Natalie

In the 8th video in our #MyFilmStory series we meet large format photographer Natalie Oberg.
Natalie is a woman of many talents - highly skilled in both traditional and VFX art, she is also an internationally published psychologist, in-demand wildlife cinematographer and a highly acclaimed film photographer.
Her work showcases a visual and emotional connection to the beauty and fragility found in the natural world. In this video we join her in the mountains of Snowdonia, Wales, with her 8x10 Chamonix camera and some ILFORD Delta 100 large format black and white sheet film as she documents the landscape.
Photography, narration and editing: Natalie Oberg / natalieanalog
Director of Photography, colour and sound editor: Andreas Oberg / andreas.obergwildlife
View all the videos in the MyFilmStory playlist here: www.youtube.co....
Natalie's Biography
Natalie Oberg is a Ukrainian-born, Swedish artist, vfx artist, photographer and wildlife cinematographer. She has studied and lived in Spain, Norway and Denmark and is currently living and working in the UK.
With a degree in psychology from Lund University and published international research to her name, Natalie is now an avid spokesperson for conservation, environmental protection and animal rights. She has filmed in rescue centres, worked with wildlife protection organizations and is currently working on spreading awareness of endangered species and environments through photo and video.
As an artist, matte painter and vfx artist she has worked with studios including Warner Bros, Microsoft and Apple on titles such as Mad Max and Sea of Thieves while in her traditional art she creates highly-detailed animal portraits and illustrations that she shares on her popular Instagram account @natalieobergart.
Natalie incorporates large format and film photography as a part of her visual work, with a focus on landscape and nature. She believes that the visual aesthetics of black and white film are well suited to bringing out the drama of landscapes and stories in nature.
Natalie's Links
Photo: IG @natalieanalog
Art: IG @natalieobergart
VFX: www.visualforest.co.uk
Cinematography: www.obergwildlife.com IG @natalie.obergwildife

[@Ilfordphoto]

We were so excited when Natalie agree to take part in this series. She is such a talented photographer and artist and we learned a lot from talking to her and watching her shoot landscape photography on large format black and white film. We were lucky to be able to spend time with Natalie on this shoot and her passion and commitment to her work shone through. We hope you enjoy watching this as much as we did.

[@lillianvalentine1975]

Thank you for featuring a woman doing large format photography! Beautiful video!

[@nickfanzo]

Gotta love 8x10

[@Autorange888]

Absolutely, right on!

[@LarryManiccia]

Never thought a six minute video could be so inspiring. Natalie makes me want to go out and learn large format. So talented and such great craftmanship. Those images are off the charts beautiful!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Tanks so much for watching and this lovely comment. Larry. If you fancy trying large format then the Intrepid cameras are a great way to start out :)

[@cafeglobulot]

@@Ilfordphoto Is that the large format she uses, that seems so foldable and lightweight ?

[@18percentphotographer]

@@cafeglobulotno, that is a Chamonix 8x10, although the Intrepid is a great camera to start your large format journey on!

[@IntrepidCameraCo]

Perfectly captures why people shoot film, especially large format

[@susanhuber7807]

This absolutely tells why film photography, most specifically large format forces and assists one in slowing down and deeply seeing things as they are and not as we want them to be. The beauty of the unexpected when you get home and see what you have developed is truly magic and nothing can replace it. Sometimes, I do not photograph, I sit there or lie down and listen to sounds and whispers of the winds and wonder how to enjoy the worlds we inhabit even more.

[@user-oi3sf8bu5w]

This is the reason why so many people are still sticking with film photography! Every frame on the film shows our time and effort no just leaving with a click of the shutter!

[@Ilfordphoto]

What a great comment. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write. Do you shoot a lot of black and white film?

[@user-oi3sf8bu5w]

@@Ilfordphoto Yes! I mainly shoot hp5, and I also print photos on Ilford RC and fiber paper. Those are great products!

[@brushbros]

Then again digital film and prints are free.

[@RoGameReview]

you may find yourself in poor conditions like rain, extreme wind, heat or cold, good luck with "taking your time" over there, tripods and heavy gear like that are just a pretentious pain in the ass

[@chesslover8829]

​@@RoGameReviewBy the size of her pack, Natalie was probably carrying 20 to 25 kilograms. It's not too bad, actually. A little rain won't hurt an 8×10 or its lens. Her gear will last 50 years, with some minor repair.

[@jackyleecs]

The pace of the video is smooth and nice. Peace will always prevail. May there always be light shining on Ukraine and its people.

[@Foxglove963]

Jacky. Only Love can Save us, Quintessence, London 1969.

[@christianonphotography]

Every Video is this small reassurance why I photograph the traditional way. 🙏 Thx!

[@hablemosdefoto]

This is so beautiful. Thank you ILFORD.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. Do you ever shoot large format black and white film?

[@landesnorm]

So true, so true. Being in the moment, observing, and choosing are so much a part of photography. Yet, these axioms also apply to medium and small format work as well, though not quite in the same ways. I am a different person with a different vision when I pick up small or medium format camera and definitely a different person with a large format camera. Film happily forces us to build faith in ourselves and in our judgement. Film opens our eyes and develops our skills in ways that can only be experienced.

[@davidgrisez]

This use of large format black and white film photography is rarely seen today. This is the style of photography that was done by Ansel Adams in years past. It was a number of years ago that I saw a photographer in Yosemite National Park using an old large format sheet film camera. Photography with large format film cameras is photography as an art form, where the photographer needs to take their time to set everything up and compose everything and take just a few photographs.

[@Novapsihoanaliza]

Great photos, but video is even better!

[@michellacocque9406]

Very inspiring work Natalie and Andreas. You see and you show beautiful things

[@medwynroberts]

Beautiful Snowdonia.

[@Ilfordphoto]

It is such a beautiful area isn't it?

[@Autorange888]

@@Ilfordphoto I love Cymru!

[@Aguatys]

Excellent... Congratulations....👍

[@Foxglove963]

There is no better B & W film than Ilford. Analogue is alive!

[@killingspree5254]

There is tho

[@gregpantelides1355]

This is incredible! Stay inspired, Natalie!

[@andyvan5692]

wow, beutiful scenery, and such serenity, even for the photographer, good video Ilford, give us some more LF and LF photographer videos PLEASE!!!, even a new series, specialising in LF, the film, what to use as a beginner, or for an effect, what paper, enlargers, a whole lot of possible topics to explore.

[@8KHDRVideoBySittipong]

I also love large format film. Thanks for sharing.

[@carlosquijano2827]

Beautiful! The scenery, the camera, the video, the photographer.

[@archievthapa3593]

Mesmerising !!! subscribed

[@Ilfordphoto]

Perfect! Love this response. Thank you for watching.

[@bobarchbold275]

Six minutes and sixteen seconds of sheer photographic joy,.. an absolutely beautiful piece of creative work... A joy to watch many times over...

[@Ilfordphoto]

What fantastic feedback. So glad that you enjoyed the video Bob. Have you watched the other videos in the #MyFilmStory series?

[@brendanhayes5565]

Thanks Natalie and ilford this was so beautiful and peaceful to watch, this is why film will always be here, because its real, thanks again.

[@timofeyuvarov1267]

love the speed of this life! thanks for such a great work people!

[@tgchism]

Nicely done video and wonderful images!

[@adrianrudak]

marvelous way to introduce products to the public , stunning really

[@russellsprout2223]

Beautifully serene and atmospheric video. Superb images. Excellent work. Long live Ilford Photo. 👍

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Russell. We are luck that there are so many talented photographers and print makers using our products to create their work. Do you shoot much black and white film yourself?

[@russellsprout2223]

@@Ilfordphoto Yes, my favourite film is XP2 in 35mm and 120. I've recently begun shooting 4x5 - it's a pity XP2 isn't available in that format. 🙁

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@russellsprout2223 We've had a few requests for XP2 in large format Russell so you never know!

[@jamesjohnmoss8130]

Wonderful, On the basis of this film, I have decided to go back the my 645 And 6x7 cameras, truly delightedly film and a massive inspiration. Thanks to all.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Wow - that's fantastic to hear. Please share some shot on our Instagram feed we are @ilfordphoto and the #'s are ilford plus the film e.g. #ilfordhp5

[@jonasstrmmen1328]

What a video! So expiring... And the mood just hit my heart and wrapped it in cotton! Such a great photographer in a stunning landscape. And there is no doubt that Ilford does produce some of the best black and white film these days. Just love it...

[@gpholmes3779]

Beautiful captures

[@benjaminfargen]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching.

[@paolovolponi1968]

Grazie Natalie, per avermi ricordato le mie origini di fotografo

[@Ilfordphoto]

Grazie per la visione

[@BarwickGreen]

A wonderful, inspiring video. I'm so pleased Natalie said film photography improves your ability to pre-visualise an image. Earlier today I was saying to my wife that film photography has, I think, improved my ability to visualise the image before I take it, so that really resonated for me.

[@timelapsephotography6650]

Fantastic!

[@raybeaumont7670]

Some nice shots of the Ogwen Valley and Cwm Idwal. You can't beat monochrome film. Thanks for sharing! Best wishes from the Rhondda Valley.

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

Thank you very much for sharing this story! I've gotten into a habit of taking my Linhof Technika, a 150mm lens and a couple film holders loaded with FP4+ with me whenever I go for a longer walk or cycling tour in and around my neighborhood or on travels. Slowing down, dedicating time to things that catch my eye, focusing to bring a few frames back home: It all can bring a lot of joy. If none of the images works, at least there's mostly a good conversation to enjoy. Wonderful to see a young woman lugging an 8x10! It makes me look so normal carrying my 4x5 around Berlin ... 🙂

[@naturelvr123]

When digital came along I was depressed. Shooting 4x5 & developing my film I believed film was dying. Now, I am working with the 4x5 & understand what she has said in the video. Glad to see "film is not dead" as ppl used to say. Keep up the good work Natalie. :)

[@Biosynchro]

IMHO we should not use the word 'dead'. Instead, we should say, 'film is alive'.

[@girlbotTV]

film is for sure alive, all the young skater kids are shooting film, not just tiktoks

[@bondgabebond4907]

@@girlbotTV The past is roaring back. We are seeing a resurgence of Vinyl Records, hope to see more photography using film. My Nikons feel neglected due to the digital age. I really loved the simplicity of cameras before technology automated them. That is why I love my Nikon F2A, totally manual and responsible for thousands of great memories.

[@robertgordon6362]

Outstanding!

[@ruvecht]

This is so beautiful

[@alanchalkley6017]

Many thanks for this - very inspiring. It has re-awakened the itch to go from medium format to large format!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Alan. I'm surprised you haven't taken the jump into large format already.

[@andreasoberg2021]

That is great to hear Alan. Medium format is great but in my mind nothing compares with large format. 4x5 is a big step up and the cameras can be really quite small while the 8x10 are a bit more on the heavy side.

[@captainklr6508]

Fantastic ❤

[@skipwalker1954]

That camera is a work of art. I shot a 90 mm Super Angulon on my 4x5 Arca-Swiss. They are amazing pieces of glass. I also had an old 8x10 that I got at a government auction. I always enjoyed shooting large format because it required so much planning and thoughtfulness. Digital is great but I have always felt if makes the spray and pray approach way to easy. When you've got 5 film holders loaded - you are only taking 10 images. You'd better get it right and make everyone count! Thanks for the beautiful film.

[@Ilfordphoto]

I love this comment and will be using 'spray and pray' in future. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this

[@shamsshaikh2887]

This was a therapy session

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you. We agree, there is something meditative about Natalie's work isn't there? Have you ever shot large format film?

[@dewaynecarver9592]

Inspirational video. The dreamy quality is a great representation of how it feels when you're "in the zone" making a picture, either behind the camera or in the darkroom. Time dilates and your focus narrows to the ground glass or the easel, especially using a camera you know instinctively. You don't think, you just do. Then "click!" The spell is broken when the shutter trips or the enlarger turns off, and you're back here. More Ilford videos, please!

[@andreasoberg2021]

Thank you. I really tried to capture the feeling of Natalie's photography when filming it. Natalie edited the video herself which explains of course why it captures her thoughts and emotions as well.

[@isabelsdad728]

Very inspirational. Thank you!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for watching.

[@rogerb5615]

The idea of returning to the same location repeatedly, in different seasons, varying weather conditions, even in partial darkness, is excellent. One is forced to concentrate, and to work, to reveal aspects of the subject that at first look are often not realized. Discipline!

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

Lovely film I can see myself getting into LF soon

[@Ilfordphoto]

That's what we like to hear, and of course you'll be using ILFORD black and white films? :)

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

@@Ilfordphoto I use ilford 90% of the time . I also make KZbin vids of my capers . When I returned to analog it was a logical choice as I was using ilford in the 80,s developing films in my bedroom when I was a kid

[@ryangillespie3849]

Fantastic representation and excellent work by Natalie! This was wonderful to watch!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Ryan. Natalie is such a talented woman and we were thrilled when they agreed to film this for us. Her images are stunning aren't they?

[@fingerprinz]

Wonderful video and images. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheSpaniel1]

Beautiful film and stunning images, thank you for sharing

[@paulalanputnam4592]

Magnificent clip. Super inspiring. Thanks.

[@Biosynchro]

Great stuff. I enjoyed it very much, and I wish it were longer. Well done to all involved.

[@Ilfordphoto]

What lovely feedback. Thanks for taking the time to watch it and to comment. Do you shoot a lot of black and white film yourself? Which format?

[@Biosynchro]

@@Ilfordphoto Not that much, but I do want to get back into it for sure. Probably 35mm and some 120.

[@Ilfordphoto]

@@Biosynchro If you still have the cameras then it's so easy to do now and lots of places offering development if you don't want to do it yourself.

[@Biosynchro]

@@Ilfordphoto I can do the processing - I just need to get back into practise! As for printing, well, that can come later. Scanning is where the labs fail. They don't know how to scan film. Compare the results from a cine lab to a photo lab. Photo labs think that TIFF is somehow a substitute for DPX. It isn't. They truly do not give you a digital version of your negative. Nobody wants to deal with this problem, sadly.

[@davidmglass3706]

That was awesome! Well done! My Pentax 6x7 is coming out!! Thank you for sharing!

[@Ilfordphoto]

That's the sort of comment we like! Please share your shots when you've taken by then. Which film is your go to black and white film?

[@CrazeSweden]

Awesome, fantastic work. I love the message of this little film. Now I want to go out in the mountains and walk and capture lots of these moments. Great work, Andreas and Natalie!

[@MBDronePhoto]

I really need to get back into 4x5. Wonderful series.

[@IntrepidCameraCo]

Love this

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you. Natalie is so talented, we're glad that she was happy to film this and share her work with us.

[@ludmilaskjrbk4111]

Very good film ❤️❤️❤️

[@MichaelLloyd]

This was a very well shot and produced video. Natalie has a great eye and I really enjoyed her narration. There was a section of video of the ground glass that gave the same feeling that I get when I look at the ground glass of my cameras.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for the feedback Michael. Which cameras do you have that evoke this same feeling?

[@MichaelLloyd]

@@Ilfordphoto I have a Zone VI 8x10. I also have a Zone VI 4x5, Chamonix 4x5, and Linhof Master Technika 4x5 that give me the feeling but shooting the 8x10 is my happy place.

[@MelanieKing]

That was such a beautiful, relaxing video - thank you.

[@user-mn5sx1di7y]

Lovely.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks Paul. Have you done any large format film photography?

[@paulquirk1986]

@ILFORD Photo Yes - but not so much of late. I have 3 5x4 cameras - bought my first in 1990 and my latest last year. I no longer print from the negative, but scan to computer which gives me freedom from the darkroom which I no longer have space for. I still process the negatives, however which is always very exciting.

[@normanthomsonphotography3051]

Great video ❤❤

[@jasongold6751]

Yes! Yes! It's the experience of being there! The work speaks for itself! Stunning! Illuminating and tempting! A word of warning! Large Format. I soon learn't not for me! I need more freedom. Good modern BW film will surely equal LF! Without the cost and weight! If tempted shoot slow film in 35mm or better 120! Slowdown. Try BW filters! And there's the phone, if you simply cannot yet afford this way. I was a pro, retired almost 15 years ago! Still I snap almost everyday.

[@tompaste387]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing

[@jonflan691]

Beautiful and inspiring video .

[@edmeldrum3342]

The whole team is talented 👏 👌 Large format photography and climbing those mountains that's impressive. Love the drone footage the video skills is something to reflect on later. Thank you Shutter button Love ❤️

[@paulcarlsen4088]

I shoot both digital and film. Film has taught me to slow down again and look at the scene, which benefits my digital shooting.

[@Ilfordphoto]

We find that a lot of people say this. Or, they shoot film for enjoyment and digital for work.

[@Otaku155]

Have been doing 35mm for a long time now, thinking of starting some work in 120 as well. Thanks a bunch for your wisdom!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you. Please share some of your shots in medium format. We'd love to see

[@Otaku155]

@@Ilfordphoto Need to get a medium format camera first

[@martin-f5482]

absolutely awesome and so inspiring, many thanks to the team make this happen!

[@bikecameraaction3334]

Beautiful film!

[@erikdewilde3219]

Beautifull well done thanks a lot!

[@doyoudevelop]

This was really well put together, enjoyed watching it very much! :)

[@r423sdex]

I must say I enjoyed my time with film. Altering the development, using pyro and id11. And printing in the darkroom, for hours. It was special ! I had a rolliflex and a Hasselblad, but never tried large format. And that Pentax spotmeter with the zone system.

[@ejm922]

bless you! nice film- i used to shoot large format too. but...if i see one more photo of blurey running water ill scream!!

[@ViaOjo]

Her photos are nice but I’m more impressed with her thought process.

[@fingersmcginty]

This is a wonderful portrait of a photographer at work, well-shot and edited, and really gives a feel for the timelessness of large format film photography. Not that I have done it (yet).

[@bitwalk]

Incredible! ❤

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. We're glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully it will inspire you to get out and shoot some black and white film.

[@chrisbone7149]

A beautifully made video, perfectly narrated. Thank you, Natalie, and Ilford.

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thanks for watching Chris and the lovely feedback.

[@JamesMartin-vm2zo]

Beautifully shot and produced video! I had not seen Natalie's work before, but it's very impressive. I also shoot Delta 100 in 8x10 and it's been my preference in sheet film for a few years now. Extremely versatile and forgiving in many situations and with different developers. For printing I rely on MG Classic FB paper, but have also been using MGRC a lot as well. I really appreciate and depend on the quality and consistency of Ilford B/W products. Thanks for the dedication to analog B/W photography!

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you James for the kind words. We'd love to see some of your images and prints of you have an Instagram feed or website we can check out :)

[@Foxglove963]

Don't forget to archivally tone your prints with selenium. Then your prints won't fade and will last as long as the carrier (baryt paper) holds out, for thousands of years.

[@andreasoberg2021]

@@Foxglove963 Thats a good tipe Foxglove. Thousands of years would be pretty incredible!

[@watermanOIT]

Somewhere on the web you can find a couple images she made on Ortho+ that I think are fantastic. I've had pretty good luck with that film in the American southwest, but hope to try it in winter and/or fog conditions sometime later this year.

[@ameenraed]

Amazing video wonderful 👏

[@Ilfordphoto]

Thank you. We're so glad you enjoyed watching. Do you shoot any black and white film yourself?

[@ameenraed]

@@Ilfordphoto yes i do but i stopped for long time back for many reasons,, But i am coming back soon,,, It is a passion

[@joelbaca2244]

Bravo!

[@gufranunsel]

amazing dude

[@robertdurn2320]

8 years since I stopped shooting 8 by10. I do miss it but not carrying the Sinar or the Gitzo tripod!

[@cloudsilver1]

This is so, so beautiful.

[@andreamignogna8066]

Oh my, so inspiring! I want to charge my large format camera after long time and run to the wild! THANK YOU for this great inspiring story!

[@Ilfordphoto]

That's fantastic to hear. You should definitely get your large format camera out and shoot with it (on our film of course;:)and then share your shots with us.

[@andreamignogna8066]

@@Ilfordphoto of course, Fp4 and Hp5 are my life long loves! they will be the main character on the new videos!

[@user-vt7ob9by1g]

For me, LF 8x10 photography is just like painting, typically I would find a place/scene and decide to come back photograph it. LF photography is rarely spontaneous. If I'm doing landscape shots in a special location, up high etc, then sure, it can be a "on the day" kinda thing. Sometimes I shoot in medium format/of course digital and mark a place for a future 8x10 visit. I do not generally shoot in B+W, (creative motives aside) because I see in colour, and I shoot 99% positives, so more attention to precise exposure is required. It's not that I won't occasionally shoot B+W, but its a rare activity for me, when it comes to 8x10, I'm opposite to most, who I see mainly shooting LF B+W, largely, the cost of film is typically a governor of many. I've shot LF for 46 years, so I properly stored a lot of LF transparency films from the twilight days on film photography. Nice video, well done, and I very much agree with the slow creative pace and visual advantages of working with LF, it's as I said, more like painting/opens you up to very different pictures. I wouldn't normally use my Rollie 6x6 for landscapes, I prefer it for city/people/animal shots. personally I rather 6x7 for landscapes, if I am not working with 8x10, which is 90% of the time, I am 50/50 MF/digital. I scan on a drum scammer for LF or a flextight for medium format/5x4. That said, I often print shots from an iPhone too!, always remember, you don't need fancy or expensive equipment to be a good photographer, you just need eyes and a brain and a want to take a good/interesting picture. Pictures, by you, for you, and not really for anybody else either. Good luck to all.

[@johnthurston5931]

Greeting from Australia.

[@markvincentbesa3449]

👏👏👏👏📸

[@michaelcase8574]

Digital photographers always look at the camera to see what they captured. The real film photographs know what they have and don't need to see what they might have on sight.

[@andreasoberg2021]

You are right Michael. I use this technique with digital photography as well when I photograph animals. I think its very important to know if you got the shot without looking because it takes time to go through them. With film making it is the same, but that is an area I could improve further.

[@ChrisW.Fuji_Canon]

Wonderful

[@iFreeTraveler]

very beautiful~

[@alangauld6079]

Great video, thanks ILFORD for doing this series. I shoot digital landscapes but I usually carry my vintage TLR with me. There are some scenes where you just know that the TLR and B&W are going to work, it just feels right. I'd love to try a 5x4 camera but the post-processing effort puts me off.

[@keithwiebe1787]

I might possibly still be shooting 4x5 if Polaroid hadn't discontinued their Type 55 instant with proof and instant negative. I never got a chance to use it. Now I'm playing with video on my S22 phone and might leave my Canon 5dm3 at home for upcoming trip.

[@johngraziano4554]

A few shots means the most important choices

[@i_hate_google_]

You can also do all this with a modern camera and much more !

[@dmystify1381]

..........❤

[@richard.l5563]

drawing provides even greater control... particularly in effects pipelines

[@melaninxhalide1165]

Fire!!! Anybody have details on the backpack and tripod she was using?

[@Ilfordphoto]

@AndreasÖberg Do you have this info?

[@andreasoberg2021]

Sure thing melanixhalide! This is an extremely good backpack made by Karrimor called Predator 80-130 PLCE. It actually can have up to 130L and is very comfortable on your back. We have also gotten side pockets and 2 smaller omni pouches to the back to further expand it, they are good to store light meters, water etc in. Inside it we use F-Stop bags in all sizes for the equipment to give it additional padding and to further organize it. Karrimor also has very good water protection bags that we have around all the equipment since well we live in the UK!

[@mathwizz75]

hermoso

[@ttianatiana1310]

👍💐💙💛💚🥰

[@martin-f5482]

Hi, does someone know which tripod she's using?