Being In The Landscape Is Never Wasteful | Zion Fall Photography - Episode 2

[@selzzaW]

The rock striations shot is absolutely gorgeous, fantastic work!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Robert!

[@d-nd-n5028]

two things you will see many experienced large format photographers do: cover the holder with the darkcloth when removing/inserting the darkslide and then leave the darkcloth on the camera. Too many times, a failing light trap on a holder has caused issues like that. This is especially true since new roll film holders and new film holders aren't being made commercially any longer, so all the materials are getting older, and some are failing. Second, most of us will use a compendium shade to shade the lens. While you do not have the sun beating onto the front of the lens, it is still exposed to the sky, which is a strong light source compared to the image area. It can cause a loss of contrast in the scene. I hope this helps, as you are a relatively new 4x5 user. I like the images you are creating!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Those are a couple of great tips, thank you for that! Funny that you mention covering the camera/holder with the dark cloth; in a future video you'll see me do that very thing, ha! Too bad that intuition didn't kick in on this photo.. ☹️ The lens shade is a great point, I've had a couple recently that could have benefitted from that, I'll have to keep an eye out for one I can slip into the camera bag. Thanks!

[@ianbartlett4083]

Oh man! Chris, those light leaks - how frustrating; but well done on rescuing one of them. I have a Horseman 6x9 on a Horseman camera - each of the 5 rolls I’ve tried have been horrendous. Gave up in the end - it’s now in a box somewhere…. Those striations are extraordinary - well seen!!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Ian! Sorry to hear, that's a bummer about the 6x9. I've looked at those a few times myself - I suppose I better double check for good seals if I ever buy one.. thanks for the heads up!

[@joelbenguigui2016]

Good job on correcting the light leak! Composition n.2 is much more interesting to me! Something about rock formations, erosion, passing of time and that skin-like aspect. Cheers mate!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Joel! Agreed, geology was never a particularly strong subject of mine in school but man I sure find that stuff interesting now, haha. I think it's definitely the deep time aspect that fascinates me most!

[@ruudmaas2480]

The image with the Z shape I like the most.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Ruud!

[@podhoncisty]

Beautiful images, I love Velvia 😍😍😍

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thank you!

[@mdbdoc]

Love that second image!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thank you!

[@lewisday2239]

Love that Rock shot Chris!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Lewis!

[@randallstewart175]

Lucky timing on getting to the Fall color at Zion. I've tried to do this a few times over several decades, once with great success, once with total failure, and the rest a mixed bag. Those vine maples turning bright red just make my day. I'd love to be there with him, and I hope I have one more lucky trip in me for 2023.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Randall! It can definitely be a challenge to time the color just right, and some years just aren't as good as others but we were fortunate that this year was particularly good it seemed. I've certainly missed the timing myself a few times and have had to adjust my plans. Hopefully 2023 will be another good year!

[@carbonejack]

Spectacular images. The details and color are wonderful. Zion is such and incredible place. I haven't been back since I've expanded my camera collection. Time for a revisit. Love your videos.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Jack! Agreed, get those new cameras to Zion!!

[@bruceharvey6428]

Damn, Chris, that last photo of the rock striations is fantastic. So well done. And interesting that you mentioned your recent emphasis on these diagonal compositions, I was thinking the same thing, in particular a fallen log with leaves that was composed on a diagonal from some while ago. Great work!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Bruce! I suppose it's a bit of a theme I'm exploring lately. Not that diagonal compositions haven't been fantastic since way before my time, but it seems like I notice those arrangements in the landscape more often these days. Interesting how the things a person sees can evolve over time, or so it feels to me!

[@jeffwilliams5653]

Wonderful segment Chris! The "Z" rocks are sublime and an excellent addition to the portfolio. I am happy to see you trying the RVP50 in 120, and the light leaks must be maddening given your second chance! I use the 6x7 and 6x9 Horseman backs and have not had this issue. It is interesting that the leak has the same regular, rectangular shape to it in each exposure and same placement - not random. Keep in mind that the back "sees" the image upside down and backwards from your light table. I think it is indeed dark slide related - if those seals are weak and you had that side in direct light, the act of removing or inserting the slide may have caused some reflection off the shiny slide. The rate of insertion/retraction may also be a factor as previously suggested. Your recent videos don't show as much of the actual image taking as they have in past years, so hard to armchair quarterback any further. Glad that this was the only roll affected so hopefully this all moot!!!!. Keep up the great work Chris and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Jeff! Fortunately I've got a few other rolls of Velvia from this trip that turned out 😀 Interesting you mentioned reflections off of the dark slide, I was wondering if that was a possibility as well but hard to know if I'll ever truly figure out what happened; I've got more investigative work to do on the film back before the next outing so it's possible something will still come up but so far nothing obvious. Great point about recent videos not showing as much of the camera setup and operation, I might have to start incorporating more of that back in...

[@renepirolt]

Really great images, and fantastic video. Sorry about your light leaks but glad you were able to rescue the image.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Rene! Fortunately I think that was the worst of the light leak issues for this trip!

[@brunosalazar8088]

Wonderful as always!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Bruno!

[@berthaduniverse]

So Chris, another all too short, but oh so sweet, chapter. I'm going to guess the next one will be on shooting wildlife (bighorn) on 4x5!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Haha! Sadly I didn't get any sheep portraits this time.. but it seems I run into them often enough the last few years, maybe next time I'll have to remember that and make an attempt 🤣

[@fairwayfrank]

I hate light leaks, but they do seem to happen, and at the most random and awful times. Since it was just the one roll, well, weird. My RB67 did that on 2 rolls once. I didn't replace seals, but just cleaned everything up (I suspect the rotating back wasn't secured) and it hasn't been an issue since. I did replace seals on my Bronica backs, tedious, but well worth it. Glad you saved the image though, it's a nice one. We all like the rock striation images. You might need to visit Valley of Fire, they're everywhere. Another fine production.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Frank! Seems I may not ever know what happened to that roll, which is unfortunate, but oh well. Who knows what kind of goofy thing I might have done, so I'll triple check it again for leaks and just move on I suppose. Valley of Fire is definitely on my list; sad how many times I've driven past it and haven't stopped but I'll rectify that soon!

[@tedphillips2951]

Another really nice video. I really like the sandstone shot ! I have a relatively inexpensive 6x12 back, still costly, with knob crank & no counter but it works well. No light issues so far but still need a lot more time with it.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Ted! I bet I looked at that same back before deciding on the Horseman, I think Shen-Hao and DaYi made versions I was checking out. I guess in the end I went for the deluxe version that comes with leaks.. haha

[@RandyPollock]

Beautiful images. I love Velvia 50 and I'm a sucker for pano shots...need to consider getting me one for my 4x5.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Randy! Very much agree.. it's interesting how switching aspect ratio can change your creative mindset, it's been a lot of fun to compose with!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Nice one Chris. That’s a cool aspect ratio on the panoramic camera. I’m glad you were able to save the exposure and take advantage of the conditions! Great photo

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Brian! Agreed, I think the 2:1 ratio strikes a nice balance, I know 6x17 is really popular also but I feel like it's a bit too wide at times. I also don't see as much 6x12 out there so it's been fun to buck the trend a little, ha.

[@tonysantophotography]

Hi Chris. One consideration regarding your light leak could be static electricity. I’ve had similar issues with previous metal holders where if I pull the dark slide in or out too fast, I generated enough spark to spoil the image. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@jimhofman3179]

I’ve had static issues before, but it looked more like blue lightning on the negs.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Haha, I never EVER in a million years would have thought of that, but it makes total sense. The metal dark slides make a really fun cartoonish noise when you do that though 😆 Thanks Tony!

[@paulhimle]

Is the only solution to move slow or can you use an anti static strap somehow?

[@tonysantophotography]

@@paulhimle That’s an interesting idea and worthwhile exploring. 😎

[@李怡-n3j]

nice shot👍

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thank you!

[@jimhofman3179]

I have the same Horseman film holder. I bought it in Shanghai about 2 years ago and it has performed perfectly. I checked all of the light seals carefully before I bought it and they looked good. You may want to check the seal foam to see if it aged poorly.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Jim, I'll take a closer look at my copy and see what I find. It's just weird that it was only this one roll; I've shot probably a dozen others through it, even a couple after this one with no issues so this one had me stumped. Can't imagine what else would be though so I bet you're probably right

[@alfredanheier4779]

Those are a couple of nice shots. Regarding the light leaks: from the pattern of those leaks I'd suspect the felt ribbon in the bottom of the back has worn out. It has to be the 6x12 back, since your 4x5 shot is fine. Bellows leak would also be more likely in the middle of the frame, or all over.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Alfred, agreed it's hard to imagine what else it could be; I'll have to take a closer look with a pen light or something and check the seals again

[@andrewfindlayphoto]

Sorry your plagued with light leaks. If the dark slide and the back is leaking it could be lump of something on the surface where the back/dark slide butts on to the camera. Good luck finding the problem. Nice rescue of the image 😁

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Andrew! I've got a small pen light that's bright and good for sticking in small places, once I find some new batteries I'll have to check all the seals and mounting points on the camera to see what's going on. Fingers crossed I'll figure it out before the next happening.. ha!

[@philipculbertson55]

Great video Chris. I think the decision to crop the rock in the first shot was the right one. It definitely simplified the scene. I was curious though. It is unusual to see you shoot six frames on the same composition. It was a fortunate decision since it gave you opportunities to salvage one where the light leak was less significant. My question was, what made you decide to shoot the entire roll on the same scene with the same composition? Changing light or ripples as water flow reduced?

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Philip! You're right, it's a bit odd to shoot the entire roll like that without adjusting anything, but in this case it was just the changing lighting conditions that prompted me to do so. It's harder to see with all the light leaks being such a problem but each exposure had slightly different results in the highlights as the sun filtered through the clouds differently. It was just dumb luck that it happened to be one of the exposures with the softest highlights that was least affected by the light leak!

[@tim31415]

Light leaks are always a pain. But a light leak on a roll of precious, precious Velvia makes me cry. Does that camera/roll film holder use a Graflex back? Nice shot of the sandstone. I always like catching some Z's.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Tim! It certainly does hurt a little to see V50 die.. haha. Indeed my 6x12 back and the Chamonix rear standard is Graflok compatible

[@tim31415]

I'm travelling for the holidays and can't check my roll film backs. But that leak may be coming from the interface between the back and body rather than just the back itself. Velvia is still alive. I just picked up 3 rolls of 35mm at about 35 bucks a pop. I also got a 5 pack of 120 off of Amazon for 66 bucks. It shipped from Japan and supposedly got delivered, but the tracking info doesn't fill me with confidence. I'll see when I get home after the new year.

[@tim31415]

I just picked up a 5 pack of V50 in 120 off of Amazon. About 66 bucks. Apparently comes direct from Japan.

[@MattWeddis]

The light leak is a bit of a mystery. At first I thought it might’ve been some sort of fogging on the roll itself but it appears to be in the same location on each frame. Is it possible that the 6x12 back wasn’t properly attached? That might explain why it was just that roll. If you had footage of taking each shot, you could see if the time the darkslide was out correlated to the intensity of the leak on the image.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Matt, it's totally possible I made a mistake while mounting the film back on the camera. Unfortunately I didn't film enough b-roll of using the camera, something I need to fix for future videos anyway. Oh well, I suppose may never know what actually happened ☹️

[@califmike2003]

Chris what tripod do you use ? and what ball head ?

[@ChrisDarnell]

I'm currently running around with a pair of Really Right Stuff TFC-24L Mk2 legs, paired with a BH-40 LR II ballhead, also from RRS. It's been good so far, super light and super sturdy

[@sam7479]

Where are you buying velvia 50 in sheets? Thanks.

[@alanklein5730]

I get mine from Japan. 20 sheet box of 4x5 Velvia 50s runs about $160.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Hi Scott, unfortunately lately I haven't been buying them.. I was getting it from Amazon Japan but it's been unavailable for quite a while now so I've been shooting through my stockpile.. once it's gone it's gone 😕

[@paulhimle]

Guess your going to have to skip Iceland and head to Japan instead.

[@ChrisDarnell]

@@paulhimle Maybe I can talk some sense into FujiFilm..😂

[@sam7479]

@@alanklein5730 Thanks. Is there a retailer in Japan you're purchasing from? I used to get it from Amazon Japan but they haven't had it in a while.