On Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 4:37 PM, Mark C <[email protected]> wrote: > ... some photographs only work when presented at large scale. They > rely on visual elements like detail, texture, and pattern; not just simple > graphic forms. In order to print those photos at a large size you need that > data. Examining the photos at a detailed level gives you an idea of whether > they can be printed at 24 x 30 or larger, and still communicate effectively. > I've had some very successful photos that look terrible on the web, > uninteresting at 11 x 14, but really stunning at 20 x 20 or larger. > > A couple examples - > > http://www.markcassino.com/newsite/portfolios/landscapes/pages/67_504.htm > > http://www.markcassino.com/newsite/portfolios/landscapes/pages/67_355.htm
They're both lovely photos, Mark. My goal, however, is to produce lovely photos at a somewhat smaller scale. Not only do I have no space to hang or store many 24x30 inch photographs in general, but I've found it quite difficult to market or sell them. The vast majority of my print orders are for sizes up to about 11x14 inch as that's what most people have room and budget for. If you have the clientele to warrant such large work, more power to you! Medium and large format film are your friends as medium format digital cameras are out of reach unless you're making a huge lot of money. IMO, it's impossible to get results for 30x40 sized enlargements out of even medium format unless you do a heck of a lot more than "sling a Haffleblad in your bag and go make some snapshots. You made it sound like that's what you expect to do with some descendent of the K5. It ain't gonna happen, just like it could never happen with a 35mm camera of any kind. You need massively more information than that skimpy little rectangle of film would produce, or a good sensor that size would either, and you need a sturdy tripod, careful metering, careful focusing, bracketing, etc to get the goods. I learned on medium format (Rolleiflex TLRs) and shot medium format and large format occasionally all through my time in the pre-digital era. It's lovely stuff. Enjoy it, don't waste your time and effort comparing it to digital. :-) > I'll refrain from philosophizing about the contemplative nature of shooting > with film, process vs product, and the value of the inherent artifact that > is the exposed bit of film. That's all squishy and hard to quantify.... :-) I picked up a lovely old M4-2 last September and enjoy shooting with it immensely. I don't enjoy the four to five hours it takes to scan every roll of film I shoot, however. I liked the process of developing the film and printing it in a wet lab even less. Diff'rent strokes. -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
