Shooting Ektar and Large Format Film Portraits

[@mrbigg2u]

Maaaate. Just tripped into your languid, soft and engaging world. What a treat. 2 films in, and loving every second. Fine work and delivery is so watchable. Got lots of viewing time to look forward to. Hello from the south east coast of england. Keep it up pal 👊🏽

[@jenslingspaint3523]

I love the first shot of the flowers in your kitchen. The hint of atmosphere was fantastic on that honestly and gave the flowers enough room to breathe and really gave it a lovely feel of it being a classic still life.

[@BraeHunziker]

The ol 42 minute narration without recording. Always a fun one 🙂 Lovely portraits i actually like the slightly underexposed one quite a bit. This book is going to be so damn good.

[@BryanBirks]

That narration was some of my best work. The world will never see it. 😭

[@samuelhollin1524]

😢😢😢😢🎉😢🎉😢😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉I🎉 love this for

[@chickenitsa]

Good job. The fact that you went back to re-shoot speaks *volumes* about your level of commitment. .. and see? It paid off. Bravo.

[@angelah6357]

I drove through here every 2 weeks to see my parents. Love it

[@thefilmdaddy]

Those flowers on Ektar look incredible. I have a whole new respect for large format photographers who nail the focus like you did here. On top of all the things that go with shooting film tilting and shifting to get focus seems so tough. Lovely work man!

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks, Brendon. It’s tough at first to wrap your head around but with practice it just becomes second nature!

[@angelah6357]

I always thought seeing someone shoot the loss of our midwest farms would be historic!

[@outwithsara70]

Amazing portraits. Great video as usual. Ciao, Rosaria

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you kindly 🖤

[@aaronthecameraguy]

Really appreciate your style for interviews, the atmosphere and context added to a conversation through just a small vignette is really beautiful and a great workaround for filming a shaky talking head. Always so fantastic Bryan!

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate that! There is always so much stuff going on that I can't always work with two cameras. The audio is just an easy way to get context for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Good work Bryan and you've encouraged me to break out the Ektar again.

[@BryanBirks]

Heck yeah 🤘🏻

[@jeremyrowlettmedia]

I love Ektar. One of my favorite stocks. First medium format stock I ever shot back in the day.

[@tonyhayes9827]

I love those initial photos starting at 4:22 timeline! Later on, to have a person sit and use large format camera movements to get different parts of the body in focus shows a LOT of expertise at using the large format camera. You are no noob my friend but one of the better exponents of large format photography that I can see anyway. I know you can see all the little failings in your images because you made them. But for us viewers your photographs are outstanding. Long live the large format camera!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you, Tony. Means a lot. The first portraits that I took were indeed nice, but those technical mishaps will always plague them for me. Appreciate the kind words 🖤

[@peterelliston]

Appreciate the cut scenes in your car specifically the audio changes in the music, nice work!

[@BryanBirks]

Appreciate that comment. I do it and then actually wonder if anyone gives a damn. Haha

[@doctorstrobe]

I absolutely love your work and you way of thinking. I'm a portrait photographer myself and I am really bored by the usual film photography channels on KZbin: same format, same photos that convey absolutely no emotion whatsoever. I really don't understand the purpose of shooting pieces of buildings and bad street photography. Technical info in these videos are pretty decent but they're just that: technical info about cameras and films. They're not about capturing something precious. Seeing you working, I'm like "this is exactly what I think photography is meant to be." There is an intention, not random images of meaningless things. Oh and this bad habit they tend to have to say a photo is "interesting"... I think that's what you say when you can't find ANYTHING interesting in an image. Photography is meant to be beautiful, or even really ugly, to remember a moment, a place, or a person. Not to shoot a door knob during the golden hour to waste a roll of expensive film. Even if you make a video of you shooting the knob and use lofi hip-hop as your background music.

[@MrVincentbihler]

Thanks Bryan!

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

dang the flower photo!

[@BryanBirks]

I am a flower photographer now. Screw portraits.

[@tycjantrzpiola]

Your face after info about no-recording. Priceless. But I did the samee a couple of times.

[@Al_Bx]

The sound editing was fire! Added another layer to your already superb (yes superb!) videography and storytelling.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you very much. Love me some good transitions. Glad you noticed. ✌🏻

[@paulvallance4347]

Great video. I love your photos and the moving images taken through the windscreen are very evocative. Good choice of music as well.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you, Paul!

[@willysheepskin]

7:35 That is a the coolest sweater color I've ever seen, I need to find a sweater in that color ahah! Also you stay nailing focus these days man it's both inspiring and intimidating me for when the time comes to shoot some large format stuff haha. Beautiful photos as always, and a lovely journey of a video once more

[@BryanBirks]

I was hoping he would be wearing a sweet flannel like last time but I had to settle for the solid. Focusing is a fun game that you lose a lot in the beginning. I’m thinking you will do just fine as your pretty slow with your compositions. Just don’t overthink the movements at first!

[@joseelement7695]

@@BryanBirks Just jumping on William's comment. I am constantly amazed at how you nail focus. VERY often, I feel like between my focussing and then loading my film holder, the subject must be moving (ever so slightly that I don't notice) and then I get my negs back.....and their shoulder is PERFECTLY sharp. lol. but also, very much NOT lol. anyway, another great video man, thank you. and I really loved the flower shots. also, always love those driving shots in your videos!

[@BryanBirks]

@@joseelement7695 It is the worst and I have had my fair share of missed focus portraits. To minimize that, I always have the holder right by me ready to go. For Isaiah's close portrait, I actually had it in my bag a few feet away so I just refocused after grabbing it. After the portrait was taken, I told him not to move and then I checked focus once more to ensure he didn't move the first time. It was good so I moved on. The only other thing I do is pay CLOSE attention to any movements from the person while I load the holder. If I suspect any movement I just go and refocus. If after I did that, I still miss focus, then it wasn't meant to be. Lmao

[@JonnieBoyChoi]

Not sure why Ektar is getting so much hate but this video was great in showing how good it can be! Can't wait for the book bro~

[@patricstahl]

Amazing work as always! Thanks for sharing.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks for watching, Patric!

[@SummersSnaps]

Another wonderful video, thank you so much Bryan for doing what you do and sharing with us.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you for watching and supporting, Eddy!

[@SummersSnaps]

@@BryanBirks Bloody oath! Yer an inspirational legend!

[@randomsixty]

Your video style is really hitting a stride. Well done. Nice photos too. Can definitely see growth.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks, Colin. Glad I am improving and that it’s noticeable. Sometimes it’s like your standing still. Appreciate it!

[@larsgibbon3327]

Great work, reminds me I need to order some Ektar film...

[@BryanBirks]

Get on it!

[@quentinbassetti1217]

I really like the three portraits of the son, and interesting considerations about the look. Thanks Bryan

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you very much, Quentin!

[@benhenaultphotography2284]

Loved the video! Watching your videos lately has inspired me to start shooting 4x5!

[@BryanBirks]

Fantastic! Let me know if you have any questions about anything. Happy to help.

[@harshavardhansalgaokar]

I see a byan birks video uploaded. I press play

[@BryanBirks]

You are a gentleman and a scholar, sir. Appreciate you.

[@matthewpoburyny5147]

Ahhh the petunia carnage! That looks like such an interesting book, I was reading about it on Nowhere Diary and the vividness of the images looked so surreal!

[@BryanBirks]

Yeah I thought I was early on knowing about that but Nowhere Diary was the goat. Truly a wonderful book and just so pretty to look that.

[@matthewpoburyny5147]

@@BryanBirks yeah, it is definitely one of those books I would love to buy simply just to own something pretty. I really want to grab Memorare and At Night Gardens Grow, when are you looking to put out your first book? Are you looking to self publish or try to find a publisher? Any paper types or formats in mind yet for it?

[@BryanBirks]

@@matthewpoburyny5147 looking to shoot the rest of this year and then possibly start sequencing! Not sure about publishing yet. I would really like to work with someone because I know fuck all about it but after seeing Klaus’s book being self published I may go that route. Lots of time to think about it. Still have a lot of work to do.

[@matthewpoburyny5147]

@@BryanBirks I've been using Blurb to make a personal book a month since the fall (not for selling, just practice) as I am trying to teach myself things about selection, editing, sequencing, pacing and storytelling (as well as using different book sizes to use image as part of the practice too). They have a trade book option which is pretty cheap to make these little test books and with their software it is an easy way to get into at least laying a book. But having an outside voice to give you feedback is very important too but even that self practice I can only imagine would be useful to communicate ideas with a publisher/editor. Or just watch Alec Soth's KZbin and observed as much of his teachings as you can haha

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Nice portraits. I didn't catch whether you're still working with the Speed Graphic with the view screen fixed, or a different camera.

[@BryanBirks]

I’ve been using a Chamonix 45N-1 for a year and some change now. I love it. Wouldn’t really change anything except having separate knobs for rise/fall and tilt. The F2 has that but I’m just sticking with this guy for now.

[@CHRISTOPH-B]

Not pressing record … I have only 3 videos out until now … and that happened to me 2 times already. 🙈🙈🙈 I feel you!

[@BryanBirks]

It’s the absolute best!

[@john_murch]

Great portraits Bryan, thanks for the walk through process. Re; Ektar, shot it once, didn't hate it...😀

[@BryanBirks]

I think I might start using Ektar for everything and just editing it like Portra. It’s cheaper!

[@stasgavrilovru]

Epiс from the first second

[@BryanBirks]

Your comment is epic from the first letter.

[@vtavares00]

Class, as usual.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you kindly, Victor 🖤

[@vtavares00]

@bryan Sent you a message on patreon. Let me know.

[@BryanBirks]

Replied!

[@haakon.borgen]

I bought the book after watching this video! That project is amazing!

[@BryanBirks]

Hell yeah! It truly is. The book is very unique and looks great just as a decoration. The beautiful photos are a bonus.

[@brycepinson8641]

Nice shots. As primarily a landscape shooter, I love Ektar. Almost slide film colors but with dynamic range to boot....Half of the people who hate Ektar think the reds pop too much. These same people are almost always overexposing it by 1-2 stop.... If you look at the Kodak data sheet for Ektar you see that it actually builds up reds the slowest, so any over exposure on Ektar makes the reds more and more saturated and vibrant.

[@BryanBirks]

That’s very interesting but also makes a lot sense. Yeah, Ektar reminds me of digital a lot but with character.

[@otroargentinocamioneroenes5805]

Love your videos buddy!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you kindly, pal 🖤

[@MichaWha]

Team Ektar! Beautiful shots man :)

[@BryanBirks]

Next up is portraits on Ektar. The humanity!

[@MichaWha]

@@BryanBirks Can't wait to see that!

[@Ethaningramphoto]

Ektar is an amazing film

[@BryanBirks]

It really is. Looks a lot like digital but with soul.

[@kaliljasmin]

hey bryan not sure if you did a video about this but where did you buy your 4x5 camera and wondering where you found all your cameras ?

[@BryanBirks]

Every camera I’ve ever bought has been from KEH or eBay. Just have to be very keen on the looking at descriptions and photos so you don’t get fleeced.

[@briandelatierra4629]

Your intro song is lovely. Who is the artist?

[@BryanBirks]

It’s by The Shivers ✌🏻

[@Alexander_Bergstroem]

@@BryanBirks You should start adding info about the artists in your videos. You have such great taste in music! :)

[@TopshelfJunior]

I dont know what's better, the still images or the moving images.. What the heck did you shoot this on ?! lol.

[@BryanBirks]

Haha thanks! I use a Lumix S1.

[@louismellini9390]

I go back and forth with Ektar, sometimes the colors seem a bit too vibrant to me. Never thought it was so bad to outright hate the stock though. Great video yet again man

[@BryanBirks]

Oh, for sure. It is too vibrant for my liking. If I only had it for my project I would definitely have to desaturate it a bit. I left the ones in here exactly like Northeast gave it to me. For some things it is great, others not so much. But that’s every film I guess.

[@mikeboudreaux2964]

People who hate Ektar 100 don't know that Photoshop has a slider for the cyan channel.

[@BryanBirks]

BuT YOU DoNt EdIT fIlM

[@mikeboudreaux2964]

SOOC

[@aaronshapiroedc]

Man, really great video Bryan. I've been watching Soth's magnum course the last week or so and between that and your videos it's got me itching to pull the trigger on some C41 4x5 and hitting the road. One question for you -- I've never played much with movements when shooting 4x5 portraits, did you go to any particular place to learn about those or just experimentation? Thanks dude, come down to Nashville and let's shoot sometime.

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you, Aaron! For movements I would say just practice. Use some stationary objects and just focus on seeing what each movement does. Then, once you get in a portrait situation, it becomes second nature. Also, this video by Fred Newman was extremely helpful in the beginning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Znu4Xph-pdBsbbs Lastly, just look at portraits by large format photographers and try to guess what movements they used. If any. That’s a really fun exercise.

[@margetschistah]

wow! your video footage looks very nice! What camera do you use for video? The Photos are very beautiful!!!

[@BryanBirks]

Thank you, Margo. I use a Lumix S1 and a Sigma 35mm lens.

[@millerviz]

I'd be curious to know what f stops you are using when you are photographing your portraits. You talk a lot about focusing and depth of field. Having the f stops would help put it all together.

[@BryanBirks]

F/3.5 95% of the time.

[@motodiaries8204]

@@BryanBirks Okay, so basically wide open...

[@scotthullinger4684]

Before I knew a thing about professional portrait film and wedding photography, and before I actually owned a medium format camera, I photographed a family member's wedding with Kodak Ektar 25 film. SUPER FINE GRAIN was the only thing on my mind, because I was clueless regarding all the rest. And well ... Yeah. The results showed NO visible grain even on huge enlargements. But the COLOR was quite all horribly wrong for portraits. However, Disneyland and Ektar get along Ok -

[@ldstirling]

Do you think you'd have successfully sold yourself to get those folks to move their cars out of your shot?

[@BryanBirks]

Given enough time, yes.

[@jvladcliff4083]

IDK what people are talking about , Ektar is fantastic AF

[@BryanBirks]

I enjoy it for sure. Twitter, not so much. 😂

[@stuartbaines2843]

Video was good 👍 Liked the grain tower and red store image which I seem to remember seeing you look at before. I think nine shots is a pretty good days effort way more than I typically do.

[@BryanBirks]

Thanks, Stuart. Nine shots is probably the most I’ve ever done in a day. Large format at least. I just said “screw it, I haven’t shot a lot lately”. It was fun to give Ektar a spin as well.

[@stuartbaines2843]

It is a good idea some times to go with your instincts 👍

[@majki3144]

This is just a tribute for unrecorded story ;))

[@BryanBirks]

🖤

[@majki3144]

20$ probably Nick was in this car;)

[@BryanBirks]

Hahaha I would die.

[@davidm5790]

Are you ever worried about somebody finding your channel and being upset that their images are being shared online? This is something I hear could be problematic since people think you stand to gain significantly monetarily, and will pursue action to get some of that perceived financial gain, even if it doesn’t exist.

[@BryanBirks]

Sometimes but not really. I always let them know that I share my work online. My intentions are always in good nature and I always make sure to put people in a good light. I would never try to embarrass or do anything wrong to someone. Plus, if someone did object I would have no problem removing it. They could certainly have a share of the $14.95 I make from the video. 😂