Essential Medium & Large Format

To fully maximize the potential of Analog, you've gotta go big.  Physical size matters in photography, and just as sensor size can have a massive influence on the way your digital photos look, film size is a huge factor in optical resolution.  In fact, you won't be able to find a DSLR that comes close to the rendering quality of a good large format camera.  To replicate the resolution of 8x10 sheet film, you would need a sensor that captures 1,280 Megapixels!

From the get-go, we'll launch directly into the ins and outs of 120, 220, 4x5 and even 8x10 film, including how to load the cameras, how to check for errors, and how to properly control and expose these frames.  We'll shoot cameras ranging from the single and twin-lens reflex medium format, to studio and field versions of large format camera, and you'll get to process and print from these larger film sizes in the Black & White darkroom.

Who should take this class?

You've gotten a taste for the Analog world, and now you want the best of the best.  Stepping up from the 35mm frame to larger film sizes comes with a number of advantages, but the most important one is easy to see: quality.  If you want the sharpest image, the finest detail, the richest tonality and that incredible 3-D depth that digital cameras can't touch, then you want to start shooting medium and large format cameras.


Preparations and Materials:

• Be in a weather-appropriate attire for going outside.
• If you have one, bring your medium or large format film-based camera.  We'll have some on hand for in-class use and demonstration, but check out eBay or KEH for deals on used Rolleiflex, Yashica, Sinar or other types of classic cameras.  All darkroom chemistry included with the price of this class.  Film and paper may be purchased separately.

Q&A

Q: What is the minimum age requirement for kids to attend? 
A: All ages are welcome.

Q: Are materials provided and included in the price of the class? 
A: No, you need to bring your old film-based SLR if you have one, though we do have manual SLR cameras to rent.