Shooting 4x5 Film in one of My Favourite Locations

[@dineshshah]

“Reciprocity timer is saying 9, we’ll give it 10, just for fun” 😊 You’re bringing back memories from 30 years ago when as a kid I was shooting 4x5 out and about. Wonderful, slow, deliberate process. Lovely images. Thanks for making this.

[@Jarzyniak]

I'm always amazed at how on top going from location to location and taking amazing photographs you manage to frame cinematic shots of yourself doing it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's often a chaotic mess and I'm always surprised when it works out. 😂

[@markjones127]

Stunning shots, I've always been fascinated by the industrial landscape left behind by the slate quarries as both my grandfathers worked there (one at Dinorwic Quarry and the other at Oakelely), so I always get emotional watching beautifully shot videos like this.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Such a fascinating landscape and history to these places.

[@RogueNoble]

The pulley shot was an incredible composition!

[@meicalcook1126]

I absolutely love your work, I've had generations of family work in this quarry and as an analogue photographer I love your approach. My only wish is that you knew more of the history of the North Wales quarries because then I feel like your photos would be impactful to yourself and the audience. But please keep visiting!

[@JonathanPetersonlisten2EITS]

Whoa! These images are truly breathtaking. Your eye for composition is very refreshing. Thanks for taking me along on your adventure to make great photographs. It continues to reignite my passion to do the same.

[@ckhicks]

“It’s just more fun, because you’re shooting.” Right on, man. Love this one. Nice work!

[@tbostrowski6136]

You Kyle are like Les Stroud. The Survivor Man. Going deep into the wilds, packed with cameras and purpose you are alone talking into the video cameras to explain the plan, the concept and how to execute it in any kind of weather. Must be a Canadian thing. As always it was informative and entertaining. Thanks for this, I really enjoyed it while eating pizza and drinking Brio !

[@KyleMcDougall]

Haha, good ole Survivorman! Been a while since I e watched that one.

[@andyvan5692]

Kyle that is great advice, at 14:48, but if I can add a little, If you aren't confident with the LF camera/lens you have (new to film, format, or new gear), get a 120 back and shoot 120 roll film, a lot cheaper, and if 6x9/6x7 this gets 8/10 shots per roll, so you have a few frames to play with, also 120 is a heck of a lot cheaper for colour images, if you 'think' that way, to do your comfort stock, until you get the "dance" right {Matt Marrash; Large Format Friday, Season 1, ep.1} get some 'MT' film, so you can dry run the shooting sequence, and get confidence up, also for darkroom tank loading, as that is a whole other thing as well.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, great advice as well. Practice makes perfect with 4x5.

[@danielfontana8390]

I am passionate about this type of photography and the peace that slowing down and appreciating the world in front of you brings. Congratulations on the beautiful work. Grettings from Brazil.

[@ChrisDN]

With the stove shot, I like the idea of covering the letter Y with the pipe; give the impression it says 'hope'. I love the feel of all of these though. Reminds me very much of the guy reviving the old Cerro Gordo mining town, with things seemingly abandoned mid-use.

[@davidpearce2981]

Thank you for the video, been here a few times now and still there’s so much more to do

[@haroldcarlson2775]

I just started shooting medium format 6x6 and I can totally relate to not wanting to waste film on mediocre images. This is something I will have to balance as I learn what I'm doing. Quite a few great images, I learned a little something from you talking about your metering, thank you.

[@ratemo1797]

I don't know if you know this, but there's a Musician and Photographer called Bibio and on his 2017 album Phantom Brickworks most of the visuals were shot around Wales in the quarries. He even released a song this year called Dinorwic as part of the sequel album

[@andyvan5692]

Kyle, one other point, to get a 'first roll/sheet, under ones' belt ' is something of a confidence booster, esp. if it goes well (proves to yourself everything is 'light tight'), esp. for some cameras, as assembling/takedown is a repetitive thing * esp. for monorails, where everything has to be 'field stripped' to travel with such a system.

[@anewcleardawn]

Fantastic work - I've been following you for a few months now but realised I hadn't actually left a comment. Your passion and documentation of the Welsh landscape and scenery is inspiring to say the least. Keep up the excellent work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. 🙏

[@ryanastadler1251]

These video journals are works of art, dude. Way to go and thanks for all the effort you put into it. The 4x5 frames are even more powerful.

[@terrywbreedlove]

Here in the Pacific Northwest. In the local logging woods. We call that “pulley” a Carriage. It rides on a sky line and is pulled with a skid line. We drop three or four chokers off the carriage. That we use to choke the Logs with and drag them to the Landing. :)

[@geoffmphotography9444]

two photograph (with the pipe and the pulley) are instantly two of my favourites of your quarry shots. That light!

[@KyleMcDougall]

The weather up in that area always keeps things interesting when it comes to light and mood.

[@maryslingo7842]

Loved this - great combination of technical photography and one of my favourite places to climb and explore. I've been up That Ladder a few times! The Snakes and Ladders climbing route through the quarry takes in a fair number of hair-raising abseils and ladders (explore at your own risk folks, this is for experienced climbers) but gets you into places that are really mind-blowing (Rockfax do a great book of slate climbing with excellent maps for accessing places). Your images and process are inspiring me to get back there, thanks for a great video.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed! Dinorwic is an amazing place.

[@robdixon5016]

Always a great video to watch.I love the waterfall pic the best.

[@supervalentin42]

This is such a great location, we can feel you could spend days here and never get tired of it. I seem to be much more attracted to large format than medium. I should really try this out one day !

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely a place that has endless potential!

[@tomkondrat]

It's nice to see Kyle being excited!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌

[@gearsaw]

Great video, it's really the process and how beautifully you present it along with your kind wisdom that keeps me coming back. Love every shot in this video, especially the first one!

[@Digibeatle09]

Makes me want to “get out there” with a Linhof that I have for many years - excellent work ! My lack of enthusiasm - accounting for leaving the Linhof in the press - was down to developing the sheets - from this video, it seems that, once you’ve fired the shutter, you consider you have the “shot in the bag”, so to speak - I never gained enough confidence to be able to think that !

[@john_murch]

Your video journeys are always inspiring Kyle. I like the lesson of more reactive shooting, no need to over think!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed, John.

[@astrowales5581]

crazy! I live 10min away from here. glad you enjoy where we live :)

[@KyleMcDougall]

One of my favourite landscapes ever!

[@LEgoiste]

Stunning shots and you still managed to video it, stunning indeed. Enjoying this content, much appreciated.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lombardy3274]

love seeing foreign perspectives of my homeland :)

[@shootswithcoops]

11:17 that’s a magic shot, the way the light falls over the stove is great

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. One of my favourites.

[@balintshootsfilm]

Amazing! Breathtaking images and the B-roll is just out of this world. Thanks for making it possible for us to experience these adventures with you!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dan_photo]

This was so good! I absolutely love the images you made here and it’s so good to see you enjoying the process.

[@anphiibian5013]

Nice closeups around 3:47, it helps a lot with the experience of the shot

[@pathepaparslow2068]

Absolutely stunning

[@stevinoname]

Great work as always! it is cool to hear your thoughts about metering and making the image. It is valuable insight.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrChrisanderson101]

Love watching you work. Very inspiring. Thanks.

[@Mygrainphotos]

That first shot is so beautiful!! Definitely follow your instincts, always!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌

[@trix-4656]

Great video, soft, beautiful music and the photos are delightful. What a great job.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you.

[@florianguillonantigny]

Absolutly incredible work as usual Kyle. I cannot wait to see where you will go with this project.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@liveinaweorg]

Glad you went back with the 4x5. Beautiful work, Kyle.

[@andyl4565]

Really enjoyed your spectacular results! Your thoughts reminded me of the popular saying, credited to my countryman the great Wayne Gretzy, about not taking shots in hockey: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"

[@carbonejack]

Stunning images, again.

[@satyarod]

Gorgeous! Love to start 4x5!!

[@MrBusby]

Fabulous. I’m heading up there in a few weeks. Feeling inspired. Thanks.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Enjoy! One of my favourite areas ever.

[@bijan_sabet]

Gorgeous work, Kyle!

[@grahamhutton3129]

Fantastic video Kyle and fantastic location. I went there a couple of years back and spent the entire afternoon and evening there, walked miles and miles but still couldnt find or locate some of these shots yourself and others keep finding of the interior buildings and top level workers buildings. Love the film look too.

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's a bit of a maze there. Only now am I starting to get a feel for where things are at.

[@constantinestewart7416]

Wonderful images Kyle, you’re an inspiration.

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@pyane.z]

Incredible work, hands down one of my fav youtube channels

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@basstubert]

Whoa! You've got some sweet shots here Kyle. I always figured that medium format was big enough for me but when I see this, well.... So tempted to start using 4x5...

[@t_h_visuals]

Superb shots Kyle. You’ve inspired me to drive up and visit this place again. It would be great to see a video of how you develop your film and perhaps how you’d present your photos. A workflow from visualisation to completion for large format. Great work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Always worth a visit. And I'll keep that in mind for a future video.

[@larrywilliams5708]

Another great video with some stunning photos!

[@brianbeattyphotography]

excellent work Kyle. That one with the stove in the old building is incredibly well done

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Brian. One of my favourites.

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Great shots Kyle, love how those turned out man 👌

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@The_Truck_Photo_Agency]

Thanks for the video work. Looks like a really cool place!

[@Wpoolesf]

Great location, wonderful images!

[@ricardoromanach]

20 minutes! Yes!

[@rydabyk]

Awesome photos Kyle, plus, I really love how you explain your metering.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ChrisW.Fuji_Canon]

what an amazing place ... great video!!

[@joegoodsell]

Beautiful video and some lovely photos too!

[@mynewcolour]

The final shot (of pulley cable?) is the kind of stuff photo that gets a bit overlooked in todays world of instagram bangers. It just quietly raises questions, hints at history. Great video.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. 🙏

[@jaydigshistory36]

Always a pleasure watching your vids

[@kapurar]

Another great video Kyle

[@Craig-it5sv]

Super nice Kyle! Craig

[@rgrbrn]

I really love that kind of on location videos!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers. Enjoyed making this one.

[@john3Lee]

I always appreciate your videos - thanks so much..

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you like them!

[@geofff6671]

Great video and some amazing photos.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you like them!

[@andrewbuckler]

Horseman cameras are surprisingly rugged and capable, I love my VHR.

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Beautiful

[@CoreyCWaters]

really reallly nice, Kyle

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@garyhinson3876]

superb atmospheric images, photographed that part of the quarry some 30 odd years ago on 35mm Fp4, i think its know as the Pen Garret level, there was a lot more in that hut, workers clothes still hanging, with their boots positioned bellow. The hoist you photographed was know as a "Blondin" after the French tightrope walker Charles Blondin

[@KyleMcDougall]

The hut is certainly showing its age/impact from visitors over the years.

[@Jake-g9l7i]

You must have done so much work to make this video. The hiking alone with 5x4 equipment is a feat of endurance. The only way I could do it now would be on muleback. Congrats on another successful video. I raise my hat to you. Best wishes from Jake Everyman.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Jake. I was feeling it after this outing, hah!

[@TheSchnauzie]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@corvo_flashes]

i shoot on digital with a fuji xpro2. i don't shoot 4x5. i don't shoot on film or planning to shoot it anytime. but man i do enjoy watching this channel. i really like the way you color grade and edit this videos. and the vibes overall.( exuse my english ) my photography is similair to yours in subjects and locations and your vids give me motivation to shoot more. thank you man. best of luck.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@SerafinMarc]

awesome video kyle! Could really feel how much fun you were having :-)

[@paulfreimanis2202]

kyle you are very good.

[@eric_mr_ink]

Magnifique! Merci

[@xander1052]

Just realised I've done landscape photography of Dinorwic quarry, just from the opposite side of the lake in Llanberis.

[@jasongold6751]

Enjoyable video! Why my dislke? The cost factor, cost of film, again new box, the huge gear, that awesome bag!

[@kormakur]

Your work is just amazing. If you are on the east coast of iceland i would love to shoot some frames with you!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks. Would love to get to Iceland one day.

[@dmay1100]

Hey Kyle: What a wonderful place to explore! I wish I had to same problem I have no doubt it is popular. I always look for those spots that no one has found. LOL like that happens these days. As I vacillate with shooting 4x5 once again, I worry about the cost. The film is stupid expensive these days, I will, with out doubt shoot only Black and White. It will encourage the mind to think artistic and then the thoughts of cost goes away. I will cry about the cost latter. LOL

[@KyleMcDougall]

Fomapan 100 is nice 'more affordable' 4x5 film which helps with the cost.

[@dmay1100]

@@KyleMcDougall I will have to check the film out for sure!! Thanks!

[@EYDIMUSIC]

Epic 😋

[@nvrumi]

I'd love to come to Wales and spend some time at the place. I think Scotland and Ireland would be interesting too. Yes, I want to bring a camera. Question: I didn't see you use any tilt on the front standard. I'm not a field camera shooter (yet), but wonder if you might have been able to use a little tilt and then a little more aperture would shorten the time for the exposure. Thoughts? Also, inside the building I think I saw a couple more opportunities for a frame... one of the top of the stove and another of the window sill. Both looked like beautiful light and an interesting subject. Again, thoughts? I also noticed how the gray day really made the grass pop! I think a couple of color frames might have provided some interesting contrast between the gray of the slate and the saturated green of the grass. Thanks for taking me along!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks. As for the tilt question, depends on the scene. It's difficult at times when there are verticals running from top to bottom, or things near the top of the frame (near to camera) which would be OOF if using swing.

[@ruudmaas2480]

Beautiful photographs. Curious about the book,

[@tim_butcher]

Hey Kyle, great vid. Looks like you’ve found your happy place 😀. Have you read Stephen Shore’s The Nature of a Photograph? In it he compares a Robert Adams photograph with a Walker Evans one to discuss the interplay between different objects in the field of view and how they can be brought to life in the image. Might be of interest given the sorts of images you’re making up there ✌️

[@KyleMcDougall]

I've been meaning to check it out!

[@bernardkealey6449]

Lovely vid, story well told - especially good as unscripted and all to camera in the field. Good bunch of bangers, hard to pic a couple of faves, tho the arch and waterfall were definitely up there. Did you use any swing on the “slate wall” composition? I’d love to see some comparisons between what can be achieved via lens stopping vs technical movements, and that location looks like a “subject rich” area for that sort of tutorial. [that’s a comment, not an entitled demand btw, I appreciate whatever Kyle has the time to bring us along for]

[@KyleMcDougall]

No swing on the slate wall shot. And I'll keep that in mind for a future vid!

[@Lesmilesmorales]

Wake up babe, Kyle just dropped

[@happymystic9800]

Wow 😮 I am almost at a loss for words. 😮 … what a potential this place offers. From my perspective this is large format photography heaven ❤ … I am wondering what the resolution of these photos are. Would you mind sharing this info. Much appreciated 😊

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's endless there. These were scanned on an Epson V700, at 2400DPI.

[@my.framesoflife]

Videos like this make me love photography more and more. Thanks for that! 🤍

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers.

[@aaronthecameraguy]

Was up late last night stoned laying on my floor watching your UK road trip video where you photographed churches, guess I know where I'll be tonight.

[@Zetaphotography]

In rehab for addiction?

[@metalfingersfilm]

@@Zetaphotography lmao, chill my guy

[@DeLaMuerte69]

Blaze it

[@aaronthecameraguy]

@@Zetaphotography Woah woah woah, just because I like to slug Caffenol and Photo Flow and jump up and down a bunch until I gotta have a little lay down and nappy nap you wanna harsh my vibe man? Not cool.

[@KyleMcDougall]

😁🙌

[@ronp4529]

👍👍

[@jalo4242]

At 15:50 when you wait for the sky to brighten up, shouldn’t you meter the light again?

[@KyleMcDougall]

The foreground wouldn't really change, just the sky getting a bit bright in one section, so I decided to stick with my original exposure, knowing the film will hold up in the highlight areas.

[@nevilleholmes1324]

Nice images. Did you use any movements? Also for the 'Hut window' did you pull the development? You give good information but not all.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Just some rise in a few shots. And no, didn't pull in the hut image. Just dev'd normal.

[@nevilleholmes1324]

Many thanks for your reply. I am a half or so through my first box of 4x5 film and watch your video working out "what would I do".

[@erichstocker8358]

When you shot the pulley, did you put it on zone 3? Did that mean that the brightest part of sky was beyond zone 10? I loved the photo of the stove in the house. I think that was my favorite of the set.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I believe I still just metered off the grass in the scene, and didn't worry too much about where the sky fell, knowing that FP4+ usually gives me flexiblity during the scan.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Adding to that, I will say, I don't think the sky would have been beyond zone 10.

[@erichstocker8358]

Well grass is zone 5 by and large so as good as anything. I thought I heard you say the sky was +5 so if you metered zone 5 and sky wad +5 then it should be zone 10. But I may just have misheard. Anyway based on the photos the exposure was great! Thanks!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I very well might have said that. I’d have to go back and watch. But yeah, usually in situations like this I don’t worry too much where the extreme highlights fall.

[@thenotoriuosbg7372]

I know colour LF film is really expensive, however, I think some of these shots would look great in colour, particularly as its essentially grays, blacks and green. Next time your up there it would be brilliant to see come 6x7 shots?

[@KyleMcDougall]

The few times I've shot colour in these landscapes I've struggled. B&W seems to fit me better.

[@thenotoriuosbg7372]

@@KyleMcDougall I appreciate that.

[@ЕвгенийМалышкин-з6к]

👍

[@KooookMag]

Hi Kyle! Was wondering what backpack you were using in this video. Do you use it as a carry on?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Compagnon Element. Haven't brought it on a plane yet.

[@treyusher32]

What backpack is that? I like how the back of it zips fully open

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's a Compagnon Element

[@PayneSculptures]

@KyleMcDougall - Another beautifully shot (video and Photo) film. Thank you! Are you still shooting your videos with the Fuji XH-2? I just love the look of this. Are you shooting in FLog2 or with some other picture profile. Thank you for this!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. Using the Lumix S5IIX now, in VLOG.

[@PayneSculptures]

@@KyleMcDougall - Thank you so much for the info! Your footage looks so beautiful, rich and naturalistic. I don't think you get enough praise for your videography! Thanks for the great content!

[@YuAndy-c7s]

hello！ I am wondering how do you find such beautiful places for hiking and photography？❤

[@c.augustin]

I'm exploring Fomapan for my 4x5 shooting to save some bucks, as even Ilford stocks are somewhat pricey and make me be reluctant. But I don't think that it will make me "reactive" with my Chamonix … 😁

[@KyleMcDougall]

Fomapan 100 is great. I have a video coming out soon about it.

[@c.augustin]

@@KyleMcDougall Tried Retropan 320 lately and wasn't happy with the results. Tried Fomapan 400 when I started with 4x5 some years ago, and wasn't happy (actually better results as with Retropan, but not great - Ilford HP5+ is the way to go in that sensitivity range). Shot only 4 sheets of Fomapan 100 (from a friend who had bought a pack) back then (results weren't conclusive) and then changed to ADOX CHS 100 II (about double the price per sheet, which doesn't matter that much for "normal" shooting - but I'm starting to explore Trichrome, and then it does matter a lot).

[@KyleMcDougall]

I wasn’t a huge fan of the 400, but found 100 much better.