Large Format



I am often asked why I use large format cameras for my landscape work. The term "large format" refers to the dimensions of the negative: 5 x 7 inches; 8 x 10 inches; 11 x 14 inches, or even larger. The view camera itself is merely the device which holds lens and film in alignment.

Very large negatives hold considerably more information than small formats like 35 mm or 120 film. This increased amount of information, together with much finer film grain leads to a very high image sharpness and greater detail in the print. It also means less enlargement for any given print size. All this translates into greater image clarity, finer detail and better tonal separation, the very attributes one strives for in making a fine print. The resulting print, even when made very large, closely matches the quality of human vision itself, greatly enhancing the print viewer’s experience.

With the current exception of mural-size prints, all of my work is done in the traditional realm of photography via handprinting in the darkroom. I am now in the process of constructing a darkroom which will allow me to produce even very large prints using the hand print method. In this new age of digital photography, with so many new advances in picture quality being made, my decision not to work digitally is based solely on personal choice. I believe my work retains the organic feel of traditional fine art black and white photography passed down to us by such master photographers as Edward Weston. Wynn Bullock and Ansel Adams.

In my opinion, the heritage and sheer beauty of a silver gelatin print cannot be maintained or matched by any other current method of print-making.