to wield it around. I would go to the Oregon Coast with it and as this image shows, I went down the trails in Silver Falls State Park with the beast. I went early one January or February morning to explore, thank goodness it was a mild winter and little or no frost on the trail. The trees were in silhouette against the waterfall and mist. I chose to expose for the water. I got really lucky to achieve a solarization of the trees as well as capture the sun rays. I was still learning so much about proper exposure (still am by the way) at the time so, I took this as a gift
I am looking forward to scanning and sharing some of my really oldie-moldies. This exploration fits nicely into my New Year’s resolution, embrace the beauty of uncertainty.
This picture has a soul. I was not satisfied with the resolution of such a scan. Actually, they can only be used for small magnifications. I gave the most important ones to the drum scanner. The rest are waiting.
@haskar Most appreciative of the fav. I agree that scanning a negative is dicey at times but so far I am having fun.
@domenicododaro Very thankful for the fav. Film lives!, even if in a slightly altered format.
@bubblequeen Thank you so kindly. Silver Falls is a most lovely place, you walk behind the falls in this shot.
@fbailey Truly grateful for the fav. I didn't but the right scanner for my large negatives but that's okay I am having fun figuring out how to scan anyway.
Wow- that sounds like an amazing amount of work but well worth it- both in the taking of this shot and the restoration of it. It looks like a modern take on an Ansel Adams landscape. Very cool!
@eudora Thank you so much for the fav. Toting around a monorail isn't easy, it got sold a few years back but the 8x10, I keep in a large backpack.
@olivetreeann When we are young, we just do and think later but, it was my first large camera and I loved it.
@lsquared Please do, if you have a macro lens try taking a shot of the negative after placing it flat with backlight. Creativity can be nothing but breaking rules :-)
@lostphojo You are so kind, thank you for the fav. As with old albums, my tastes and perspective have changed but I will continue to try and rescue some. I admit to finding one or two that really make me wonder what I was thinking....
@samae So thankful. Not throwing out and cleaning out of old boxes can yield some interesting things.
@mzzhope Thank you a great for the fav. Rabbit holing on YouTube sometimes pays off.
@jgpittenger Truly appreciative of the fav. I fell so lucky to have taken classes at OSU in photography. I know now that doing is one of the best ways to learn. Getting involved with 365 has re-ignited my love of photography. Daily photo work really feeds my soul.
@domenicododaro Very thankful for the fav. Film lives!, even if in a slightly altered format.
@bubblequeen Thank you so kindly. Silver Falls is a most lovely place, you walk behind the falls in this shot.
@fbailey Truly grateful for the fav. I didn't but the right scanner for my large negatives but that's okay I am having fun figuring out how to scan anyway.
@olivetreeann When we are young, we just do and think later but, it was my first large camera and I loved it.
@lsquared Please do, if you have a macro lens try taking a shot of the negative after placing it flat with backlight. Creativity can be nothing but breaking rules :-)
@lostphojo You are so kind, thank you for the fav. As with old albums, my tastes and perspective have changed but I will continue to try and rescue some. I admit to finding one or two that really make me wonder what I was thinking....
@samae So thankful. Not throwing out and cleaning out of old boxes can yield some interesting things.
@swguevin2 Most grateful for the fav, thank you.
@mzzhope Thank you a great for the fav. Rabbit holing on YouTube sometimes pays off.
@jgpittenger Truly appreciative of the fav. I fell so lucky to have taken classes at OSU in photography. I know now that doing is one of the best ways to learn. Getting involved with 365 has re-ignited my love of photography. Daily photo work really feeds my soul.
@golftragic Thank you a great deal.
@sugarmuser You are so very kind, most grateful for the fav. Rescuing negatives is a real lesson in edits, no question about it.
@robz Truly thankful for the fav. Film is where I started and to be able to be creative again with it, it nothing short of a gift.