Re-learning all things 4x5 was fun and a challenge albeit an easier one compared to a decade or so ago. These days YouTube and search engines in general will throw a lot of options at you. This is an article about my re-entry into large format photography.

II had two sheets of Kodak Ektar loaded into my film holders but I typically use for Ilford FP4+. Next morning I completely forgot about it. Back developed it as usual. Here is the outcome.

Trees portrait using 4x5 large format camera.

Large format is expensive. Large format is slow. Large format is unforgiving. However I've always loved the slow and meditative process. However when it works, it is pure magic. I've been a long time film user and recently started using film again. My last attempt (circa 2005) to do large format work was a mixed bag and ended on a sour note (no pun) as I tumbled down a cascade. And so did my camera and lens on a tripod which I tried to hold on to in panic. It took about 12 years to recover and start large format photography again. This is an attempt to write about the thought process, technical aspects and lessons re-learned during my second attempt.

Large format is expensive. Large format is slow. Large format is unforgiving. However I've always loved the slow and meditative process. I've been a long time film user and recently started using film again. My last attempt (circa 2005) to do large format work was a mixed bag and ended on a sour note (no pun) as I tumbled down a cascade. And so did my camera and lens on a tripod which I tried to hold on to in panic. It took about 12 years to recover and start large format photography again. This is an attempt to write about the thought process, technical aspects and lessons learned eventually.