The Large Format Photography Podcast Large Format Photography Podcast
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A fortnightly chat about about large format photography
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#66 On Safari With The 120ist
#66 On Safari With The 120ist
In so many ways this show episode typifies what we love about making this podcast – it was just like being in a pub (or coffee shop) and having a chat with like minded folk about, mostly, large format photography. The fact that the conversation wanders around is exactly what happens when you have enthusiastic guests and hosts getting together to ponder the thing that occupies their minds for most of the time.
Nick Davis is better known for his YouTube channel the 120ist – contrary to the title it isn’t just medium format film and cameras that feeds his content but his sheer love for film, the process, the ideas, creativity, trying new things and explaining what he’s doing in a “come and learn with me” approach.
Things we chatted about on the show:
Zebra Plates and various other LF related accessories for wet and dry plate working.
https://zebradryplates.com/
“Mr Zebra” has a really good You Tube Channel that’s worth checking out too. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lost+art+light
Nick recently purchased a pack of Zebra Tintypes and his latest video shows how he got on – here is a link to learn more about the history of Tintypes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintype
And if you want to make your own…..
https://www.alternativephotography.com/the-modern-tintype-process/
Guy Bellingham (former guest) and local to Nick gets a mention by Simon for the excellent video content on his You Tube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@guybellinghamphotography1290
The conversation wanders off to photographers who influence us, who we admire and some books about the “why” of photography.
Jason Lane.
https://www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/All_Production_Dry_Plates.html
Ben Horne.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ben+horne
James Fee.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fee
Some books…….
Photography Workshop Series are excellent and published by Aperture.
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/category/all?search=photography%20workshop%20aperture
Richard Misrach Desert and Border Cantos – search for best deals and availability.
Nick mentioned “Landscape Within” if you are struggling with your landscape photography.
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/david-ward/landscape-within/9781902538341?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18129456947&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&gclid=CjwKCAjwgsqoBhBNEiwAwe5w0806MS1qxE2OJykACJe-LXBPE0QOjVTUpWbF8XYO5nodmWF8t4AoIRoCfn0QAvD_BwE#GOR005425058
When we were discussing darkroom spaces and Guy Bellingham – Negative Spaces came up.
https://negative-thinking.myshopify.com/
Nick’s links
Nicks YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@the120ist
Website.
https://www.the120.ist/
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/
And now our Flikr group curated by Colin Devroe
https://www.flickr.com/groups/lfpp/
Get Twitter updates for the show from Andrew –
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Or from Simon –
https://twitter.com/simonfor
Email feedback, ideas and questions for the podcast
largeformatphotographypodcast@gmail.com
Podcast Hosts Social Media presence
Simon Forster
www.simonforsterphotographic.co.uk
https://stores.ebay.co.uk/itsfozzyphotography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125323761@N07/
https://www.facebook.com/SimonForsterPhotographic/
https://www.instagram.com/simonforsterphotographic/
https://twitter.com/SimonFor
Andrew Bartram
https://anchor.fm/thelenslesspodcast
https://andrewbartram.wordpress.com
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper_pinholes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warboyssnapper/
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Erik Mathy
A not updated website.
https://www.erikmathy.com/about
IG pr -
#65 Liquid Emulsion With Graham Vasey
We first interviewed today’s guest over 4 years ago, in fact he was our first proper guest to help us and our listeners along the “new to LF path”. Show 2 with Graham Vasey is worth a listen as we touch on many interesting subjects, one area Simon and I wanted to return to was Graham’s use of liquid emulsion on watercolour paper and that’s pretty much what we covered in show 65.
So thank you Graham for indulging us once again and we look forward to following up another topic in 4 years time.
Things we chatted about on the show:
We mentioned a few books that Graham has found useful.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Gelatin-Liquid-Photographic-Emulsions/dp/1902538153
This is probably the only printed definitive guide to using liquid emulsions and copies are getting more expensive, if you can get a copy then it’s an excellent resource for all things “liquid emulsion”
After relistening to show 2 Simon went out and bought a copy of Fred Picker’s book on the fine print, turns out its not the same one Andrew has, and Erik has neither (maybe he should make one). Anyway here are some links to both (shop around is my advice as some silly money is being asked for )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zone-VI-Workshop-Photography-Hardcover/dp/B00JYHSZE8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=389LBHG4EFQZP&keywords=fred+picker&qid=1690189053&s=books&sprefix=fred+picker%2Cstripbooks%2C75&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Print-Fred-Picker-1975-08-02/dp/B01K3NHYJS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=389LBHG4EFQZP&keywords=fred+picker&qid=1690189173&s=books&sprefix=fred+picker%2Cstripbooks%2C75&sr=1-2
Graham mentioned several commercially available liquid emulsions from Rollei, Forte, Fotospeed and Foma – the latter is his favourite.
https://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue-photographic-emulsion-detail-1082
https://parallaxphotographic.coop/shop/foma-photo-emulsion-250g/
Graham found that 300g NOT watercolour paper from Bockingford works well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bockingford-300gsm-Watercolour-Spiral-180mm/dp/B008OVA49Y/ref=asc_df_B008OVA49Y?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058247183242&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657823004312&psc=1
Graham’s links
Best to head over to IG as his website is a bit broken.
https://www.instagram.com/graham_vasey_photography/
https://www.instagram.com/the_black_tor/
Graham’s work is represented in a local arty gallery – take a look
https://www.gallerina.co.uk/graham-vasey
Graham’s film work can be hunted down on YouTube and Vimeo but here is an interesting insight into what we have been talking about in show 65
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Io9WjR826k
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/
And now our Flikr group curated by Colin Devroe
https://www.flickr.com/groups/lfpp/
Get Twitter updates for the show from Andrew –
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Or from Simon –
https://twitter.com/simonfor
Email feedback, ideas and questions for the podcast
largeformatphotographypodcast@gmail.com
Podcast Hosts Social Media presence
Simon Forster
www.classiclensespodcast.com
www.simonforsterphotographic.co.uk
https://stores.ebay.co.uk/itsfozzyphotography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125323761@N07/
https://www.facebook.com/SimonForsterPhotographic/
https://www.instagram.com/simonforsterphotographic/
https://twitter.com/SimonFor
Andrew Bartram
https://anchor.fm/thelenslesspodcast
https://andrewbartram.wordpress.com
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper_pinholes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warboyssnapper/
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Erik Mathy
A not updated website.
https://www.erikmathy.com/about
IG probably best for all things including rabbits.
https://www.inst -
#64 The Hell Of The North
#64 The Hell of the North
Our second catch up show of the year once again saw the return of Simon to the fold who, it turns out, has had sufficient time off to be reinvigorated and enthused for all things LFPP. What does that mean? Well, more shows we hope, at least three a year……
Things we chatted about on the show:
As we didn’t have a guest on show 63 Simon kicked things off by thanking those who had so very kindly sent in Ko-Fi donations (see link to the LFPP Ko-Fi site somewhere at the end of these notes) with nice words as well. So very appreciated and well, considering we haven’t had a show out since, a tad humbling.
One of the donors to the show mentioned Conflict Cameras who are making superb progress with an auto focus large format camera, I know, right! The mind boggles. Anyway follow along here whilst we see if they can be a guest on the show. https://www.instagram.com/conflict.cameras/
Simon had just come back from another “#MerseyMeetup” organised by the nicest Liverpudlian we know Steve Starr https://twitter.com/Stig_Ofthedump
George Walsh was there, we spoke about George and his repairs to Graflex cameras back on show 63 and George is another guest we have lined up. George’s Facebook details are here: (18) George Walsh | Facebook should you have a similar request.
Erik brought us up to date with his large format photo journalist escapades on the Paris to Roubaix cycle race in Northern France, this race was named “The Hell of the North” by those who took part in its inaugural 1919 outing, just one year after the WW1 Armistice when the land was, well, like hell on earth. Erik is getting his work published which is fantastic, here is the latest piece in the Radavist Cycling journal.
https://theradavist.com/paris-roubaix-femmes-2023-ef-education-tibco-svb-team-interviews/?fbclid=IwAR1_uJip13ID1Bor5Jj1wx0G7t805daYUgHtDFmsa9t4uSg8A5eWJoPAFp4
Erik explains how he loves to use orthochromatic film and how it fitted in well with this project as its close to the emulsion that would have been available at the time plus he was using his modified Kodak 3A till it broke, a camera that would also have been around back then over 100 years ago.
Erik also took with him a modified Polaroid roll film camera he 800 which can be modified to take 4x5 film here is a link but there are others out there if you are interested in doing the same thing. https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?121626-Mahogany-Polaroid-800-conversion-to-4x5
Foma Film are or have introduced a 400 speed Ortho film which is a welcome addition to those who love that unique look where reds turn very dark and skies are very light (as are blue eyes) read more here… https://www.foma.cz/ew/9e5c83a3-3971-4ee3-ac98-dbb6878ff953-en
Whilst in France Erik visited the grave or memorial to John Kipling (Rudyard Kipling’s Son) – and interesting story about him on the BBC History site. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35321716Andrew brought us up to date on his “What lies beneath” project looking at the modern day landscape around the numerous WW1 grave sites around the Ypres Salient. Andrew started this project back in 2017 and shared some images and thoughts on his blog.
https://andrewbartram.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/what-lies-beneath-the-beginning-of-a-journey-with-a-large-format-camera/
This time, with more negatives to add to the collection he intends to make 5x7 Warmtone prints for scanning then fibre prints with typed notes for a “box set”.
Anyway its good to have a project.Finally, Andrew spoke about our previous guest, Jeff Perry https://www.instagram.com/20thcenturycamera/?hl=en and the astonishingly bad times he is currently going through. Jeff can be supported here:https://www.instagram.com/p/CqRaMP7vnte/?hl=en
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook G -
#63 The Return Of The Prodigal Gearhead
#63 Return of The Prodigal Gearhead
We have been waiting for the return of our beloved Simon to the podcast for some time now, so a threesome to kick off the new year of 2023 was a perfect opportunity for us all to have a catch-up and hopefully make Simon realise he misses this whole podcast thing and there’s more to life than the 3d printing of camera accessaries.
As things turned out we didn’t get to cover everything we had planned, even Erik only managed a couple of swear words such was the focus on what Simon has been up to.
Anyway, that’s good as it means we will almost certainly have a follow up……
Things we chatted about on the show:
Our conversation was a tad shorter than usual due to Erik not being able to get out of bed, however, it was enough time for Simon to bear his soul and admit he doesn’t really know anything about photography.
OK, a bit harsh but once you’ve listened you will see what I mean.
His lovely MPP MicroPress, partnered with a Bronica S mount (6x6 medium format camera) Nikon (Nick-on) 25cm f/4 lens and the wonderful edge “otherworldliness” was the focus of a lot of chatter as he has now had it serviced (the MPP) by George Walsh – George’s social media details are here, should you have a similar request.
https://www.facebook.com/george.walsh.35513
www.instagram.com/gwalshphotography/
Earlier in 2022 Simon shared some photos from a LF trip he had in Snowdonia, a bit of a turning point for him really as the blank images he returned with made him realise he had to make things a bit simpler and not try too many new things at once.
In fact it was a photowalk with Simon’s friend, Christopher McKie, during a photo walk with Simon around the Queen Street Mill in Burnley with just one camera that Simon realised 1) HP5 is actually a pretty good emulsion and doesn’t have to be grainy and 2) It makes nice prints in HC110 dilution B.
So you have a combination that you like why change and indeed why not focus on that combo in LF?
More chatter followed………
Erik briefly told us about the million lens elements friend of the show Jason Lane sent him.
Jason is the man behind J Lane dry plates and is also an optical engineer. He is currently looking to restart coating more dry plates as life has gotten in the way.
https://www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/All_Production_Dry_Plates.html
Steve Lloyd invariably gets a mention on pretty much every show (don’t think we have seen that endorsement fee yet Steve). This time when Simon mentioned Dave Whenham and his lovely night time images made with Steve’s snapshot camera.
Dave in Elland (@elland_in) / Twitter
Dave Whenham (@dave_in_elland) • Instagram photos and videos
(18) Dave Elland | Facebook
Erik also mentioned the new Jason Lane designed single element lens Steve has recently launched for thread mount Leica things.
Chroma Camera Ltd
All in all a fun chat.
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/
And now our Flikr group curated by Colin Devroe
https://www.flickr.com/groups/lfpp/
Get Twitter updates for the show from Andrew –
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Or from Simon –
https://twitter.com/simonfor
Email feedback, ideas and questions for the podcast
largeformatphotographypodcast@gmail.com
Podcast Hosts Social Media presence
Simon Forster
www.classiclensespodcast.com
www.simonforsterphotographic.co.uk
https://stores.ebay.co.uk/itsfozzyphotography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125323761@N07/
https://www.facebook.com/SimonForsterPhotographic/
https://www.instagram.com/simonforsterphotographic/
https://twitter.com/SimonFor
Andrew Bartram
https://anchor.fm/thelenslesspodcast
https://andrewbartram.wordpress.com
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper
https://www.i -
#62 Simon Riddell - Wet Plate Saved My Life
From Simon’s website - “I specialise in analogue and alternative forms of photography, this is my passion. Currently, I'm immersed in practicing the art of Victorian wet plate photography, invented in 1851 the process is still to be rivalled today. There are only a small number of people worldwide practicing wet plate.
I became an artist in 2016, travelling through various analogue and darkroom disciplines. In 2021 I won a global wedding award for my natural portraiture. I also worked closely with Channel 4 on the set of SAS: Who Dares Wins.
I have a bespoke studio and darkroom located at the top of the picturesque Nigg Hill, Ross-Shire, in the Scottish Highlands. The rest of my time is spent in the Isle of Skye, where I'm currently immersed in the Skye Collodion Project”.
And….. so very much we didn’t talk about.
If he survives his daring adventure up a mountain, in December, with wet collodion…..then I’m sure we will have him back on to finish the story…….
With Simon though, we are not at all sure there will be an ending in sight.
Things we chatted about on the show:
Andrew met Simon at the Photography Show in Birmingham and sat in awe as he presented some images from his widely publicised “Mental Collodion” body of work. If you aren’t familiar with this visual exploration of one man’s recovery from depression and PTSD then maybe take a look at these links.
MentalCollodion with Simon Riddell (srfilmphotography.co.uk)
Introducing MentalCollodion: Shining light on mental health struggles - EMULSIVE
As we knew Simon was embarking on a project called #PeakPerserverence and that part of this “adventure” would involve filming a documentary with footage from the trip and interviews with mental health professionals we thought we would start there.
Simon is trying to raise some extra cash for the trip and has a Go Fund Me page which explain more about the project.
https://www.srfilmphotography.co.uk/peakperseverance
https://www.gofundme.com/f/peak-perseverance-documentary
One of the therapies Simon has used with great success is EMDR, we didn’t really go into any detail in the chat but here is a link.
What is EMDR? - EMDR Institute - EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY
Simon and his fellow adventurers will spend time on the Cuillin Ridge helped by Mountain Guide Adrian Trendall – you can read more about this environment and Adrian here.
All Things Cuillin
One (and there are a few) of the challenges of using wet plates on a mountain, in December is the lack of washing water so he has asked Steve at Chroma Camera to make a “holding tank” for his plates, which can be filled with water to stabilise the exposed plates for later washing.
Chroma Camera Ltd
Our Erik mentioned this Eric – who also does things up mountains.
Eric Bouvet | Paris | Facebook
Simon has had lots of help and encouragement from Markus Hofstatter, Borut Peterlin and Shane Balkowitsch.
Markus Hofstätter (@mhaustria) • Instagram photos and videos
Borut Peterlin Photography – Borut Peterlin is a fine art photographer and educator, dealing with wet plate collodion process, albumen printing, salt printing, carbon printing and woodburytype printing processes
Shane Balkowitsch Wet Plate Collodion Ambrotype Photography
And whilst we were referencing inspirational wet plate photographers we had to mention our buddy Dave Shrimpton.
https://daveshrimpton.co.uk/
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/
And now our Flikr group curated by Colin Devroe
https://www.flickr.com/groups/lfpp/
Get Twitter updates for the show from Andrew –
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Or from Simon –
https://twitter.com/simonfor
Email feedback, ideas and questions for the podca -
#62 Sammy, The Afghan Camera Lady
#62 Sammy the Afghan Camera Lady
Erik and Andrew are joined by the force of nature known as the Afghan Camera Lady for an enjoyable natter.
Sammy has a background in commercial photography but with the help of her local analogue photography group Leicester LoFi became obsessed with the Afghan box camera.
Currently Sammy takes her huge “portable darkroom and studio” camera to festivals and weddings to make unique “instant” portraits.
Bursting with enthusiasm and ideas for how she might develop her work Sammy made our life easy for this recording.
Things we chatted about on the show:
When Sammy lived in Leicester she discovered they had an Afghan Box Camera and decided there and then that “it was a camera to match her personality”.
www.leicesterlofi.co.uk
For all things related to these wonderful cameras you should look at the Afghan Box Camera Project Website.
This project was initiated early in 2011 by Austrian artist Lukas Birk and Irish ethnographer Sean Foley. The aim of the project from the outset was to create an urgent record of the disappearing art of Afghan box camera photography and make that information freely available online for all. Funding for the project in 2011 as in 2012 came primarily via crowdfunding on the KICKSTARTER website. The Visual Anthropology Dept. at Goldsmiths University, London has also contributed funding.
Afghan Box Camera Project
The discussion turned at some point to the “6 degrees of separation” that led to Erik being a co-host on the show so we ended up talking about the work of former guests Wayne Martin Belger and Jenny Sampson.
"The Beauty of Decay" Project (waynemartinbelger.com)
jenny sampson photographyJenny Sampson Photography jenny sampson photography, gallery tintypes
Erik is building a camera around an RB67 back and Mamiya press lenses to take an Instax Wide back – Friend of the show Ethan Moses has helped him a lot.
CAMERADACTYL
A man with a similar brain for camera design is Steve Lloyd of Chroma Cameras and you can see what he can offer you here.
Chroma Cameras – Unique 4×5, medium, instant and 135 format..analogue cameras
Last but not least it was Suffolk photographer and all round lovely chap Mark “Jimmy” Hickford who first suggested that Sammy would be a good guest for the show.
Mark 'Jimmy' Hickford (@jimmyshootsfilm) • Instagram photos and videos
https://twitter.com/Jimmyshootsfilm
LFPP links -
https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/
ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast
You can join in the fun at our Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/
And now our Flikr group curated by Colin Devroe
https://www.flickr.com/groups/lfpp/
Get Twitter updates for the show from Andrew –
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Or from Simon –
https://twitter.com/simonfor
Email feedback, ideas and questions for the podcast
largeformatphotographypodcast@gmail.com
Podcast Hosts Social Media presence
Simon Forster
www.classiclensespodcast.com
www.simonforsterphotographic.co.uk
https://stores.ebay.co.uk/itsfozzyphotography
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125323761@N07/
https://www.facebook.com/SimonForsterPhotographic/
https://www.instagram.com/simonforsterphotographic/
https://twitter.com/SimonFor
Andrew Bartram
https://anchor.fm/thelenslesspodcast
https://andrewbartram.wordpress.com
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper
https://www.instagram.com/warboyssnapper_pinholes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warboyssnapper/
https://twitter.com/warboyssnapper
Erik Mathy
A not updated website.
https://www.erikmathy.com/about
IG probably best for all things including rabbits.
https://www.instagram.com/erikhmathy/?hl=en
The East Bay Photo Collective
https://www.ebpco.org/
Stay Safe