Ben Horne wrote:
The thought of using pack animals would certainly make life much easier though!
I first learned that about Adams after I made a photograph (two, actually) of Precipice Lake, the subject of a somewhat well known photograph of his. (Though I regard it as being far from his best work.)
I had hiked up there, arriving on the morning of my third day, and I mused about how difficult it must have been for him to hump all his gear up into that saddle. I did a bit more research, discovered that he had made the shot, IIRC, in the 1930s, and that he had taken pack animals there - which makes since in that it would be a 5-7 day out and back for most people.
Oh, and "fine" is not "comfortable." ;-) But, still, you are certainly right that having a good pack makes a huge difference when you carry very large loads - often the difference between misery, pain, and injury versus, well, OK.
Ben Horne wrote:
I do have one more photo from this trip, but I haven't scanned it. I'll be posting that one next week once I'm done editing the next video journal together. It has a much different feel to it, though it has many of the same elements.
How are you scanning the film?
The depth (color and detail) of film that large is hard to get with digital. I think I am getting close with the IQ160 and rodenstock glass but still 8x10 is well beyond (single image capture). The web does not do it justice obviously!
I really enjoyed watching the videos. I know it must be quite a bit of work to shoot them on location by yourself which looks like you were.
Man, this image is just scrumptious. The color compliments, the comp and the clarity. Nice work.
8x10, wow I guess if your gonna be a bear you might as well be a grizzly.
I have a few questions. One, why does your pack weigh so much? Is it mostly camera gear?
My camping gear itself is quite light, but the 8x10 camera, 3 lenses, 4 film holders, and a Gitzo 5 series tripod, and video setup add a lot of weight. Also, I need to take a decent amount of water with me.
The depth (color and detail) of film that large is hard to get with digital. I think I am getting close with the IQ160 and rodenstock glass but still 8x10 is well beyond (single image capture). The web does not do it justice obviously!
I really enjoyed watching the videos. I know it must be quite a bit of work to shoot them on location by yourself which looks like you were.
I scanned this with my Epson V700 using the standard Epson software. Nothing fancy in that regard. I don't use any special mounts or anything, I simply lay the film down on the glass. For the most part, I view the Epson as a "preview scan". If I really want to print the image, I'll have it professionally drum scanned.
The video is fun to do while I'm out there -- and it gives me something to do when I'm not actively shooting. It's great to be able to share these experiences with others.
DonH wrote:
Perseverance certainly pays off. Always a pleasure to see your work and vids. Now about that dancing at the end of the Racetrack vid - hmmmmm.
I've been working on some new dance moves since then. ...Notice I didn't say better... just new. :-)
The wonderful green glow backed by the nicely lit wall and the tree trucks mimicking the wall color as well. Beautiful!
Madrona trees?
JBR
Thanks John. Those are mostly Cottonwood trees, though there are some others mixed in there as well. They've only had their leaves a month or so, so they are all nice and fresh.
Interesting and dramatic contrast of colors and textures Ben. In my mind I have implanted your suggestions on compositional strengths. Here I see it two ways where the warmth and vertical boldness accentuate those incredible trees and vice versa.............so double good here for me and the more I look the more I see in details
Simply spectacular and I like both the hues on those greens! Cool one man!
ckcarr wrote:
This is a great shot Ben, I really like it. Nothing super dramatic, just the beauty of a Southwestern canyon, the desert varnish, the sandstone, the sweeping arc upwards. All the colors are right on. It's like I'm there again...
Very beautiful, Ben. Thanks for not overdoing it with Orton effect, too. I love Orton effect but it is running rampant these days! And this the type of scene I'd try it on, so I appreciate your restraint.
