Recently, I've been working on projects that need something a little different—a fresh look that doesn’t feel like it’s been done a thousand times. While there’s no shortage of attractive individuals, finding someone with unique characteristics and a natural presence—someone who doesn’t fit the typical “model” mold—takes patience. Honestly, just a pretty picture bores me these days. It’s funny how you’ll sometimes come across someone with potential, only to find they have zero contact details outside of their DMs. And while reaching out that way might work for some, let’s just say I’m not looking to add “slide into DMs” to my workflow—that’s a path with too much room for unintended comedy. 😂
Anyway, that work is a little bit down the line, so the search continues. Right now, I’m focused on a project that lets me lean into the technical side of things and push creative boundaries. Recently, I tackled a shoot centered around jewelry, using my 8x10 and 4x5 film setups. This project required precise camera movements and careful bellows adjustments to achieve the look I envisioned. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together.
Working with 8x10 and 4x5 film comes with its own set of challenges. It’s always more than just capturing a scene—it’s about shaping it with purpose. On a recent project focused on jewelry, I relied on a mix of precise camera movements and significant bellows extension to achieve the look I was after. If you know me, you know that my goal isn’t just to create familiar recreations; there’s always a reason behind every choice. Each element is there to elevate the subject in a way that hasn’t been seen before.
The Role of Movements:
Using large format film is all about control—control over focus, perspective, and how the scene is presented. Unlike digital or smaller film formats, large format cameras offer unique adjustments called movements that can change how an image is captured. These adjustments might sound technical, but think of them as fine-tuning a painting on a canvas, shifting elements until every detail feels just right.
In this project, movements like tilt, swing, shift, rise, and fall were essential. Here’s how they worked for this shoot:
Tilt: Adjusting the tilt allowed me to control the plane of focus. Picture a book lying open on a table—tilt lets you decide which words stay sharp and which blur, drawing the eye exactly where you want it.
Swing: This movement helped add a sense of depth by shifting focus subtly across the frame. It’s like leaning forward slightly to see more detail in a scene without changing your overall position.
Shift: Shift allowed me to move the lens or film back horizontally, left or right, without tilting the camera. This was useful for fine-tuning the composition and aligning different elements in the frame while keeping the perspective straight.
Rise and Fall: For this shoot, I used both rise and fall on the front (lens) and rear (film back) standards. Using rise lifts the lens or film back, while fall lowers them. These movements allowed me to frame the scene precisely without tilting the camera, preserving the natural lines and proportions of the piece. By balancing both front and rear movements, I maintained a distortion-free composition, ensuring the subject’s details were highlighted without compromising perspective.
Each movement wasn’t just about achieving technical perfection; it was about creating an image that guided the viewer’s attention and added dimension to the subject. Just knowing how to use these techniques doesn’t automatically create a compelling photo. It’s when they’re combined with a strong concept and the eye to know when everything feels right that the image truly comes together.
Bellows Extension and Exposure:
Managing bellows extension is an essential part of large format photography, especially when working with intricate subjects like jewelry. As the bellows extend, light fall-off becomes a factor, so adjusting exposure is a must to keep the shot balanced and consistent.
During this shoot, I recalculated exposure frequently due to the changing distances between the camera and the subject. It’s a step that might seem detail-heavy, but without it, you risk losing the clarity and depth that make large format images stand out. Think of it as fine-tuning the focus with a magnifying glass—the further you move it from the object, the more you need to adjust to see clearly.
What makes this process meaningful is knowing how to use it to guide the viewer’s eye. Sometimes, you might want certain parts of the image in full illumination, while allowing light to fall off in other areas to add depth or focus. It’s never just about balancing light for its own sake; it’s about making sure every adjustment serves the whole image, enhancing the story it tells and ensuring nothing feels secondary or unintentional.
Adapting to the Unexpected:
No matter how much preparation goes into a shoot, there are always moments that call for quick adjustments. During this project, I realized that the height of the table I was using didn’t align with the perspective I envisioned. Instead of compromising on the shot, I stacked two full-size tables on top of each other to get the perfect height. It might sound unconventional, but it felt right for what I wanted to achieve, and that decision brought the composition to life.
These kinds of adjustments aren’t just technical fixes—they’re about listening to your creative intuition and following through. Experience with large format photography teaches you that flexibility is just as important as preparation. The goal is always to keep the session moving while ensuring every detail serves the final image.
Why This Matters:
Every detail plays a role in shaping a powerful image. Camera movements, bellows adjustments, and unconventional choices, like stacking tables for the perfect height, may not be obvious in the final shot, but they influence how the image comes together and connects with viewers.
These techniques only reach their full potential when used in the context of a strong idea or concept. It’s not just about the technical steps but how they support the overall vision. Thoughtful adjustments contribute to images that feel intentional, balanced, and impactful. When combined with a well-executed concept, these elements transform a photograph into something memorable and engaging.
Final Thoughts:
Every shoot is an exercise in adaptability. Plans shift, unexpected challenges come up, and improvisation becomes essential. It’s in these moments that the work moves from routine to something more—a series of decisions that bring the image to life in ways that couldn’t have been scripted.
Packing up after a shoot, there’s always that moment of reflection: not on perfection, but on what was discovered and learned in the process. That’s what keeps the work evolving and the next project intriguing. The most interesting stories are the ones that unfold when you step beyond the expected.
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