Dungeness and Camber Saturday 2/2

[RaglanSurf]

I know it's late but I've got some work down in Kent tomorrow but I'll have a little spare time and I've looked at the forecast and it looks OK so I'm going to do some LF photography with the 5x4 down on Dungeness and Camber if anybody else is heading down that way drop me a PM and maybe we can meet up.

 

[Andysnap]

^^ Oh yes we are all amazing and informative, not forgetting handsome and witty.

Hello Shezi, welcome aboard.

Bit far for me Nick but have a good day.

 

[Asha]

not forgetting handsome and witty.

Thank you for the kind words Andy.....and we've never met!

Nick, I'm afraid it's a tad too far for me too matey.....enjoy yourself!

Knowing you're heading out to shoot LF is giving me an urge to get out shooting some sheet film too....

 

[RaglanSurf]

Well I'm back and it was a bit of a steep learning curve. Apart from just running some test film through the 4x5 this was the first time I actually took it out properly and I hadn't realised how tricky LF can be.

Of course you see the shot you want, you set up, carefully frame the shot, get the light meter out, just waiting for shards of sunlight to break through and illuminate the lighthouses and nuclear power station and what happens? The sun comes out full on and shines enticingly on the abandoned shacks and fishing boats behind you :bang:

So do you wait for the sun and clouds to play ball or do you move your camera, reframe, refocus and hope that by the time you've done all that the sun hasn't returned to the scenario you wanted in the first place

It really makes you slow down and think, it won't be long before I'm heading back down there.

 

[Andysnap]

I think the only sensible solution is to have two large format cameras facing in opposite directions. You obviously haven't thought it through Nick.

 

[RaglanSurf]

I think the only sensible solution is to have two large format cameras facing in opposite directions. You obviously haven't thought it through Nick.

Bloody hell Andy, don't put ideas like that in my head

 

[excalibur2]

h'mm get a compass

 

[RaglanSurf]

h'mm get a compass

And why would that help me?

 

[excalibur2]

And why would that help me?

You'll know where the sun will break out from a cloudy sky and fall on your subject

 

[RaglanSurf]

You'll know where the sun will break out from a cloudy sky and fall on your subject

I knew where it was going to break, unfortunately it broke too much and instead of sending shafts of sunlight over my intended subject instead flooded the whole scene with sunlight straight into my lens and lit the scene behind me perfectly. Unfortunately a compass would have not helped at all.

 

[excalibur2]

I knew where it was going to break, unfortunately it broke too much and instead of sending shafts of sunlight over my intended subject instead flooded the whole scene with sunlight straight into my lens and lit the scene behind me perfectly. Unfortunately a compass would have not helped at all.

Well something less to look forward to in you Christmas cracker

 

[Asha]

Well I'm back and it was a bit of a steep learning curve. Apart from just running some test film through the 4x5 this was the first time I actually took it out properly and I hadn't realised how tricky LF can be.

Of course you see the shot you want, you set up, carefully frame the shot, get the light meter out, just waiting for shards of sunlight to break through and illuminate the lighthouses and nuclear power station and what happens? The sun comes out full on and shines enticingly on the abandoned shacks and fishing boats behind you :bang:

So do you wait for the sun and clouds to play ball or do you move your camera, reframe, refocus and hope that by the time you've done all that the sun hasn't returned to the scenario you wanted in the first place

It really makes you slow down and think, it won't be long before I'm heading back down there.

Yep without doubt LF is for snails!

In response to your question ....wait for the light to fall correctly on your planned subject....it is nailed on that all will go to hell if you try and change shot/composition etc and ultimately ending up with neither shot....I know, I've tried

I usually find that i have to go out with a set subject in mind for the LF shot and by the time I've got set up, metered, composed etc etc etc the scene has changed from what i desire wether it be light, crowds or whatever.

Sometimes a wait is necessary and other photo opportunities will arise in the opposite direction ...Voila, out comes an slr to keep me "occupied" whilst waiting for the LF shot!

From a practical point of view, it works....just adds to my back ache carrying it all that's all:!

 

[RaglanSurf]

Sometimes a wait is necessary and other photo opportunities will arise in the opposite direction ...Voila, out comes an slr to keep me "occupied" whilst waiting for the LF shot!

That's what I was missing, I didn't have my SLR with me, it certainly would have kept me entertained while I was waiting for the sun to show itself, never mind I'll know next time.