8x10 Park Portraits
“Underneath the camera.. it is so magnificently beautiful. It is upside down and backwards, true but have you seen through a view camera. You can just pay admission to see through a view camera it is so mysterious.” ~ Judith Joy Ross
Inspired by the work of Diane Arbus and Judith Joy Ross these images are portraits of strangers I meet in the park. These images are taken with a Deardorff 8x10 camera all shot on black and white film. I am interested in using the camera to connect with people.
The 8x10 Deardorff camera is a curiosity to most, it initiates conversation and helps allows two strangers to connect for a short time through photography. The use of space and a minimal depth of field is a used to isolate the subject and speaks to the distance I sometimes feel towards others.
Mr. Ulrich
Marie Éve & Ian
Ali
David
Ronald
Kristyn & Raffy
Francesco
Larry
Nicky
Ian
8x10 Deardorff Camera Setup
Camera setup and focused to the maximum distance based on the 360mm lens, without need for exposure compensation. 360mm lens is about the equivalent of a 50mm lens on a full frame DSLR. The large reflective building to the left of the camera fills in some light, lightening the area.
I like photographing with a background that has a lot of linear perspective. It focuses the viewer’s attention attention on the subject if placed at the vanishing point and I like that it enhances the shallow depth of field. Some of my fav photographers do this too, like Spencer Tunick in his Nudes Adrift series.
Traveling with a rolling bag helps as the gear is very large and heavy, and a lot of accessories are needed to make the photography go smoothly i.e. a clamps, dark cloth, meter, tape, measuring tape, etc..
