2011-10-24 // 22:31:28
jcoldslabs
I have a Speed Graphic and the focal plane shutter allows me to use all kinds of lenses on it. I have old projector lenses, magnifying glasses, anything that will focus an image I have tried to use.

At the moment I am working on building my own 8x10 camera from plywood and scraps. It may not work, but I already have a cheap lens that will cover 8x10 so we'll see what happens. I'm not the best at working with tools, so cutting wood and making a light-tight box will be a challenge.

Also, I think the phrase "really good photographer" should apply to someone who takes really good pictures, even if the camera is a cell phone. Many large format photographers are very good technicians, but the artistry of their vision gets drowned in a sea of technical expertise.

^ 8x10 is still a dream for me,. too. i got myself some shoes of 8x10 color film (kodak, not polaroid) some years ago and still keep it in my fridge..maybe an 8x10 pinhole will do it..and then self-development with color chemicals...someday.

2011-10-24 // 21:05:03
jcoldslabs
Improvised? Even better. While I am fascinated by the technical aspects of photography, I enjoy it best when I let all that go. Using expired Polaroid film helped to move me away from the myth of "perfection" some photographers strive for. If the film is already flawed you can't make it perfect!

^ i like my improvised cameras (i once build a fuji-instax back for the 600SE) and i´m quite good at guessing exposure times by now. "trust the force", luke..so to say. :-) i´m not too sure about perfection. i guess a really good photographer who works very accurate can do perfect pictures...but i´m far from both ( and to lazy to be accurate) so i just have to do with non-perfect..and see th beauty in that. 

2011-10-24 // 20:54:39
jcoldslabs
It looks like a little city.

Did you have to account for bellows extension factor on these close-ups?

^ i don´t even have a light meter. i´m just guessing. i´m working with an improvised 4x5 camera, with which i use the optics from the 600SE. so yeah, i tend to give it a bit more light, if i´m doing macros.