4x5 Photo Shoot | Large Format Photography | Behind The Scenes

In this vlog, I show my setup for a large format environmental portrait shoot with artist Louisa Crispin.
The photos were shot using my MPP 4x5 large format camera with a 135mm lens.
The vlog shows the setup on the day for two shots - the first was done in Louisa's old greenhouse and the second, was a shot of her outside her studio.
I have also produced a promotional film for Louisa which shows her working methods as an artist capturing beautiful, intricate drawings of plants, insects and birds.
Louisa Crispin promo film • Louisa Crispin | Artis...
Louisa Crispin links:
website www.louisacrispinart.co.uk
Instagram @louisacrispin / louisacrispin
Facebook / louisacrispinart
Twitter @Louisa_Crispin / louisa_crispin
Gear used on this vlog:
MPP 4x5 large format camera (1950s)
Schneider Kreuznach 135mm f4.7 lens
Mark II Artist's Viewfinder app
Sekonic lightmeter amzn.to/2SEYgMt
Rotolight Neo amzn.to/2PtEr8E
Ilford FP4 film amzn.to/2PwbKZg
Fomapan 100 b&w film
Fuji Pro 160NS colour neg film
Manfrotto bag amzn.to/2rPbQlu
Manfrotto 055 tripod amzn.to/2wPVC04
Manfrotto XPRO ball head amzn.to/2rU15xb
Tetenal C41 kit amzn.to/2PcOT5I
Ilford ID11 developer amzn.to/2JlSeN4
Stearman Press SP445 tank amzn.to/2MOno0I
rocket blower amzn.to/2GwWxlI
Epson V850 scanner amzn.to/2HoSzwa
Archival 4x5 sleeves amzn.to/2OGx2mF
filmed on:
Panasonic GH5 amzn.to/2wSyrlN
Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 amzn.to/2wNSsdk
Rode Videomic Pro amzn.to/2GvTcDw
Zoom H1 recorder amzn.to/2KAjgQg
lav mic amzn.to/2KDJcuf
Zomei Variable ND Filter amzn.to/2NRUNr6
website www.craigprenti...
instagram @craig_prentis / craig_prentis
facebook / craigprentisphotography
Buy prints: www.craigprenti...
#largeformat #4x5photography #BTS

[@ruudmaas2480]

The black and wight are for my taste the best and beautiful !!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thanks

[@louisa_crispin]

Fascinating to see more of what you were up to while I was drawing in the studio. Love the monochrome (obviously!) especially in the Greenhouse. I can barely get in there in the summer but I've had some amazing apricots and figs from those plants. Must repair the door sometime ;) Do pop over in June for South East Open Studios when the garden is looking completely different.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks Louisa. It was a pleasure working with you. It's always great to see a creative process in action and I'll pop over again in the Summer to see you when the Open Studio is on. It will be good to have a look at all the figs and apricots in the greenhouse too. All the best, Craig

[@naturelvr123]

When you shield the film holder with the slide as you take the photo that is exactly what I do as well. Cheers, Paul

[@robertbergstrom7029]

I appreciate your deliberate, methodical, unhurried approach to your work. I have to remind myself to slow down, take my time, dont rush. Enjoy the moment.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thank you. The slow nature of this format works is quite appealing. You have to be considered and methodical in your approach but I find it a lot more satisfying when everything comes together. I usually muck something up on every shot but it's all a good learning experience.

[@jackegarland]

Incredible portraits, Craig! Love the calm and methodical nature of your videos. No hype, no crazy editing or loud music. Just intimate scenes showing what you do best. The whole process is inspiring. No one on KZbin does it better!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Great, thank you Jack. Very much appreciated!

[@alasdairdougall7868]

Hi Craig, Should I curse you or should I praise you? Well, I praise your work, which has a uniquely style, simple but beautifully shot. I curse you for I now know I will be heading down the %” x 4” route soon.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Go on, do it, you know you want to ;-)

[@fotolookconde]

Craig Prentis not bad having 1 tea to start and 1 more to finish the session... Hahaha🍵... but well deserved! Great shots!

[@domgreco7]

Love the portrait side of your photography. Beautiful Images.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thank you

[@martincutrone5816]

Well done session. I feel the black and white images were both the best, and prefer the first image.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Great, thanks for watching Martin

[@allysseriordan1073]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to make those 'behind the scenes' portraits videos. It's fascinating to see how you work and educative too. I'm especially glad for those videos as portraiture is something I'm looking to do more of next year. I feel like I'm picking things up by seeing you in action.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Allysse Riordan that’s good to hear. Hopefully there will be more behind the scenes stuff to come this year. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@JDubyafoto]

Great session! I prefer the black & white done in the greenhouse, but I also like the color version in front of her studio.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks John, I appreciate your comments.

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

Another intriguing behind the scenes look at your work Craig. There’s true craft in the way you create these images. Also your vlogs are fantastic with very clever shots to add to the narrative. As good as it gets on KZbin Craig well done. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thank you James, much appreciated. I'm really enjoying doing a bit of content like this, involving other people, some portraits here and there. I does complicate matters even further though, by introducing new elements. Sometimes things get overlooked like forgetting to focus up a static shot (doh!) but it's all part of the learning process. Have a lovely Christmas too! All the best.

[@markprice470]

more great content Craig. I think I preferred the first shot black and white because of the structure of the plants. fascinating watching the process and patience of both yourself and the subject :-)

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Cheers Mark, sometimes I think I've bitten off more than I can chew by adding so many elements but I see it as a challenge and it's good to push yourself.

[@PSTUTORIALSTV]

I really enjoyed this Craig, great concept using the dead and decaying plants in the greenhouse, I feel a lot of people would have overlooked this. Its my first time watching your content Craig, I look forward to enjoying more from now on. All the best Ben

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks for watching Ben, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I do like a greenhouse and if it's a bit neglected, then that's even better.

[@andrewfrost8866]

Always interesting, I’m a b&w guy myself, but I did love your colour images.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks Andrew, I'm glad you liked the images.

[@flipflopsleica]

B&Ws are great.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thanks

[@flipflopsleica]

​@@CraigPrentisPhoto I caught a quote of Charlie Waite on On Landscape video just released stating: "The Absence of Color Distills the Image to its Essential Qualities". PS A fantastic presentation from Charlie.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

that's a great quote. I'm going to have a look at video - thanks

[@louisa_crispin]

@@flipflopsleica I think I might have to steal that quote!

[@Joshbaldophotography]

Great work!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thank you

[@SYLVAINDURAND77]

Great Job! You're good!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thank you

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

I always like, shoot B&W . Amazing how sharp the pictures are. I have to get a large format camera. Thank you

[@archywiseman]

Have you gotten you camera yet?

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

@@archywiseman As a matter of fact I have, its a 4x5 rail camera which I found in a second hand shop. Brought the film and sadly that is where it has stopped for the moment. Things, family, life, have got in the road: But soon. Kind regards Brian

[@archywiseman]

Hope you make it out to shoot soon.

[@DonKittle]

Hey Craig, I really like the B&Ws in both cases. I just have to say that I really like the setup you did for each shot too - very interesting scene!

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks Don

[@markharris5771]

Absolutely stunning and extremely creative, I really enjoy seeing the care you take with each shot. I think you are the first person on KZbin I’ve seen use Fujifilm Pro 160ns. Even though it’s officially a portrait film is one of my favourite films for landscapes at 120. I would love a 4x5 but it’s too much for me with my disabilities, I use my scooter a lot for my digital wildlife including using it to get my tripod vertical. That’s not something I’d risk doing with a 4x5 and a reason why I still use a Canon 5DIII and 7DII, I know from experience they are almost indestructible. A brilliant video, absolutely fantastic in my book and everything about it is perfect and educational.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thank you Mark. Unfortunately, this is another film that Fujifilm has discontinued. I'm almost done with my box of Fuji Pro 160NS and it expired a year or so ago. Never mind, there are a few alternatives and I do like a bit of Ektar for landscapes. Thanks for your encouraging comments.

[@markharris5771]

Craig Prentis I hadn’t heard it had been discontinued, but I know in North America it’s always been difficult in some areas to get hold of it. I have about half a dozen rolls of 120 still in the fridge and was thinking I’d need to reorder. I shoot Ektar mainly at 35mm with my Olympus set up which I refer to as my "colour" camera as I usually shoot B&W at 35mm. I also like a Portra 160 for landscapes at 120, there’s something about muted colours that appeals to me.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

I think it's just old stocks of Pro 160NS being sold now on eBay etc. And yes, I love a bit of Portra and those beautiful muted colours.

[@michaelvincent121]

Love your content. Would have liked to see the first shot at f8 or less. Thank you for all these videos.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I just took some portraits with my 4x5 using my 210mm Nikkor. Came out great but I think I really want a 300mm for tighter portrait shots.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

135mm is the longest I have and it would be nice to have other lenses more in the 2-300mm range but I like the more 'normal' lenses for an environmental portrait as I can show more of the surroundings.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I also have a 135mm and it is perfect for environment portraiture like you are doing here.

[@josephasghar]

I’m in love with 4 x 5 …

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

...me too

[@craigfouche]

The Fuji film you used Craig, was that film you had kept in the fridge or freezer as it is no longer available.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Yes, it expired a couple of years ago and has been in my freezer. I'm down to the last few sheets.

[@stuartbaines2843]

Greenouse were best both good, better than outside shot. Perhaps the colour shot separates the sitter better but its very close.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thanks, yes I agree, the colour just adds a touch of separation but I think I prefer the b&w

[@randallstewart175]

I prefer the B&W, but I cannot help thinking that it would improve with greater separation between the lady and the surrounding plants. I would have tried a wider aperture to limit the zone of focus around the subject and defocus the plants a bit.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

@@randallstewart175 that's a fair point. I will usually go for maximum depth of field for landscapes but with portraits, a shallower plane of focus works well for a bit of separation.

[@michaelofmelrose]

Hey Craig I thought they were great. I perfer the green house and in b&w. The detail is fabulous, but that's whu\y you shoot 4x5.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

Thanks Michael, I'm glad you liked the b&ws. You've got to love those big negs!

[@gerardodalchielelueiro6818]

Hi Craig y sqw you use Foma what it result to you?? I use it on 120 roll film and after develop it is imposible to take it flat Best regards

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

I love using Fomapan. I haven't had any trouble with it staying flat. Thanks for watching.

[@grahammcarthur1794]

B&W for me.

[@CraigPrentisPhoto]

thanks

[@Foxglove963]

Feel the lady would have looked better with a hat on.

[@sorinmitrea5138]

The lady with blue boots from 5:35 seems to be Angela Merkel...

[@lolrofl5]

B&W shot on the first one. The colours in the first shot make her look sick. Too green.