Large Format tree portrait, before they cut it down.

I take the last portrait of Stampede Elm, the 125 year old American Elm tree before they have to cut it down. I photograph the tree using my Chamonix 4x5 camera and Kodak Tri-x film.
I also test out the new Intrepid 4x5 film holder.
And I put a new b&w film developer into use by Flic Film, the Classic MQ developer.
See more of my work here:
www.toddkorol.com
/ toddkorol

[@chriscorey5164]

Oh how i mourn for those grand old trees. What a fitting tribute, Todd. Lovely video.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Indeed, thanks.

[@davidottman9501]

It's wonderful to know that there is at least one person who actively goes out to preserve the memory of this living community landmark. Thank you Todd for doing what you do! I was relieved in a way to hear that this tree is ailing and needs to be taken down anyway. All the more reason to photograph it.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes nice to have a record of it. Thanks for watching.

[@camerachica73]

I agree with you - I use white for unexposed and black for exposed. I also ad a strip of tape across the top of the dark slide just to remind me - blue for unexposed and red for exposed, so I have a two step check. I couldn't imagine using the new slide if it's the other way around.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes the majority of large format photographers that I know do it this way. White for unexposed.

[@stephensmith8325]

Bach when studios were basically only using view cameras for product and fashion, that was the standard across the industry. It kept mistakes from happening. For me personally, the other way around (like Intrepid's cassettes) is more intuitive. Black is still dark and unexposed. White has had light change it...

[@toddkorolphoto]

@@stephensmith8325 yeah I was taught opposite, black means exposed goes to the Darkroom. But the solution is to just make two versions.

[@philipu150]

Probably like you, I wondered whether the white writing on the slide might create a ghost on the film, although that was surely tested. The only thing that comes to mind in this regard, is knowing that some number of LF photographers, searching a different look or less expensive stock, use film, such as X-ray film, which, I seem to recall, lack the anti-halation backing. Perhaps I'm mistaken. And I'm sure the Intrepid designers considered writing Unexposed instead. Anyway, nice video, and thanks for bringing these products to light. It's great to see new serious film photography products enter the market.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I haven’t noticed anything, but that was something I never thought of.

[@Dahrenhorst]

First I thought, pity that it's winter. But after seeing the pictures I now think that shooting this tree covered in snow supported to show its character probably the best.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks I was thinking the same thing, the snow really helped out on this shoot.

[@kennyhurtado]

Great Vid Todd!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks very much!!

[@stephen_mcateer]

I enjoyed this video, Todd. Interesting subject, great image quality, nice photographs and good editing. (The Chamonix looks like a seriously nice piece of engineering too.)

[@toddkorolphoto]

The Chamonix is really wonderful!

[@bernardkelly235]

I had a similar project in my own backyard and found it surprisingly difficult, even with LF, to achieve the effect I wanted. Trees, as simple a subject as they may seem, just don't always give it up. These photos of yours are much more successful, and I think one reason is the strong contrast, which brings out the ruggedness of the bark. (Another, of course, is your greater skill.) Re holders: I started out black to white, but at some point I decided white to black made more sense. Very enjoyable video, Todd. Thanks.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you, I approach it like I am doing a portrait of the tree.

[@michaelvincent6628]

So glad you got there, I was literally at ‘the camera store’ getting film for this exact reason when I heard on the radio they had already cut it down. 😢

[@toddkorolphoto]

Oh bummer, I was kinda shocked when I came home and it was gone...

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great video. Cheers from Norway 👍🙂

[@toddkorolphoto]

🙏 Thanks.

[@stuartflipflops]

I too was confused on white or black for an exposed sheet when I started large format. Asked an old timer who stated think of "white as a virgin film sheet unexposed". Glad to see the documentation of a tree / history now gone.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you.

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

So beautiful,very interesting video,many thanks Todd!!!Sacred Trees Kodama!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks very much!

[@01r1sh]

Nice work. American Elms can live to circa 300 years old so seems a real shame they are killing it to provide a hockey arena. Recently the regional council cut down a circa 400 year old Yew tree in our small village located in the West of Scotland. They didn't alert the community council prior to doing so.

[@toddkorolphoto]

That’s very sad to hear.

[@Autorange888]

@@toddkorolphoto The text below your vid says they HAVE to cut the old elm down, you accepted that without questioning it. Those morons are like the missionaries at the beginning of christianisation in Europe, they blindly ordered sacred oaks to be cut down because these were respected and loved by the people. What is the difference with the destruction of old venerable trees today?

[@kostyafedot551]

I photographed centuries old oaks in Milton, Ontario which greedy and careless municipality/developers have killed in dozens over fifteen years I have witnessed it. Such a crime, but it is so Canada.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Makes you wonder sometimes.

[@ducgerard2361]

Very good video

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you very much!

[@mattallengroupatREAL]

I use to love Tri X in D76, I shot it in a Leica, Pentax 6x7, and Sinar 8x10. Filter factors hurt my head now,😅 im M11 from here on out!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Hard to beat the M11, 😉

[@FirstFotoMate]

Прекрасное видео, Тодд) Вам нужен мой зеркальный видоискатель для деревянной камеры) 😜

[@pstraghan]

I'm very new to LF, weeks in, I'm in UK, when I heard white means exposed and dark means not exposed this makes complete sense to me. I've noticed all the US guys are the opposite, but doesn't matter, each will decide!

[@toddkorolphoto]

My point is do what you want, just do the same thing each time and don't mix it up. To me white means take it outside into the light and use, dark means the emulsion has been exposed take it to the darkroom.

[@jaswatts]

Surely they could find another spot for the rink?

[@toddkorolphoto]

I think it’s a billion dollar project.

[@The_golden_charlie]

In England, a 550 year old oak tree, called Darwin's tree is to make way for a road. Some care. Some don't seem to care.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Would love to come and photograph it.

[@The_golden_charlie]

​@@toddkorolphotoit's in Shrewsbury. 100,000 people signed petition.. BBC News. Some do care 😊

[@RostykMakushak]

It's a great project! Perhaps you are aware of another large format photo artist - Mitch Epstein. One of his past projects was dedicated to photographing trees in New York. He published a book called New York Arbor (Steidl) over 10 years ago I believe.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Indeed I have that book, it’s wonderful. I also saw a few of his prints that were massive at Paris Photo in 2019, really amazing. Love his photography, thanks.

[@eloquentlight]

Really nice vision, tree portraits really remind me of Robert Adams, too. Lovely!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you, that’s a great compliment. Love Adams.

[@burneshollyman2621]

Great video and sad about the tree. I have a Chamonix 45 N2 now because of your channel! Where did you get your dark camera cloth with the elastic band around it? I have looked all over for a good one.

[@toddkorolphoto]

From the View Camera Store. They’re great.

[@burneshollyman2621]

@@toddkorolphoto Thanks! I just ordered one, eh!

[@stephensmith8325]

Enjoyed the video, Todd! Why did you expose the Tri-X at 320 ISO?

[@toddkorolphoto]

I was using Tri-x 320 iso film in sheet film. That was the box speed of the film.

[@jonathanhotopf1823]

I noticed that you also had the geared bento head, do you use an extra thick arca plate as I’m finding the knobs to be too close to my camera? Many trees around me are being chopped down here as well, I too like to photograph them before the chop.

[@toddkorolphoto]

No just the plate that came with the head.

[@distagon6052]

What meter did you use?

[@toddkorolphoto]

I use a Sekonic L-508

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Great images, sorry about the tree hope they give the tree to wood workers that can make product. Remember the Brits drive one the other side,lol

[@toddkorolphoto]

That’s a great idea!

[@crappfoto]

They should better transplant it !