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The dismissive comments (“you can just do this with focus-stacking” etc) are hilarious and totally miss the point. Why sit in a boat on a lake fishing when you

The dismissive comments (“you can just do this with focus-stacking” etc) are hilarious and totally miss the point. Why sit in a boat on a lake fishing when you can buy fish sticks in any grocery store? PS: if you’re interested in large-format photography, check out Nick Carver on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickcarverphoto https://www.youtube.com/@nickcarverphoto

lambdasquirrel 4y ago
Well to be pedantic about it (going both ways), this method is far superior to focus stacking when you have a fairly linear transition in the field of focus. It is also really nice for shifts. Focus-stacking is a more general, in that you can place the focus wherever you choose and in any order. But for many landscape shots, these large-format movements produce an amazing depth of field that never falls in and out of focus, as is what you’ll get for focus stacking. The catch is that it’s a technique that’s only usable for landscape photography. People already have an issue with rolling shutters anytime there’s a moving subject. For these movements, that much is a feature, not a bug.
- deleted 4y ago
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musictubes 4y ago
Didn't see anything dismissive in the comments. The focus stacking comment resonated with me as just a practical solution. I loved my time with LF. 4x5, 57, and 8x10 are just amazing but unfortunately my health no longer allows me to carry around the camera/tripod/holders/cloth/etc. LF transparencies (including B&W) are just breathtaking. I also loved doing various antique processes with the big negatives as well. LF photography is a unique experience. I wish every photographer could experience it.
- lambdasquirrel 4y ago
  I don’t think it takes very long before new photographers notice the fall-off of light/focus and sense of environment in LF, and even MF. It is a point of envy. You can’t replicate it in post. No megapixel count on a smaller sensor will recreate it, and high quality full-frame CMOS sensors are already pricey as they are. It seems that in this realm, film remains king.
joshz404 4y ago
And also QT Luong's site: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/ https://www.largeformatphotography.info/
armadsen 4y ago
I love this analogy and it’s the same one I use when people dismissively ask me why I do Morse code, shoot film (including large format), print in the darkroom, listen to reel to reel tape, etc. It’s not that I’m a Luddite. I’m an audio/video-focused software engineer. It’s that the best hobbies aren’t necessarily practical.

lambdasquirrel 4y ago

Well to be pedantic about it (going both ways), this method is far superior to focus stacking when you have a fairly linear transition in the field of focus. It is also really nice for shifts. Focus-stacking is a more general, in that you can place the focus wherever you choose and in any order. But for many landscape shots, these large-format movements produce an amazing depth of field that never falls in and out of focus, as is what you’ll get for focus stacking. The catch is that it’s a technique that’s only usable for landscape photography. People already have an issue with rolling shutters anytime there’s a moving subject. For these movements, that much is a feature, not a bug.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

musictubes 4y ago

Didn't see anything dismissive in the comments. The focus stacking comment resonated with me as just a practical solution. I loved my time with LF. 4x5, 57, and 8x10 are just amazing but unfortunately my health no longer allows me to carry around the camera/tripod/holders/cloth/etc. LF transparencies (including B&W) are just breathtaking. I also loved doing various antique processes with the big negatives as well. LF photography is a unique experience. I wish every photographer could experience it.

lambdasquirrel 4y ago
I don’t think it takes very long before new photographers notice the fall-off of light/focus and sense of environment in LF, and even MF. It is a point of envy. You can’t replicate it in post. No megapixel count on a smaller sensor will recreate it, and high quality full-frame CMOS sensors are already pricey as they are. It seems that in this realm, film remains king.

joshz404 4y ago

And also QT Luong's site: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/ https://www.largeformatphotography.info/

armadsen 4y ago

I love this analogy and it’s the same one I use when people dismissively ask me why I do Morse code, shoot film (including large format), print in the darkroom, listen to reel to reel tape, etc. It’s not that I’m a Luddite. I’m an audio/video-focused software engineer. It’s that the best hobbies aren’t necessarily practical.