Information and the Assignment for our January meeting given by D.B. Stovall

The Assignment

One of the primary characteristics of my work is using light and how it plays on what I am imaging.  In order for that to work the way I want it to, I oftentimes will go out and identify what I want to image and then plan on where I want the light to fall.  I use sun angle tables to determine the best time of day to capture the image and return when I can capture it the way I want.

This all requires planning and the capability to visualize how an image will appear.  The assignment is to go out without your camera and identify scenes that you want to shoot.  Figure out how you want the shadows to appear to sculpt the subject the way you want to see in the final image.  Make a rough sketch if that will help.  Use sun angle tables (tips and tools will be provided at the meeting) to place the sun where you want it, return at the appropriate time on a different day and make the image.  In the furtherance of deliberateness use a tripod to carefully place the camera to match the visualization.

For the judging briefly explain how you saw it originally and how you visualized it in the final and what you did to make it so.

Resources: 

 

Sunseeker App - IOS, Android from Ajnaware Pty Ltd   an app plot azimuth and elevation
Web-based plot of azimuth and elevation from US Navy Observatory..

 

Starting in large format photography - a note from Dave Stovall

 One thing I did want to correct.  I think I may have left the impression that you had to sink a fair amount of money to go large format.  This is incorrect, it can be done fairly cheaply today.  For example, the Calumet camera I use can be found on ebay for $200 to $300 with a lens in very good condition.  The lenses are also available inexpensively on ebay.  My old 150mm Symmar-S goes for about $150 now.  8x10 cameras are bit more but not out of reach.  B&W film is also much cheaper.  4x5 Tmax is less than $1 a sheet.  Processing is a couple of bucks a sheet or much less if they do it themselves for those that have a darkroom.  Contact prints can be easily made, or 4x5 enlargers are easily had on ebay, or they can be scanned like I do.  The scanners can be found on ebay.  So really moving into large format does not have to cost an arm and a leg as long as one doesn't insist on going first cabin!