I thought to myself, “now, this is real photography here” when I saw a friend mine’s photographs from a spur of the moment trip to Yosemite last weekend. His photographs were made with a speed graphic camera which is 4 inch by 5 inch format film camera (often seen in movies as press cameras), and the results were “OMG, there’s no way I can get this with my digital cameras!!”, I had to scream at him. I’m talking great shadow details…well, details, period. Ammmmazing details. The last time he used this camera was over 7 years ago, but once a great piece of equipment is always a great piece of equipment (except the world of computers…). He has ordered a 20 x 30 black and white print, and I can’t wait to see it. I miss my wet darkroom (I used to live in there). It’s funny that just the other day another friend of mine called me up after she visited a photography exhibit at SB Museum of Art saying, “Let’s go out with my 4×5 camera and make some photographs!! I’m so inspired”. She has this 4×5 camera in her closet somewhere and hasn’t used it for over 20 years!! Okay, Gigi let’s!
This is my little digital camera copied version of his original print; shot on a picnic table at a parking lot. Mind you, not a proper way of making Flat Art copy, but can’t you tell the greatness of this “original” shot?? No?
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An Occupational Hazard: Rene risked his life to get these shots in spite of the Bear Warning.
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Moshi Moshi Kenji 