In the ever-evolving world of photography, it’s easy to get swept up in the latest technological advancements and forget the value of tools from the past.
Recently, I’ve been drawn to a century-old technology that is profoundly reshaping my creative process: the Graflex large format single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. These venerable cameras are not just historical artifacts but powerful instruments that have brought a new dimension to my work and key projects.
I currently own a 1927 Graflex Series B 4×5 SLR and a Series D 4×5 SLR. The main difference between these two cameras is that I can swap out lenses on the Series D. I modified the back of the Series D to be a standard Graflock back, allowing me to use modern film and plate holders without needing the special slotted holders, which can be difficult to find. Also, my Series D has a rotating back, whereas the Series B is landscape only.
I am using the Series D for a new line of wild horse photography contact prints that I am super excited about. I will be talking more about this in the future and sharing my latest 4×5 negatives and contact prints with you.
Explore how you can support my Pictorial Whispers Project and become part of a community dedicated to celebrating art and healing. By joining as a member, you will gain exclusive access to several unique benefits, including behind-the-scenes updates, early access to view new works, exclusive access to me, and much more. Your support helps sustain this deeply personal project, allowing me to continue creating meaningful art that resonates with memory, loss, and renewal themes. Join me today and become a part of the journey.
At a high level, I am using Ilford HP5 for my primary negative medium and when coupled with the unique focal plane shutter of the Graflex SLR cameras, I can get shutter speeds up to an astounding 1/1000 of a second. I am using vintage glass ranging from 6 inches to an astounding 24 inches that happens to be relatively fast with f/4 and f/5.6 apertures. Being able to look down the chimney at the ground glass and create my compositions of the wild horses in real time with my left thumb hovering over the shutter release has been a game-changing experience for me and I think I am creating my best work ever. More to follow on this very soon as I create new prints.
I am building my muscle memory and getting my workflow dialed in right now. Currently, I am making 4×5 palladium-toned Kallitype contact prints on 8×10 paper. I make one print for my handmade book series, and then I double-mat and optically weight another print for an intimate viewing experience.
I am having Jerry Gordon (Graflex Garage) rebuild a Graflex Press 5×7 camera for me, like the one in the 1911 photo below. I plan on using this camera and a wide array of vintage lenses for my historic mills and covered bridges project. More to follow when I receive the camera and start using it.
I will share a few photos of my Series B and Series D directly below.
My Series B 4×5 SLR
My Series D 4×5 SLR with Rotating Back
Let’s explore the unique benefits of the Graflex large format SLR cameras, how they differ from regular view cameras and the intimate charm of smaller contact prints.
The Distinct Advantages of Graflex Large Format SLR Cameras
With their robust construction and distinct design, Graflex large format SLR cameras offer several unique advantages over modern view cameras. Here are some of the key benefits that have impacted my work:
Reflex Viewing and Focusing:
Unlike traditional view cameras that require composing and focusing on a ground glass at the back of the camera, Graflex SLRs allow for reflex viewing. This means you can view and focus directly through the lens using a mirror and ground glass viewfinder, providing a more intuitive and accurate composition process. This real-time view enhances precision, particularly with shallow depth-of-field images. I have found this seemingly small thing to be a huge and transformative feature for my wild horse photography.
Portability and Flexibility:
While still substantial in size, Graflex SLR cameras are generally more portable than many large-format view cameras. This increased mobility allows for greater flexibility in shooting locations, enabling more spontaneous and diverse compositions. Also, these cameras because they are basically a box are easy to transport and only take a few seconds to setup and be ready to use in the field.
Faster Operation:
The Graflex SLR’s mirror mechanism allows for quicker setup and shooting than the slower, more methodical process required by view cameras. This speed is especially beneficial when capturing fleeting moments or working with live subjects. I have found this to be a game changer for my wild horse photography.
Historical Aesthetic:
The Graflex cameras’ vintage aesthetic often adds a layer of authenticity and timelessness to your photographs. For example, my tools and methods support my narratives and artist statements and become part of the story. The unique qualities of the vintage lenses and the camera’s mechanics can impart a distinct look that modern digital or even newer film cameras can’t replicate.
Discover how you can support my Pictorial Whispers Project and gain exclusive access to unique membership benefits.
The Intimacy of Smaller Contact Prints
Another significant aspect of my work with the Graflex SLR cameras is the creation of smaller contact prints. These prints, made directly from the large format negatives without enlargement, have an intimate and personal quality that is both unique and deeply affecting. I use everything from modern sheet film to paper negatives and handmade glass plates for wet or dry collodion negatives and positives.
On a side note, if you have been following me over the years, then you already know that I was fairly well known for my huge large-format silver gelatin darkroom prints. While I still love and appreciate large prints, I am going in a different direction with my personal work now.
Here are several reasons why this approach is so positive:
Tactile Connection:
Smaller contact prints invite viewers to hold and examine them closely, creating a tactile connection that larger prints often lack. This physical interaction makes the viewing experience more personal and engaging.
Enhanced Detail and Sharpness:
Contact prints maintain the full resolution and sharpness of the original negative. The direct transfer from negative to print ensures that no detail is lost, resulting in incredibly crisp and detailed images that draw viewers in. It’s not just about being sharp because I use a lot of 19th century soft focus lenses and I have found the small 4×5, 5×7, whole plate, and even 8×10 contact prints to be exquisite.
Sense of Scale:
The modest size of contact prints encourages a more intimate viewing experience. Instead of being overwhelmed by a large print, viewers are invited to come closer and spend more time with the image, fostering a deeper connection with the work. Another benefit is that I can display more of my work now. For example, I can display about 15 to 20 of my 8×10 contact prints where I previously had one of my large 40×50 silver gelatin prints.
Historical Resonance:
Smaller contact prints harken back to early photographic practices when photographers often created small, precious prints. This historical resonance adds another layer of meaning and context to the images, enriching the viewer’s experience.
Collectibility:
The personal scale of contact prints makes them ideal for collection and preservation. They can be easily stored, handled, and shared, enhancing their value as keepsakes and art objects. I have gone to making handmade books of my 4×5, 5×7, whole plate (6.5 x 8.5), and 8×10 contact prints. This has been a huge benefit in terms of experiencing the artwork in a new way and also in terms of storage. I feel free to create new work now and I worry about the culling process later.
Explore how you can support my Pictorial Whispers Project and become part of a community dedicated to celebrating art and healing. By joining as a member, you will gain exclusive access to several unique benefits, including behind-the-scenes updates, early access to view new works, exclusive access to me, and much more. Your support helps sustain this deeply personal project, allowing me to continue creating meaningful art that resonates with memory, loss, and renewal themes. Join me today and become a part of the journey.
Transformative Impact on Key Projects
Integrating Graflex large format SLR cameras into my workflow has had a transformative impact on my key projects. One notable example is my ongoing project, Pictorial Whispers, where the historical and aesthetic qualities of the Graflex align perfectly with the themes of memory and introspection. The camera’s unique capabilities allow me to capture images that evoke a sense of timelessness and intimacy, aligning seamlessly with the project’s emotional core.
By combining the precision of reflex viewing with the intimate scale of contact prints, my work has gained a new depth and resonance. The Graflex cameras have not only changed how I create but also how my audience engages with and experiences my art.
Conclusion
The 100-year-old Graflex large format SLR cameras have brought a remarkable transformation to my photography. Their unique advantages over regular view cameras, coupled with the charm of smaller contact prints, have revitalized my creative process and enhanced the emotional impact of my latest work.
I find myself wanting to spend more time creating in the field and making new images because the process is so simple, easy, and fun.
By embracing these timeless tools, I’ve discovered a new dimension of intimacy and personal connection in my art, proving that sometimes, looking to the past can lead to the most profound creative breakthroughs.
