Large Format B&W Portrait | behind the scenes

Large Format B&W Portrait | behind the scenes | Katharine McEwen

Рет қаралды 12,434

5 жыл бұрын

In this vlog, I show my setup for a large format environmental portrait I did of children's book illustrator, Katharine McEwen.
The photos were shot using my MPP 4x5 large format camera with a 135mm lens.
The vlog shows the setup on the day for two shots - the first an upright, closer portrait on Ilford FP4+ b&w film and the second, a wider shot of Kate working at her desk on Fomapan 100 b&w film.
I have also produced a promotional film for Kate which shows her working methods as an illustrator. I found we had something in common in that we both incorporate analogue processes in our work. Kate uses collage techniques to build up her illustrations. This involves a lot of cutting, sticking and placing of pieces to build up layers in her artwork. This is unusual as most book illustrators nowadays work digitally.
Katharine McEwen promo film • Katharine McEwen | Chi...
Kate's links -
Katharine McEwen Instagram / katharine_mcewen
Bear Hug by Katharine McEwen amzn.to/2UqCg9J
Gear used on this vlog:
MPP 4x5 large format camera (1950s)
Schneider Kreuznach 135mm f4.7 lens
Mark II Artist's Viewfinder app
Sekonic lightmeter amzn.to/2SEYgMt
Rotolight Neo amzn.to/2PtEr8E
Ilford FP4 film amzn.to/2PwbKZg
Fomapan 100 b&w film
Manfrotto bag amzn.to/2rPbQlu
Manfrotto 055 tripod amzn.to/2wPVC04
Manfrotto XPRO ball head amzn.to/2rU15xb
Ilford ID11 developer amzn.to/2JlSeN4
Stearman Press SP445 tank amzn.to/2MOno0I
rocket blower amzn.to/2GwWxlI
Epson V850 scanner amzn.to/2HoSzwa
Archival 4x5 sleeves amzn.to/2OGx2mF
filmed on:
Panasonic GH5 amzn.to/2wSyrlN
Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 amzn.to/2wNSsdk
Rode Videomic Pro amzn.to/2GvTcDw
Zoom H1 recorder amzn.to/2KAjgQg
lav mic amzn.to/2KDJcuf
Zomei Variable ND Filter amzn.to/2NRUNr6
website www.craigprentis.com
instagram @craig_prentis / craig_prentis
facebook / craigprentisphotography
Buy prints: www.craigprentis.com/buy
#largeformat #portrait #BTS

Пікірлер: 84

@richardsimms251 2 жыл бұрын

Such patience. Great results. RS Canada

@cloudsilver1 3 жыл бұрын

I loved this. Thanks for sharing! Hope to see more of your experience with large format.

@ceritat625 5 жыл бұрын

I hope Kate is very happy with these because they are gorgeous! I love the compositions, the first portrait is spot on!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Filmnut Girl, I hope so too!

@ThunderBert62 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful shots Craig! I particularly liked the second picture with the brilliant reflections in the frames on the wall. I hope you can make more vlogs like this after the virus has passed. Cheers!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

thanks Bert, I'm glad you liked it

@RomulSpiel 3 жыл бұрын

Cool works.

@Joshbaldophotography 5 жыл бұрын

Fantastic Craig I love how calm and relaxed you are

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you liked it

@TeddyWandererCamera-Bear 5 жыл бұрын

This was wonderful to see two people still using traditional crafts to create art :D I loved it thank you for sharing :D Teddy

@GONZOFAM7 Жыл бұрын

Nice work. I'm planning to start taking this type portrait.

@guidoehlers2807 5 жыл бұрын

thank you for another wonderful video. It is a pleasure to watch and the photos are really wonderful. I enjoy your work, your videos very much. It's about taking pictures, no gear talk, no weired comparisons, just taking photos

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Guido, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

@senthilsadasivam6645 5 жыл бұрын

Bringing back the 'art' in photography

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

@giannidigirolamo8868 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice video. As always great contents ;)

@markharris5771 5 жыл бұрын

It must be fantastic meeting creatives from other fields and seeing how they work. I don’t shoot people at all, except for headshots for the charity I'm involved with and my grandchildren. However I think Katherine made a superb model, besides obviously being very attractive the first shot especially told a story of someone who cares about her work. I really like the two videos I’ve seen thus far where you are taking this type of shot. I especially like seeing how you work, very well done indeed. Your images are far gentler than Newman's, they are certainly nowhere near as stand offish. I actually prefer yours.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, I really enjoy seeing how other people work too. I like the way that Katharine still has an analog process with her illustrations using collage, building up layers in her work by physically cutting and pasting paper rather than doing it digitally with some software package.

@Ad-eq3cu 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy your videos, you are taking us to a journey of image creation that informs and relaxes the soul! :) Thanks!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Cheers, that's good to know.

@adamm4926 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent. That first portrait is spot on.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks Adam

@magnusa.5599 3 жыл бұрын

that was very fun to watch. makes me want to try out large format soon. you seem to be very happy with that field camera for portraiture as well as for landscape work out and about. it's incredible how many different camera models there are, new and old. but a field camera seems to be a good allrounder, wouldn't you agree? cheers.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yes, 4x5 field cameras are the most portable way of doing large format. This one is fairly heavy at about 3kg but it's quick to set up.

@JDubyafoto 5 жыл бұрын

When I saw the promotional video of Katharine, I hoped you also had done some portraits & you didn't let me down! Nicely done!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm hoping to do more of this in the future.

@benjaminfargen 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant!

@AnthonyDeLorenzo 5 жыл бұрын

Outstanding portraits Craig. Am new to your channel but now subscribed and looking forward to following along with you. Cheers!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks Anthony, I'm glad you found the channel. More to come soon.

@MateuszMazurkiewicz 4 жыл бұрын

I like how foma 100 turned out! I have used foma 400 and rodinal and results were much below my expectations.

@Igarpe 5 жыл бұрын

First capture is awesome Craig!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@markboweringphotography4408 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed watching this. I am amazed at the quality of the photos. Looking forward to seeing more content like this.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks Mark, I hoping to put more of this into the channel.

@ekchuahstudios9066 5 жыл бұрын

Love your work, thanks for sharing.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@markprice470 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed that Craig. Particularly like the last picture. I love portraits that are a bit more natural. great work :-)

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark, it's tricky getting a natural portrait with a slow, large format set up but I'll keep going at it! Glad you liked it.

@visulisationmeditation 5 ай бұрын

really lovely, thanks for sharing. Is Kate's website up yet?

@UploadN0ob 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing 😃 !

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@nelsonm.5044 5 жыл бұрын

First time seeing a portrait session on large format, very interesting ... and you need a very patient model

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, you do. I explained it was going to be slow especially with trying to film and talk it through at the same time. I think it's kind of tolerated as it's not the norm. Anyone can take a quick shot on a phone but I think people are intrigued by something that's slightly unusual.

@AdamOnAnalogue 5 жыл бұрын

These are beautiful - great work.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@paul-green-photography 5 жыл бұрын

This is great. Beautiful shots and nice to see BTS. More please!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul, I hoping to make this a regular thing.

@naedolor 5 жыл бұрын

Outstanding job, Craig, but don't get cocky with all these compliments :)

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nae. Never good to be cocky and I appreciate the all comments I get on here.

@PaulCSmithPhotographer 5 жыл бұрын

This is great Craig, well done for vlogging this really not an easy thing to do.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul. You're right and yes, you would know having done it yourself. The more elements you add, the trickier it gets but I like a challenge.

@shawndavey9429 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@jiml989 5 жыл бұрын

Terrific video as always. Your presentation is calm (love that there is no distracting music) and so helpful when you describe not just your settings, but your thinking as well. I would be interested in how you develop your B&W 4x5s. I almost never get the clean, sharp images you do.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim L. Just dev'd in Ilford ID11 (1+1), scanned very flat and a bit of levels and curves adjustment in PS. I've given it a fairly good clean up with the spot healing brush for the dust.

@neilt 5 жыл бұрын

Lovely portraits.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@EwanDunsmuirImages 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Craig - yet another great Vlog/ short film. I think short film is a better term when you are looking at Environmental Portraits. Lovely job and reminds me of a couple of fairly big exhibitions i did way back in the day. I have to take my hat off to you for your calm approach to these and this particular subject matter, and your clear dedication to the 'art'/ Well done mate! Keep them coming Regards Ewan

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Ewan, thank you. Sometimes I think it would be so much easier to take these shots on my phone...but where's the fun in that! I'm enjoying this slow photography and people are very forgiving when you go to so much effort. Glad you enjoyed it!

@MrGraeme1961 5 жыл бұрын

Great work Craig

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks Graeme

@MrLucCai 5 жыл бұрын

great job as always

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@devtank 4 жыл бұрын

I used to stand with my back to the subject and lean over the camera and view things the right way up.

@lars-goranabrahamsson9337 5 жыл бұрын

Nice photos !

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@martincutrone5816 5 жыл бұрын

Really nice work! The calmness of your landscape videos translated to a calm portrait session. I'm chicken to shoot people, maybe I should try now. As always, enjoy and learn from your work and your presentation. Keep it up!

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Martin, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully there'll be more of this sort of stuff to come in the future. I did a project a few years back (#portrait365) where I photographed a different person every day of the year. I had to approach total strangers on the street. Some said no but the majority were fine with it and it's great for building up your confidence. You can view it here craigprentis.zenfolio.com/portrait365

@martincutrone5816 5 жыл бұрын

@@CraigPrentisPhoto I've only looked at part of the year so far, but can see already that it looks to be really good work. Thanks for pointing me towards your project!

@andrewfrost8866 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent.

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks

@YassefSelman 5 жыл бұрын

beautifull portrait

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@I-SelfLordAndMaster 8 ай бұрын

You can’t compete with large format it’s just that simple great portraits I have seen you for some time on KZfaq though where are you?

@mdubskye9751 4 ай бұрын

He passed away last April.

@gerardodalchielelueiro6818 5 жыл бұрын

Very good portraits Best regards from ARGENTINA

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

thanks Gerardo

@tonyb2760 5 жыл бұрын

Very nice work. May I ask what that light was you were using? Thanks for sharing

@CraigPrentisPhoto 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I forgot to this it below but I've added it now. It's a Rotolight Neo.

@TangoDJAnthonyCronin 4 жыл бұрын

Great Video, A question about the Rotolight you use, I have been considering one, do you think they are a good idea compared to using flash for film photography for out and about portraits ( not studio) . I haven't got past 6x6 yet so am thinking with my Blad or TLR

@CraigPrentisPhoto 4 жыл бұрын

It's quite a nice little unit and you can change the colour temp which is handy, but I think it's over-priced for what it is and I often just pick up my cheapo light which is a fraction of the price but brighter (only daylight though).