Converging Verticals - An Easy Fix!

[@grampadoug100]

For those of us who shoot 135 & 120 having this creative function in our toolbag can make a big difference. In William Mortensen's "Projection" book he describes how he uses this technique in head shot portraits to elongate or shorten the face. There are many uses that this technique can be applied to or just to be creative.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks for you comment, Doug. I agree ☝️

[@liveinaweorg]

Fascinating! I wasn't aware of this technique; so much to learn. Thanks John. Am I the only person who sees a person where the middle window is and a person bending over in the place where the right window is when the negative is projected?

[@Scott_R_LePage]

John, your calm and comforting presentation style, along with your technical expertise, has created a unique teaching style that I eagerly look forward to with each new episode. Your book, which I've been using for about a year and still refer to often, has proven to be a valuable investment in my learning journey. Cheers, Scott

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, Scott!

[@raybeaumont7670]

One technique I don't need John ........ I have 24mm and 45mm TS lenses in my bag of tricks. I also use large format cameras with the same options. But I did tilt my paper many years ago when using standard wide angle lenses. Best wishes from The Rhondda.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Ah, a fellow paper tilter :)

[@user-qm8sx8ne8g]

Simple but effect and well explaíned without the need for unnecessary technicalities

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, OJ!

[@rustyschackleford5800]

This is why I love large format photography. You can do the same thing in-camera.

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

In camera works better

[@CP23798]

Didn't know you could do this. It makes sense now. Thanks!

[@SilntObsvr]

Some of us avoid converging verticals by shooting large format cameras with front rise. We can also get flowers near the tripod and distant mountains in sharp focus by tilting the lens board, or otherwise control the plane of focus and the perspective vanishing points with shifts and swings as well as rise, fall, and tilts. Of course, I'm sure you know all that and I presume you orient your videos to 35 mm because it's much more accessible for novice photographers -- and I think I recall you even using a shift lens on your SLR at one point to avoid the converging verticals. IMO, though, the darkroom fix (applying reverse keystoning by tilting the easel -- a technique I first encountered in the early 1970s) is asking for loss of sharpness, because you don't have anything like the depth of field under the enlarger that you'd have had out in the world.

[@naturelvr123]

Very good advice . I like to check my border to the image to be sure both are as straight with each other. But, your advice is great. :)

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks for this, good advice!

[@ClaudioCasparrino]

Thanks!

[@RoelQva]

Great tip! Love your work!

[@Austinite333]

Or tall tripod and step stool. 😊 wait how about a classic 6 foot /2m high step ladder with a ball head attached to the top step🤔? I much appreciate your tutorials John. Thanks.

[@raymondtan2415]

Or use a longer lens and step further back to encompass the entire building but it will change the perspective of the scene.

[@PictorialPlanet]

🤣

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

I have an enlarger where the head swings left/right and fixes the issue. Disappointed I thought you would know a way to to tilt the lens to achieve focus all over. Mine has this built in so no need to stop way down. Schmflug Principle on a view camera. Probably have the name off, but it is close. It is a Phillips PCS130 for 35 mm to 6x7 if you can find all the proper condensers. I do not use books either because the head swings.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Mine tilts the head and the lens too but this is a much easier method. I like demonstrating easy ways to achieve things. BTW, even if your head and lens tilts you still need to tilt the paper on the base board.

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

@@PictorialPlanet no need to use book unless you are trying to correct convergence in two directions. And I forgot the top get expanded or the bottom shrunk with converging vertical requiring a burn or dodge for even exposure.

[@randallstewart1224]

Most Durst enlargers using medium format and larger, from the early 1970s and later, have the capacity to independently tilt the negative stage and the lens board separately. This allows you to maintain focus across the image and correct distortion without having to tilt the paper easel. That said, I do not think I've actually used the technique more than a half dozen times in 40 years. However, when you need it, nothing else will do.

[@thevalleyofdisappointment]

Now if you can tell us how to correct barrel or pin cushion distortion I WILL be impressed 🤪

[@stephendeakin2714]

How about and I've never done it so this is speculation, bending the corners of the paper up or down, how the heck one would do that I've no idea, it would however correct barrel or pincushion. I'm just pleased John has explained so clearly how to correct converging verticals without tilting or swinging the head and lens, thanks John

[@PictorialPlanet]

@stephendeakin2714 cheers, Stephen.

[@stratocactus]

@@stephendeakin2714 just a guess, but maybe there are correction lenses you could mount under the enlarger lens? Never heard of those though.

[@nickm8134]

Oh - this brings back memories! Sadly no darkroom/enlarger these days, though I can do this in camera with my Horseman MF.

[@raymondtan2415]

Does tilting the easel change the exposure of the image between the top (closer to lens) and bottom (further away)?

[@PictorialPlanet]

The amount of tilt didn't make enough difference to be noticeable. It's only an inch or so.

[@hanapen7681]

Thanks !!!!!