Pinhole Photograph With An 8x10 Camera
It took a lot of guesswork to make this photograph. I had a large format 8×10 camera with me mounted with a pinhole instead of a typical glass lens. My 8×10 film backs were loaded with Ilford Direct Positive Paper, a material that I’ve had hit and miss results with. Worst of all, I was working on a hot summer day with harsh light that was difficult to meter for. To add even more wild and crazy ideas to the mix, I was determined to do a double exposure.
To say there was a lot that could go wrong would be an understatement.
The chances of making a photograph that I didn’t like were far greater than having a success in this instance. With an ISO of 3, Direct Positive Paper is difficult to meter for in the best of circumstances. Add the unpredictability of pinhole photography and the unpredictability of a double exposure and it is safe to say my exposure was more or less a wild guess. I ended up doing about two minutes on the first exposure and four minutes on the second, which is the part of the image with the model laying down in the field.
In the end I made one of my photographs I’ve ever managed to produce. I think there is a lesson here and it is one that I have to remind myself is true, even though it can be difficult to accept. As an artist, you’ll make the best work of your life when you take a risk. The chances of failure are great, and more often than not you will fail. It’s no fun when that happens and it is easy to feel defeated.
However the opposite is true as well. When you succeed you will have created something truly special.
Camera: 8×10 Large Format Camera with pinhole adapter.
Film: Ilford Direct Positive Paper.
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