LF: Time and space

[Dawid Loubser]

Time and space

(Ilford HP5+ film - 4x5in, Linhof Technika V, Scneider APO-SYmmar 150mm @ f/5.6)​

At times when I have wanted to achieve this kind of image - with most of the image out of focus to create an impression of space and/or depth, but with a perfectly rendered off-centre in-focus subject - the gift of the cheap large format camera + lens has been a great enabler. The only alternative would be to sink massive money into either the best 35mm f/1.4 lens money can buy (and there is none for an SLR that has this relative performance, all of off-axis aberration and softness, even and especially the great Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4).

This was simply a calm moment in a calm garden that I visited just before sunset, and both literally and figuratively, time and space was present.

 

[John Wolf]

Dawid, I could read a lot into this--the bloom and fade of space/time and all that--but I like your description of simply a calm time in a calm space. Very nicely done.

I used to shoot Canon and can't help but think my 35 1.4L might have approached this rendering. Maybe not, but well enough that I sure do miss it.

John

 

[Dawid Loubser]

Dawid, I could read a lot into this--the bloom and fade of space/time and all that--but I like your description of simply a calm time in a calm space. Very nicely done.

I used to shoot Canon and can't help but think my 35 1.4L might have approached this rendering. Maybe not, but well enough that I sure do miss it.

John

Hi John -

Thanks for your compliments!

Oh, of course, the 35L would definitely approach this rendering. At the small web size, it might even look near-identical. My only claims were:

• Not at a quality level sufficient for producing a fine print (there will be no contest in quality whatsoever)
• Not at the price level of a Large-format 150/5.6 lens, which is absolutely common and easily found for $150 or so.

The 35L is a fine lens, no doubt! But as a B&W film user, it would not give me what I like, at the budget that I have.

 

[John Wolf]

That's one thing I've never done in all my years of photography is shoot large negatives--at least not beyond 2 1/4. But I've seen enough LF prints to know you are right.

John

 

[Asher Kelman]

This was simply a calm moment in a calm garden that I visited just before sunset, and both literally and figuratively, time and space was present.

Time and space

(Ilford HP5+ film - 4x5in, Linhof Technika V, Scneider APO-SYmmar 150mm @ f/5.6)​

Dawid,

It's a great idea and you have the right tools for the job. Tell me about your intent for sharp focus. Is it the flowers or the proximal portion of the sundial.

The idea works, but I'm wondering whether the nearest part of the sundial or at least the tip of the upright hand should be super-sharp. I'm sure you thought about it. I love to know how you decided what was going to be hard and soft?

Asher

 

[Mark Hampton]

Time and space

(Ilford HP5+ film - 4x5in, Linhof Technika V, Scneider APO-SYmmar 150mm @ f/5.6)​

Dawid,

It's a great idea and you have the right tools for the job. Tell me about your intent for sharp focus. Is it the flowers or the proximal portion of the sundial.

The idea works, but I'm wondering whether the nearest part of the sundial or at least the tip of the upright hand should be super-sharp. I'm sure you thought about it. I love to know how you decided what was going to be hard and soft?

Asher

I thought the same - not sure if the focus slippage is right IMHO - but its no my work so i go with what the maker has made.

cool !