close iframe icon
Banner

Speedgraphic 5x4" press camera



behind the lens badge

I have had the pleasure of using a number of different plate cameras (the best in my opinion were the Linhoff 5x4" and 7x5". That being said - this was a workho...
Read more

I have had the pleasure of using a number of different plate cameras (the best in my opinion were the Linhoff 5x4" and 7x5". That being said - this was a workhorse for many in the newspaper industry. This is shown with the rangefinder attachment as well as the top viewfinder. There is also a fold down viewer that was used in conjunction with the metal frame that can be seen poking above the lens plate
Read less

Views

798

Likes

Awards

People's Choice in Photos of cameras Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
quincyfloyd PiPiPiP RhondaPoet peterwardsnr vincentcorbin chuckrickman gabajo +22
Top Choice
MargaretMika AfterMidnightStudio Mirza_Cengic Badgrandad gatorbait38 Jasonboydduncan gabri +11
Absolute Masterpiece
bonjoy LAGIORDANO APdesigns stevenwatkins Alicja reginarosin pietnel +7
Peer Award
Svenergy72 stefanschug rushewallace JH172 ArmandRoby georgehewitson photoABSTRACTION +5
Outstanding Creativity
TommyGurgul MarliaPhotography DavidChristianPhotography alef0 Hof66 chrisjarvis buzzinga +2
All Star
AntipodesNZ FotoPhantasia janland hugh tmtburke
Superior Skill
mcampi daniyyeln mitpjenkeating Dacemac
Magnificent Capture
Alana1971 ChrisKIELY paulwhite_5859

Top Ranks

Emerging From Shadows Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Emerging From Shadows Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1

Categories


3 Comments |
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots June 12, 2015
Great capture!
Bobo2k
 
Bobo2k July 22, 2015
Congratulations on people's choice in my challenge this was one of my favourites..
Judson_Graham
 
Judson_Graham July 22, 2015
congratulations on winning peoples choice
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

The 'set' for this photograph is a simple table with a black cloth backdrop in room in our house which is really otherwise under-utilised.

Time

I took the shot in the early evening to reduce the impact of ambient light and used a single spot. The Speedgraphic had been sitting unused in my basement and I had brought it up to photograph, along with a number of other camera's which date back to my youth and early days of photography.

Lighting

Single spot, dialed down to prevent too much harshness

Equipment

My Canon 500D has about 5 years of use on it and it certainly has been surpassed in the market place by many higher spec models. The camera was fitted with an 18 - 55mm kit lens, again not best out there but still working well enough and I have never believed that the story is told by the equipment. I use an old, ultra stable (and truly heavy) Linhoff tripod with a ball head - this was originally matched with a Linhoff 5x7" plate camera. No flash in this case

Inspiration

The image probably says quite a bit about me - as I approach 65 I think I looking back in review - seeing where the path started and where it has taken me. I am not unduly age conscious and in fact value the experience that age has brought - this may explain why I didn't want to brush all the dust away and polish this camera into something it no longer is.

Editing

Lightroom 6 enabled me to balance the exposure values and take a couple of dust spots off the background.

In my camera bag

My 500D with kit lenses 18 - 55mm and 55 - 250mm; A Canaon 50mm 1.8; a Tamron 105mm 2.5mm; a Tamron SP500mm mirror lens and a Tamron 2x convertor. A Canon 580EXII flash, tabletop tripod; a cable release and a small selection of filters (ND's and circular polarisers). Of course there is always room for 7D MkII to mark the 65th ;)

Feedback

I am not sure that I have any special insights other than my working philosophy - get it right in the camera as much as possible so that post processing isn't your main source of artistry. Photography is about light and using it to create a relationship between the subject and the eyes viewing the finished print or screen image.

See more amazing photos, follow billmcphail

It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.