Kramer after a surf.
Diving in head first into something isn’t always the wisest or prudent choice in life but I decided to move forward with a 4×5 camera. As digital is by far surpassing all that is film, one must think about why anyone would choose to use a nitrocellulose coated with a type of emulsion over a “somewhat” superior image created by a CCD with a Bayer filter. Digicams are so easy! Point, shoot, transfer, publsh! Done. A fact found on wikipedia points out that the first filmless analogue cameras were designed in the early 1970’s. Unbelievable.
Ah but with film and a 4×5, you gotta drag out the tripod, you have to compose, focus, think, and put forward a good image. It takes time, effort, and thought. Something digicams are allowing the photographer to forget about.
As far as this new toy, its Toyo View cream colored 4×5. It has a Nikor 210mm lens and its allowing me to make magic. Why go through this struggle, you might ask? Well, there is a psychology to the portrait. A true psychology the subject feels when he is placed behind this monstrosity, an accordion with an upside down image that can only be seen with a dark cloth placed over the head.
People take you seriously…oh this guy knows what he is doing. they pose, the take themselves serious. you won’t see stupid grins, hand signs, etc…but the serious “I am being preserved” attitudes.
At the same park where I shot that surfer, a gang of guys drinking beer called me over and asked me to photograph them. None shied away from saying they were from the other side of the tracks…jail time, stab wounds, gunshot scars, etc…they shared beer, time and stories. I, not the type to shy away from life, embraced these guys, who in many ways, would have probably sneered at me if I had a 35mm camera, but coddled me as one of their own. They were the nicest kindest, friendliest people you could ever image. If I had been on the other side of the island (you know…the rich side) I never would have been allowed a rich world party. Those types are snotty and pretentious. What did Josh and his friends have to loose?
We shared polaroids, family snaps, etc…they loved it. I loved it. Here is Josh. What a guy.
That is what makes them so interesting…
And makes us so boring.
ah, the joy of cameras.
Thank you Yong Yoo for your efforts and support. You are never far from my thoughts.
