Mark Hilliard, Atelier Portfolio - Working Along Side Of The Old Masters... Film

The "Old Masters of Film" gave us our beginnings... This is something best not taken lightly. We have all studied them and the work they gave us over their lifetimes. Their techniques and advances are still applicable to us today!

How many of you viewing this work have said to yourselves "Gee, I would really like to pick up some film and start shooting it again!" Well, as a life long photographer who has totally embraced the digital world, let me assure you that the thought of again working in film leaves me filled with a desire, almost lust that just will not be ignored! I had my first darkroom when I was just 11 years of age and can still remember it with great fondness. I still like the digital world, its immediate feedback and promise of perfection pull me forward and will not let me go. But it leaves me feeling empty, almost as though something important is missing in my creative soul...

So, after several decades of absence, I again pick up the gauntlet of film and venture forth to create, all the while refilling my soul...

Now, I take as many film images as digital except when teaching workshops (I hope to add a film workshop soon).

I use a curious mix of cameras, some quite old:

For medium format I use:

Mamiya 645 AFDii 120 auto focus system with several lenses, my MAIN system!

Fuji GA645zi, A auto focus 120 system with a zoom lens! My small carry favorite!

Fuji GW 690 III The Texas Leica!

Dayi 6x12 with a Rodenstock 90mm f/6.8 Super Grangdagon. This is a 120 view camera with ground glass!

For 35mm I use old refurbished rangefinders

1962 Petri 7s (takes me back in time)

Olympus 35 RC Beautiful camera in a bright blue set of clothes!

Olympus XA (worlds smallest full size 35mm rangefinder)

Leica M7 with its assortment of world class glass.

For large format I use:

4x5 Shen Hao field camera, with 5 lenses and various back adapters.

Polaroid 900 converted to 4x5 with a Fujinon 150mm lens ( a walk around 4x5)

Polaroid 110B converted to 4x5 with a Super Angulon 90mm lens.

I like all of the systems but really mostly shoot 120 film.

All medium and large format scanning is done by Fluid Wet Mount on a Epson 850 Pro, a lengthy process to be sure but well worth the effort!

For 35mm I scan on a Nikon 4000 scanner.

I have found my center and I am again at peace...

This is the Spring Maid Pier in Myrtle Beach.

I took this almost a year ago and discovered the roll of 120 Across 100 film in my desk yesterday! Took it into the studio and processed it in Xtol stock at 1-N to recover highlights (written on the roll) and wet mount scanned it today. There were only 4 images on the roll (what the heck was I thinking to waste the Acros?)

BW - Fuji GF 667 - 85mm - Roll- Fr - 10 stop ND - f22 - 8mim - Acros 100 - Xtol Stk 1-N -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 40 - Spring Maid Pier Sunrise - 2019-03-20 0001

Mass Confusion...

This is shortly after sunrise at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. This was a 2m 40s exposure captured on a 6x12 Dayi with a 90mm lens and a 10 stop ND filter on Acros 100 film processed in Xtol stock at n-1 to keep control of the highlights.

Data: BW - Dayi 6x12 - 90mm - Roll 7- Fr 11- ND10 +10ev - f32 - 2m40s- Acros 100 - Xtol Stk -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 40 - Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island - 2019-03-19 0001 2

Lady Thelma II and Lady Louise in Apalachicola Fl about 1.5 months ago!Taken on a Mamiya 645AFDii with a yellow filter using Acros 100 film processed in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned.

BW - 645 AFDii - 75mm - Roll 121- Fr 2 - Yellow - +0ev FC - f19 - 1_30s - Acros 100 - Xtol Stk -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 55 - Lady Lousie and Lady Thelma II - 2018-10-27 0002

This is "Daddys Girls" a shrimp boat in Bluffton, SC. My oldest son lives there and we went down to go fishing with him (horrible trip due to weather) but I DID manage to take several images of this boat as we launched . Fuji GA645zi with HP4+ processed in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned.

GA645zi BW - 65mm - Roll 135 - Fr 13 - L Red Filter +1_5ev FC - f5 - 1_400s - HP4+ - Xtol Stock N-1 -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - Lck Exp - D CI 50 -Daddy Girls - 2018-12-02 0001

Sandy Island Landing during the flooding after the recent hurricane. Fuji GA645zi, FP4+ 120, Xtol stock, wet mount scanned. I am working on a HUGE backlog of film that needs to be processed and scanned from 4 major trips and this popped up in my workflow (I missed the roll for some reason).

This location always offers a good variety of scenes that change with the season. The hurricane flooded so bad that ALL of the docks were under water, even cars in the parking lot seemed to be floating. What could be more inspiring yet sad than to document this in film?

GA645zi BW - 90mm - Roll 137 - Fr 15 - Orange Filter +1.5ev FC - f8 - 1_90s - FP4+ - Xtol Stock N-1 -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - Lck Exp - T CI 70 -Sandy Island Landing - 2018-12-04 0001

Berry Mill

Mamiya 645AFDii, 55mm lens, Orange FIlter, HP5+ film processed in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned.I am a bit disappointed in the HP5+ film. It is very low contrast which took me a bit of time to correct in VueScan during the scanning process. On the plus side, the grain is very tiny for a 400 film!

Data: BW - 645 AFDii - 55mm - Roll 123- Fr 10 - Orange - +1ev FC - f18 - 1_8s - HP5+ - Xtol Stk -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 55 -Berry Mill - 2018-11-07 0001

Ahh, the Glade Creek Mill this past Sunday. I can still feel the inner peace from standing there and working the scene! I have been here many times over the years and NEVER get tired of it!This was taken on a Mamiya 645AFDii with a 55mm lens and Fuji Acros 100 film with 5 stops of ND 8 second exposure. Processed in Xtol stock at N-1 and wet mount scanned.

Data: BW - 645 AFDii - 55mm - Roll 117- Fr 5 - 2ND - Minus pt 5ev FC - f32 - 8s - Acros 100 - Xtol Stk -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 55 - Glade Creek Mill - 2018-10-25 0001

Waterfalls found in WV. It is a pretty littles falls and had good water movement!Taken with a Mamiya 645AFDii with the 55-110mm lens and Acros 100 film with 6 stops of ND installed. Processed in Xtol stock at N-1 then wet mount scanned.

It is a bit scraggly but I like it this way!

Data: BW - 645 AFDii - 55mm - Roll 1178- Fr 8 - 6ND - +1_2 ev FC - f22 - 15s - Acros 100 - Xtol Stk -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 55 - Patch Adams Gesundheit Institute - 2018-10-25 0002

Dead Lakes, Florida

There is something very special about this image for me.

I have long wanted to visit this location and follow in the footsteps of Clyde Butcher, (I know that this is not very original) even to the point of wearing waders and shooting this from the water. Alas that is impossible for me now but still, just being here was amazing. I love the glowing quality of this image.

Mamiya 645AFDii with Tmax 400 medium format film

Data: BW - 645 AFDii - 55mm - Roll 116 - Fr 12 - No Filter - 0ev FC - f9 - 1_350 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock N-1 - minus 30s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - D CI 55 - Dead Lakes - 2018-10-14

Lady Thelma II

Mamiya 645AFDii with Velvia 100 medium format film

E6 BW - 645 AFDii - 55mm - Roll 104 - Fr 12 - Polarizer Filter - No Flash - f22 - 1_6 - Plus 1ev - Velvia 100 - Uni E6 Tank 100Df N-0 - 0s dev adj - Wet Scan - 16 Samples - No Lck Exp - - Lady Thelma 00 - 2018-10-14 0001 1

Kathey Dean, shrimp boat in Port Royal, SC.

Fuji A645zi and Kodak Tmax 100 film. Wet Mount scanned.

Data: GA645zi - 55mm f8. 1_60 Plus 2_5 - Roll 29 FR 6 - AVG Metering - RED - 2018 Kathey Dean - Tmax 100 - 2018-02-25 0001

I was really bored yesterday I went over to the island for a half hour to get some shooting under my belt. I took my Dayi 6x12 loaded with FP4+ and a dark red filter. What a fun and VERY fulfilling camera system! And to think, this was only my 3rd roll thru it and I have had it since January. I am going to fix that! Processed the film yesterday and chose the image that had the best clouds today to scan...

I know I broke the rules with a large vertical pano!

The camera has a ground glass back for focus and/or a calibrated focus dial under the lens and 90mm viewfinder so you can focus either both way!

Data: Dayi 6x12 - 90mm - Roll 3 - Fr 1 - Deep Red Filter - +3ev - f45 - 1_8s - Multi Spot meter readings (6) with meter averaging - FP4+ - Xtol Stock N-1 -30s dev adj - Wet Scan - Lck Exp - D CI 40 - Pelican House Dock - 2018-09-23 0002

Hurricane Florence is coming... Spent all day today starting to get ready. But yesterday I stopped by the causeway bridge to Litchfield beach and shot 1 roll of FP4+ film on my Fuji GA645zi changing between the red R24 and R25 filter. I was looking to the North from the bridge. It is a very beautiful spot and scene. This is one of my go to spots when I am looking for inspiration and it did not fail to deliver for me. I was heading home but decided to stop at the studio and put the film into the processor, wait the 20 min then hang it in the drier overnight.

When standing there looking at the clouds I realized that the whites were going to be blown so I subtracted 30 seconds from the development time to compress them down towards Zone 8 so that I could capture the entire dynamic range, then in scanning moved them back up a bit to place them closer to my memory of them and bring the blacks up a bit! I love the effect the deep red filter gives to the blue sky.

It was a pleasant and very satisfying endeavor and made me very happy today when I scanned this image on my way home from preparations.

Data: GW645zi - 55mm - Roll 95 - Fr 8 - Red 25 +3 Filter - f8 - 1_60 - FP4+ - Xtol Stock -30s - Wet Scan - T CI 50 - Litchfield Marsh- 2018-09-09

Stormy Seas in a approaching storm!

Super Pano taken on my Dayi 6x12 medium format view camera. Lens is a Rodenstock 90mm f/6.8 Super Grangdagon.This is an amazing combination of a ground glass focus and calibrated distance focus system.

This was a difficult shot due to wide dynamic range of the image. The sun was over my shoulder and brightly highlighting the boat and buildings. The storm in the background was dark and foreboding... The get this result I used a combination of exposure averaging between 5 or 6 meter spots, -1N developing and creative wet mount scanning by adding +1 to the highlights in Viewscan.

Data: Dayi 6x12 - f32 .4s - Roll 4 F3- Avg Metering - Yellow Filter - Stormy Seas- Tmax 100 - 2018-01-16

Cell 126, Alcatraz, 120 FIlm, hand held

GW645zi - 75mm - Roll 79 - Fr 11 - No Filter - f6 - 1_8 - Tmx 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 40 - Alcatraz Cell 126 - 2018-09-08

As the steamer pulls out one way the diesel goes the other!

This was a quick grab as the beach train (we were on it) was leaving the station. The opening was through some cars on the siding next to us as we also pulled out. This was taken in Felton California last month on a visit. I was watching out the window hoping the catch the steam train leaving as well!

Fuji GA645zi with Tmax 400 film and an orange filter processed in Xtol stock.

Data: GW645zi - 90mm - Roll 84 - Fr 9 - Orange Filter - f13 - 1_60 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 55 - Steamer from Beach Train- 2018-08-15

This smokestack looking thing is actually the Oak Island Light. It is an active lighthouse in the Outer Banks of NC. I was up there 2 weeks ago and spent a little time working with it.

This is from a Mamiya 645AFDii and a 45mm lens using FP4+ film processed in Xtol stock. I wet mount scanned it this past week and just got around to looking it over today. Even though it is a bit on the ugly side it is in fact a function lighthouse, perhaps the newest in the country. I will be heading back there again at the end of this month!

Data: 645 AFD2 - 45mm - Roll 93 Fr 16 - 1_125 f8 - Red Filter - Oak Island Light- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 55- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-08-25

Hunting Island Light

GA645zi - 55mm f22. 1_8 Plus 2_5 - Roll 29 FR 611 - AVG Metering - RED Filter- 2018 Hunting Island Light - Tmax 100 - 2018-02-25

View of the salt marsh in Southport, NC

645 AFD2 - 45mm - Roll 93 Fr 8 - 1_125 f11 - Orange Filter - South Port Marsh- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 55- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-08-25

This is a detail shot of the working deck and pony engine on Gods Grace, a shrimper in the Low Country!

It shows the working gear used when getting shrimp for our dinners...

This type of scene is vanishing from our life. Things like cost, maintenance, over regulation of the fishing industry and worst of all, overseas farm raised shrimp are driving these men and boats out of business. This is a terrible shame because farm raised shrimp is not the same as wild and if you realized what the farms are feeding the shrimp you would never touch them.

So when I find shrimp boats like these I am inspired, NO, driven to document them while I still can...

Taken on my Mamiya 645AFDii using Ilford FP4+ film and developed in Xtol stock.

Data: Mamiya 645 AFD2 - 110mm - Roll 53 Fr 5 - 1_90 f8 - Orange - Gods Grace - FP4+ 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 50- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-07-17

This is the Felton, CA covered bridge. It is above Santa Cruz in the Red Woods and also home of the Roaring Camp Railroad. The bridge is HUGE and the image does not do it justice!

Fuji GA645zi with Kodak Tmax 400 processed in Xtol Stock.

Data : GW645zi - 55mm - Roll 78 - Fr 4 - Orange Filter - f19 - 1_20 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - D CI 70 - Felton Covered Bridge - 2018-08-25

This is the Felton, CA covered bridge. It is above Santa Cruz in the Red Woods and also home of the Roaring Camp Railroad. The bridge is HUGE and the image does not do it justice!

Fuji GA645zi with Kodak Tmax 400 processed in Xtol Stock.

Data Right: GW645zi - 55mm - Roll 78 - Fr 9 - Orange Filter - f22 - 1_8 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - D CI 70 - Felton Covered Bridge - 2018-08-25

Carson Elizebeth, the Accidental Photograph!

Now, here is one that I REALLY like! This is a 6x7 negative from my Fuji GF670 camera with a fixed 80mm lens taken on Rollei IR400 film and processed yesterday in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned today... This was a VERY OLD roll of film, and has been sitting in my shop for over a year marked "Stand Develop" because I forgot what ISO I shot it at! I got tired of seeing it and yesterday threw it onto a reel with FP4+ film and set the machine for FP4! Only one good image came from the IR400 buy OMG is it ever good! Just looking at it gives me the hot sweats!! As I looked at the processed roll I realize that I changed ISO mid roll and that is why I marked it stand. The other images were not worthy of scanning so it was a big win for me!

Data: GF670 with 80mm lens and Rollei IR400 with no filter processed as FP4+ yesterday and wet mount scanned today.

Goodness, I had forgotten how difficult the film is to handle with its very thin film base!

This is the Alice Belle in Southport. I captured her on my Mamiya 645 AFDii and FP4+ film processed in Xtol Stock yesterday. It is a great looking historic boat! You can visit her next to the Fishy Fishy seafood house on the harbor.

Data: 645 AFD2 - 45mm - Roll 89 Fr 5 - 1_125 f11 - Orange Filter - Alice Belle- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 50- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-08-23 0001

The famous criss/cross tree in the Green Swamp in NC! Taken on my Mamiya 645AFDii with a green filter using FP4+ processed in Xtol stock.

Data: 645 AFD2 - 55mm - Roll 92 Fr 2 - 1_8 f16 - Green Filter - Green Swamp Trees - FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 70- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-08-23

Approaching fog at Shark Rock just north of Santa Cruz! Fuji GA645zi using FP4+ in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned I visit this spot once a year when visiting out there and it is ALWAYS different!

Data:GW645zi - 90mm - Roll 80 - Fr 15 - Orange Filter - f11 - 1_250 - FP4 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - D CI 70 - Approaching Fog At Shark Rock - 2018-08-19

Boneyard Beach on Jekyll Island. Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Acros 100 film processed in Xtol stock.This is a 1.4 second exposure to slightly smooth the water.

Data: 645 Pro TL - Roll 32 Frame 11 - 80mm f22. 1_4 - AV Metering - YEL - 2018 Jekyll Driftwood Beach - Acros 100 Scan Exp Lock- 2018-03-15

Engine 2641 (The Beach Train) from Felton, CA to Santa Cruze. It is a 3 hour round trip with a break at the boardwalk in the middle! It is a very impressive train and locomotive and I really enjoyed the ride and the photos!Taken on my Fuji GA645zi with Tmax 400 film processed in Xtol stock and wet mount scanned.

Data: GW645zi - 65mm - Roll 83 - Fr 7 - Orange Filter - f16 - 1_125 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 55 - Engine 2641 - 2018-08-19

Capt. Mike, not long for this world... Engelhard, NC. Mamiya 645AFDii with FP4+ 120 film.

Data:BW - 645 AFD2 - 110mm - Roll 72 Fr 2 - 1_125- f9 - Orange - Capt Mike Sinking Shrimpers Engelhard- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - T-CI 40 - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-07-14

Jordan at the top of a mountain above Santa Cruz standing on a giant Red Wood after a steam train ride up there on Dixiana! This was taken on a Fuji GA645zi on Tmax 400 film.

Data: GW645zi - 55mm - Roll 86 - Fr 16 - Orange Filter - f4 - 1_350 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 50 - Jordan on Redwood- 2018-08-16

Here is the covered bridge at Roaring Camp Railroad from last week. I used a Fuji GA645zi camera and Tmx 400 film with an orange filter, processed in Xtol Stock and wet mount scanned.

Data: GW645zi - 65mm - Roll 82 - Fr 15 - Orange Filter - f11 - 1_250 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 55 - Roaring Camp Bridge - 2018-08-16

This is Dixiana, a 160 year old steam engine in the mountains near Santa Cruz. We went on a 1.5 hour trip with her thru the giant redwoods last week. A very interesting small yet high strength engine with a geared drive to all of its wheels driven by a central exposed drive shaft to be able to pull up 8% steep grades. Slow but powerful!This was done on my Fuji GA645zi and Tmax 400 film. I had wanted to take my Mamiya 645 AFDii and lenses but that was just way too heavy to carry around for a week! The Fuji with its 4 position zoom lens worked great.

GW645zi - 65mm - Roll 86 - Fr 3 - Orange Filter - f9 - 1_180 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 55 - Dixiana- 2018-08-16

This is Dixiana, a 160 year old steam engine in the mountains near Santa Cruz. We went on a 1.5 hour trip with her thru the giant redwoods last week. A very interesting small yet high strength engine with a geared drive to all of its wheels driven by a central exposed drive shaft to be able to pull up 8% steep grades. Slow but powerful!This was done on my Fuji GA645zi and Tmax 400 film. I had wanted to take my Mamiya 645 AFDii and lenses but that was just way too heavy to carry around for a week! The Fuji with its 4 position zoom lens worked great

Data: GW645zi - 75mm - Roll 86 - Fr 14 - Orange Filter - f6 - 1_90 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 50 - Dixiana- 2018-08-16

Our train is arriving! A 3 hour trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk! We spent the day there then rode the train back into the mountains thru the giant Redwoods! This is called the beach train and part of the Roaring Camp Railroad.This was on my Fuji GA645zi using Tmax 400 film. I really wanted to take my Mamiya 645 AFDii and lenses but it was just too much to carry.

Data: GW645zi - 55mm - Roll 84 - Fr 5 - Orange Filter - f13 - 1_125 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 40 - 2651 Big Trees and Pacific Railroad - 2018-08-1

Ellen and Jordan on a ride at the Santa Cruz boardwalk last week.Fuji GA645zi medium format camera with Kodak Tmax 400 film

Data: GW645zi - 90mm - Roll 65 - Fr 7 - Orange Filter - f11 - 1_125 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 40 -Jordan and Ellen

Sky riding at Tower 2 in Santa Cruz California! This was captured last week while Ellen Jordan (my 9 year old film shooting grandson) and I were exploring the San Fransisco area together!Fuji GA645zi camera because I wanted to pack light with an autofocus metering zoom medium format camera.

Data: GW645zi - 90mm - Roll 84 - Fr 16 - Orange Filter - f16 - 1_250 - Tmax 400 - Xtol Stock - Wet Scan - T CI 55

Independent Seafood. No birds there that day but nice clouds and a really moody dynamic range with the bright boat and a dark shiny building. The sky also helps. This is one of my weekly visits, always hoping for a good sky and perhaps an Egret begging for fish at the door!Taken on a Fuji GA645zi with FP4+ film in Xtol stock. Wet mount scanned.

Carson Elizabeth detail, this grungy dirty boat kinds of speaks for itself. I was looking for more of a story here with the reflection of the sun in the wheel house window against the deep moody clouds in the background. This was a planned image.Fuji GA645 zi using FP4+ film processed in Xtol stock in my Filmomat and wet mount scanned.

Stormy Seas, FP4+ Ilford 120 film in Xtol stock developer. I find this very moody and the clouds really highlight the boat. I am getting slight flow marks on the vertical edges so I might crop it a bit to remove it.The camera is a Fuji GA645zi

Here is some of the Georgetown SC shrimp fleet. Mamiya 645 AFD II with FP4+ in Xtol Stock (1:0), Wet Mount Scanned!

Data: BW - 645 AFD2 - 55mm - Roll 55 Fr 16 - 1_90 f8 - Orange - GT Shrimpers - FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - D-CI 55- - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-07-17

This is a view of the shrimp fleet in Swan Quarter from the west end of the marina!

Last week I was in ENC (Swan Quarter and Engelhard North Carolina). The time was spent shooting Shrimp Boats in film and teaching IR photography! While in Swan Quarter, I was looking at the work areas where the boats were repaired and found many interesting compositions! Swan Quarter is SO full of amazing subjects that I could have spent an entire week there exploring! As it was I shot 10 rolls of FP4+ and 4 rolls of Ektar.

These images are captured on a Mamiya 645 AFD 2 and a 55-110 lens at 55mm using FP4+ and processed in Xtol stock for 8 min in my FIlmomat processor.

Last week I was in ENC (Swan Quarter and Engelhard North Carolina). The time was spent shooting Shrimp Boats in film and teaching IR photography!

While in Swan Quarter, I was looking at the work areas where the boats were repaired and found many interesting compositions!

Swan Quarter is SO full of amazing subjects that I could have spent an entire week there exploring! As it was I shot 10 rolls of FP4+ and 4 rolls of Ektar.

These images are captured on a Mamiya 645 AFD 2 and a 55-110 lens at 55mm using FP4+ and processed in Xtol stock for 8 min in my FIlmomat processor.

While standing here the owner of the left boat and his kids came out to talk and told me the story of his boat! He had purchased it a month ago and was rebuilding it. The boat sunk 4 times in it lifetime and he said it was good enough to go our after shrimp the next week!

This is a work area directly across from the boats!

Last week I was in ENC (Swan Quarter and Engelhard North Carolina). The time was spent shooting Shrimp Boats in film and teaching IR photography! While in Swan Quarter, I was looking at the work areas where the boats were repaired and found many interesting compositions! Swan Quarter is SO full of amazing subjects that I could have spent an entire week there exploring! As it was I shot 10 rolls of FP4+ and 4 rolls of Ektar.

These images are captured on a Mamiya 645 AFD 2 and a 55-110 lens at 55mm using FP4+ and processed in Xtol stock for 8 min in my FIlmomat processor.

Stormy Seas from the stern...

BW - 645 AF2 - 45mm - Roll 55 Fr 10 - 1_90 f8 - Orange - Stormy Seas - FP4 125 - Xtol Stock - Filmomat - T-CI 80 - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-05-29

The BIG Cleat!

645 AF2 - 45mm - Roll 51 Fr 816- 1_120 f16 - Orange - Carson Elizabeth- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock -D-CI 50 - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-05-13

Carson Elizabeth, Georgetown, SC

645 AF2 - 45mm - Roll 51 Fr 8 - 1_125 f8 - Orange - Carson Elizabeth- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock -D-CI 50 - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-05-13

Georgetown, SC Wire Steel Mill

645 AF2 - 45mm - Roll 51 Fr 1 - 1_60 f8 - Orange - Steel Mill- FP4 125 - Xtol Stock -D-CI 50 - Scan Exp Lock - Wet Mount - 2018-05-13

Inside the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island, SC with my Fuji GA645zi medium format camera and Kodak Tmax 400 developed in Xtol 1:1Lens at 55mm - Y Filter - GA18 Exp 6 - Tmax 400 10-11-17 - Wet Mount scanned

Isn't it wonderful what scenes you can find inside of old buildings? Atalaya is a LARGE house with a huge courtyard in its center open to the weather. You can walk about the inside of the rooms around the courtyard moving thru a small central walk between rooms. It is simply magical inside especially if your are working with B&W film!

The Debbie - John and wrecked Shrimp boat in Beaufort, SC during a bad storm. I had to stand with an umbrella over the tripod for this!The old shrimpers along the NC, SC and GA coasts offer an opportunity to really study our history. They are amazing scenes that draw me into the image and simply will not let me go. They inspire me to the point that I actively search them out in my travels.

Shot on my GA645zi on Kodak Tmax 400 film, processed in Xtol 1:1 and wet mount scanned on an Epson 850.

This is the breeze way in the Atalaya Castle in the Huntington Beach State Park. While not really a castle, it was a private residence.The building makes for interesting and powerful B&W images any time of the year.

This was taken using a Fuji GA645zi ( an amazing small medium format system ) and Kodak Tmax 400 120 film, processed in Xtol 1:1 and wet mount scanned on an Epson 850 pro.

On of my scans from today. This is 120 6x4.5 medium format Kodak Tmax 400 film processed in Xtol 1:1 with my Fuji GA645zi and a yellow filter, taken on a VERY stormy day in the Port Royal Town Docks where the shrimpers live...

I love the dark stormy sky and the rain drops on the water in front of the shrimpers. It inspires me to immerse myself into the creative process of capture, development, wet scanning and processing. What better than to record decaying boats with old technology!

I actually managed to get partially caught up in my film processing! I will be posting some of these images this week.

This is a detail shot of the French Creek Mill near Nashville. This was taken on the cusp of darkness with dark splotchy clouds, the image came out quite well. I used the Fuji GA645zi with Tmax 400.

Here is the data: 55mm - Y Filter - GA13 Exp 6 - Tmax 400 11-13-17 - Xtol 1:1 - Wet Mount scanned on a Epson 850pro

I love these old mills and will drive hundreds of miles out of my way to visit and photograph. This is one of 3 mills I visited in one day on the road! There is something etherial that draws me to them and I seem unable or unwilling to fight against the drive! :)

his is the AMAZING Anderson Mill in South Carolina. It is the only mill that I have seen with 2 wheels. This was taken on a Fuji GA645zi using Kodak Tmax 400 120 film and processed in Xtol 1:1 then wet mount scanned today!

I like the fact that you can shoot this location from across the stream which gives a much better composition. Plus there is just something very special creating images of old mill, bridges and shrimpers using medium format film and processing them with your own hands!

Yes I left the imprinted exposure data on the bottom of the negative so that I would not forget it!

Here is the grounds of the Valentine Mill near Nashville . This was on a Fuji GA645zi medium format camera using Kodak Tmax 400 120 film processed in Xtol 1:1 on Sunday and wet mount scanned today.

This is an amazing location that requires another visit to further explore. I got here just prior sunset and the light was all but gone.

There is something about working these old mills that touches my soul. I know that they are not long to be with us so I hurry to document (artistically) them while I still can! They inspire me in so many different ways that I could not verbalize them all!

Here is the grounds of the Valentine Mill near Nashville . This was on a Fuji GA645zi medium format camera using Kodak Tmax 400 120 film processed in Xtol 1:1 on Sunday and wet mount scanned today.

This is an amazing location that requires another visit to further explore. I got here just prior sunset and the light was all but gone.

There is something about working these old mills that touches my soul. I know that they are not long to be with us so I hurry to document (artistically) them while I still can! They inspire me in so many different ways that I could not verbalize them all!

My last one for Stormy Seas for a few days. This is a slightly different angle of view and highlights the entire length of the boat. I actually like this composition a bit more than the last except for the fact that I did not leave enough room on the top and bottom which setting the lens to 65mm would have improved. Oh well, I know that I will be there again later this week but only shooting it on Infrared film (Rollei IR400)

This was taken on my Fuji GA645zi on Acros 100 film using a red filter to highlight the clouds.

I find this scene simply magical and I am inspired and motivated to revisit again and again. The light & sky are always different and new giving a better and more moody image!

Fuji GA645zi - 75mm - F8 1_90s - R filter - GA6 Exp 11- Acros 100 11-1-17 - Wet Mount Scanned on an Epson 850.

This image is of the salt marsh in Litchfield, SC taken yesterday evening during a storm with amazing clouds and reflections on the water. I rarely visit this location, but really should more in the future. The peace of the scene drew me into it and would not let go. I stood there for quite a bit taking it all in. Sometimes it is more important to immerse yourself in the scene before you even pick up your camera to capture it!
The data for this image is:
Fuji GA645zi - 90mm - Red Filter - GA5 Exp 16 - Acros 100 film processed in Xtol 1:1 yesterday. Wet Mount scanned on an Epson 850 today.
I hope that you enjoy the image. I left the data imprinting on the film, but when it comes time to print I will remove it.

This is the old iron rail bridge in Thurmond WV with heavy fog dropping down this side of the mountain. It is a old ghost town on a major rail system that still has an active stop and station! An amazing location to visit!

This was on the Fuji GW 690 III camera with Acros 100 in Perceptol 1:1 and wet mount scanned!

Normally I am not much on this type of subject but after processing the film I got VERY excited over what I had captured! Now I find myself inspired to try more of this type of subject matter in the future. I took 3 different shots of the bridge from varying distances, but did not try a landscape version with the station in it. Now I am just going to have to revisit again!

Mash Fork Falls Camp Creek State Park, WV
Here is a 6x9 medium format version of a recent 4x5 version of the same scene but about 2 days later. I just love the capability of the medium format Fuji GW690 III camera system! It is much easier to carry around and operate. You will see a 4x5 version of this exact image below this one.

Here is the data:

GW 690 III
Acros 100
Exposed 8-11-17
Reflected -1ev
Perceptol 1:1

There is something amazing about this location. It is off the beaten path away from the camp ground and quiet except for the sound of the falling water. To get the shot you have to wade into the water covered bowl to center the falls. It is truly an amazing time to stand there in the quiet rush of the falling water.

Here is something special to me. While in West Virginia 2 weeks ago I took along my Shen Hao 4x5 and 12 sheets of film! This was my first image of the trip. It is the Mash Creek Falls in the Camp Creek State Park near the New River Gorge. It is a secluded set of small falls that you can drive to if you are not afraid of non paved roads!

I have been here several times over the years and this is the first time I took Large Format and Medium Format film cameras as my main photography tools.

You can (actually need to) wade into the creek in the bowl of the falls to setup your shot. The peace and quiet other than the falling water draws you into the scene to the point that one can loose all track of passing time! I spent about an hour under the dark cloth of the 4x5 camera and shot only 4 sheets of film. This was an incredibly inspiring time for me and I didn't want to leave even knowing I would be back again in 2 days! I left full of peace and contented at the knowledge that I had this shot in the bag.

Data:

Shen Hao 4x5 field camera with a Nikkor 135mm lens

Fuji Across 100 film processed in Perceptol 1:1

Wet Mount Scanned today on an Epson 850 Pro scanner

How about some floral closeup work in 4x5?

These are purple pansies.

Shen Hao 4x5 with Nikkor 150mm lens on Tmax 100 film and processed in Perceptol at 1:1.

Sometime I forget that it is worthwhile to get closer to your subjects and look for a different view! This holds true with 4x5 film also!

This is a Wet Mount scan on the Epson 850 pro.

I LOVE film photography, especially large and medium format systems. There is something about working in film and chemistry that inspires me to go out more often and work the entire creative process that film demands. It slows me down, WAY DOWN and fills me with a joy that digital just cannot do. Now couple this with amazing scenes with moving water like this one or grand vistas or better yet grist mills and shrimp boats and couple them with the old ways then it can and always is a very fulfilling and satisfying endeavor!

This is...

Hooker Falls in North Carolina.

Shen Hao 4x5 field camera with the 150mm Nikkor lens,
Kodak Tmax 100 rated at 320 and processed in Perceptol 1:1

Multi Exposure Wet Mount Scan on a Epson 850 pro with Viewscan

Miss Lue and the hungry egret...

Fuji GW 690 II 6x9 camera (Texas Leica) with Acros 100 120 film processed in Perceptol 1:1

\I love shrimp boats but there was an Egret who kept running inside the seafood store and stealing shrimp! An amazing display of adapting to the feeding opportunities. I stood here and just marveled at the scene and only took a single image... Sometimes it just works....

A while back I was visiting Fort Polaski just off of Tybee Island and was enjoying the large canons overlooking the Cockspur Lighthouse!

The fort was amazing and full of possibility for both digital and Film photography. I love the location and the history was amazing. It was a very inspiring day for me. What better way to photograph the old fort than with film! If you have the time you should visit this fort, it is just before the final bridge crossing to Tybee on the left. Call first and make sure it is open, it was badly damaged by a EF2 tornado about 2 months ago.

This is one of the large canons overlooking the lighthouse. I took this on a Fuji GF 670 camera (alas broken now and going in for repair) using Kodak Tmax 100 120 medium format film in the 6x7 format and developed in Perceptol 1:1 which delivers a very fine grain and increased sharpness.

Here is a new image from this past Friday on Tybee Island, GA of the light house.

Taken on Kodak Tmax 400 rated at 200 and shot at 100 with a yellow #11 filter on my Fuji GW 690 camera. I processed in Perceptol at 1:1 but next time I think I will try 1:3.

I am switching to Tmax 400 in an attempt to save my 100 for other work till it comes out again if it ever does.... Oh well.

Wet mount scanned on an epson 850 Pro yesterday.

Had to take an entire roll to get the flag standing straight out!

Here is Yosemite Falls from across the valley. I shot with a Fuji GF670 with a red filter and Kodak Tmax 100 120 film rated at ISO 64 and processed in Perceptol 1:1. The medium format makes a great travel companion and this one folds up quite small. I am quite please with the results. I spent today doing wet mount scans and got 7 images scanned!

Lefler Mill, Fuji GF 670, Kodak Tmax 100 , Perceptol 1:1

Yosemite from Tunnel View. 6x12 120 FIlm

Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View. 6x12 adapter using Kodak Tmax 100 rated at 64 ISO with a yellow contrast filter.. Loved this location and shot with TWO cameras each time we visited there! I have this image also in 6x7! Processed in Perceptol 1:1 and wet mount scanned on a Epson 850 Pro.

I would have loved to seen this view with clouds or a storm but you take what is given to you. We spent a lot of time in Yosemite and I loved every moment. If I make it back there in the future I will dedicate the next visit strictly of 4x5 and simplify my camera load out.

Mirror Lake, Yosemite Acros 100 120 Film

This is Mirror Lake under Half Dome which is the rock starting and rising out of the right hand edge in Yosemite. This was on the Fuji GF670 using a YELLOW filter with Fuji Acros 100- film processed in Perceptol at 1:1 this weekend. Yes, a different film from Kodak.

I normally shoot Tmax 100 or 400 but I ALWAYS keep Fuji Acros 100 in my bag BECAUSE It HAS NO RECIPROCITY FAILURE up to 140 seconds and then only 1 stop past that! It is a crisp film with very small grain.

For me it is ALWAYS about the image regardless of Large or Medium format. Film selection is as important as subject!

I took about 15 rolls of 120 medium format film at Yosemite. This was wet scanned today on an Epson 850 Pro

This is the Tybee Island Light and we will be spending some time here! This one was taken on 4x5 large format film a month ago developed last week and scanned today!

On an overcast day I came upon this shrimp boat in Port Royal and captured it on Kodak Tmax 100 4x5 film on a Polaroid 900 with a Fujinon 150mm lens converted by Steven Icanberry . Processed it last week in Perceptol 1:1 and wet scanned it today.

I found this tree covered dirt road going off to nowhere on the way home from Hilton Head SC.

It was shot with a Fuji GF 670 on Acros 100 film using a yellow filter and processed Sunday in Perceptol at 1:2 then lived in the film dryer till I scanned it yesterday on a Epson 850 using wet mount.

I really liked the scene. It was just prior to sunset and very peaceful. Sometimes it is the un-expected that can draw us in with inspiration!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Polaroid 110b converted to 4x5 with a Schneider Angulon 90mm lens and Kodak Tmax 100 processed in Perceptol 1:1

This is from my my new camera by Steven Icanberry, an old Polaroid 110b film body that is converted to 4x5 with a new lens and set of cloths!

This is the FIRST negative from the camera as it was delivered the day before my workshop! I LOVE the action of the 110b, so much easier to focus than the 900 but harder to close!

I just get lost in the process of working with film. There is something about the process that brings great joy to me. It goes beyond inspiring, it is all consuming! I find that I work more in film now than digital.

Murrells Inlet Fleet, Polaroid Type 55, 4x5, Wet Scan

Sometimes the edge markings are just as interesting as the subject!

Trees and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Polaroid 900 converted to 4x5 with a Fujinon 150mm lens and Kodak Tmax 100 processed in Perceptol 1:1
This is from my workshop this past week. It was great and a lot of folks got the chance to try out Steven Icanberry's 4x5 conversions!

Montreat Cascades, Kodak Tmax 100, 4x5, Perceptol 1:!, Wet Scan

Berry Mill, Polaroid 900 with Fujicon 150mm lens, Kodak Tmax 100 4x5, Perceptol 1:1

Berry Mill, yes on the campus of the Berry College south west of Atlanta. This is one of the more exotic mills in the US as it has the largest wheel (42 feet) in North America. The sharpness and detail in this 4x5 image is simply amazing. Zoom into the rear on the outside of the wheel to see what I mean. I visit this once a year every year. It always looks the same but still excites me each and every visit.

Montreat Cascades, Kodak Tmax 100, 4x5, Perceptol 1:!, Wet Scan

Pelican Dock, Polaroid Type 55, 4x5, Wet Scan

Sometimes the edge markings are just as interesting as the subject!

Stormy Seas, Kodak Tmax 100, 6x7 Fuji GF670 Perceptol 1:!, Wet Scan

Springmaid Pier captured on Fuji Acros 100 film on a RX67 II Pro camera and 180mm lens. This is a 8 min exposure.

A large storm moves over downtown Charleston, SC. Kodak Tmax 100 120 6x7 on a Fuji GF670. Wet mount scan on Epson 850

This is the Euharle Bridge near Atlanta from a workshop last summer. I did this with a Fuji 670 in the 6x7 format using Kodak Tmax 100 processed in Perceptol 1:1 and scanned Wet Mount on an Epson 850

Pelican House Dock, Fuji GF670 and Tmax 100

Broken Pier, Kodak Tmx 100 on a Fuji GF670

Stormy Seas, RZ Pro II with 65mm lens, Kodak Tmax 100 120 Film, f/32 @ 1/10s, Yellow Filter, Wet Scan. Did this last week, developed last Monday, scanned Wednesday and processed today. Great clouds.

Bryce Canyon Hoo Doos, Sunset Point, Olympus XA Tmax 100 135!

Yes, I RARELY shoot with 35mm but sometimes you have to shoot what you have on you at the time!

Olympus XA with Tmax 100 @ 64 in Perceptol 1:1 scanned on a LS4000 The Perceptol at 1:1 or stock requires a 1 stop drop in effective ISO but gives much smaller grain and increased sharpness. I am so thankful at finding this developer!

This is the long view of the Lower Yellowstone Falls taken from Artisans Point.

I used an Olympus XA with Tmax 100 rated at 64 and processed in Perceptol 1:1 for increased sharpness and small grain. Of course you loose film speed doing this (1 stop) but the increase in sharpness reduction in grain is worth it!

Normally I would never use a 35mm camera for this type of work but this was a 2 week trip to 9 national parks and I did not have ANY room for a medium format camera. This is why I chose the XA because it is the worlds smallest 35mm rangefinder and has great glass! In hindsight I can now see that was a mistake and I will always carry a small Fuji GF67 medium format camera when I travel! Aside from that I have to tell you that even a small format 35mm camera still enabled me to capture some great images.

House in Tobacco Field, Eastern NC.

Voigtlander Bessa IIIw in 6x7 with Rollei IR400 120 film developed in Perceptol 1:1, dry scan on Epson 850.

Pawleys Island Pier & Groin, RZ II Pro with 180mm lens, f/45 at 120 seconds with 10 stops of ND filter. The film is Fuji Acros 100 120 processed in Perceptol 1:2. I scanned this wet mount on a Epson 850 Pro with 2 sample passes and multi exposure.

Pawleys Island Pier & Groin....

RZ67 II Pro with 65mm lens and Fuji Acros 100 film processed in Perceptol 1:2, wet mount scan.

Iron Horse

Olympus XA (worlds smallest 35mm rangefinder) Kodak Tmax 100, Perceptol 1:1 Scanned on a Nikon 4000.

On this 2 week trip out west to visit 9 national parks I did not have room for anything film related other than a tiny 35mm!

Tiderunner, Hilton Head, SC near Hunting Island.

Grounded to keep her from sinking!

Rollei IR400

Leica M7 w/ 50mm Summalux f/1.8 Processed in Rodinal 1:50 today for 12 min.

Green Swamp in 720 IR FILM

Leica M7 with 28mm Elmarit f/2.8 ASPH and Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal 1:50 for 12 min!

The Bent Oak...

Leica M7 w/ 28mm Elmarit. The film was Rollei IR400 processed in Rodinal at 1:50 for 12 min with no filters.

15 days...

Leica M7 w/ 50mm Summalux 1.4 ASPH. The film was Rollei IR400 processed in Rodinal at 1:50 for 12 min with no filters.

Oak Island Lighthouse

Leica M7 w/ 28mm Elmarit. The film was Rollei IR400 processed in Rodinal at 1:50 for 12 min with a yellow filter.

Stormy Seas Detail

Olympus XA Rangefinder with Kodak Tri-X film developed in Rodinal 1:50

Salt Marsh Dock

Olympus 35 RC Rangefinder with 45mm lens and Kodak Tri-X film developed in Rodinal 1:50

The salt marsh and boat houses on Pawleys Island... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Low Tide... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Pawleys Pier... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Oak Reflections in Infrared... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Shrimp Boat Detail.... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Spring in the South... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

At Rest... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Long Exposure... Leica M7 with Rollei IR400 film processed in Rodinal

Confusion... Petri 7S with Eastman Double X film processed in Rodinal

The Lookout... Petri 7S with Eastman Double X film processed in Rodinal

Entry to the sea... Petri 7S with Eastman Double X film processed in Rodinal

Lefler Mill, Kodak Tmax 100 120 Medium Format FIlm

Lefler Mill outside of Atlanta

Captured on Kodak Tmax 100 with a 830nm filter attatched for a super long exposure but Infrared it is! Used a Fuji GF670 with the B+W 093 filter for an exposure time of 8 seconds. It was a very bright day! Wet mount scan on a Epson 850 Pro

Rotting Away... Petri 7S with Kodak Tri-X film processed in Rodinal

Which Way? Petri 7S with Kodak Tri-X film processed in Rodinal

Driftwood... Petri 7S with Kodak Tri-X film processed in Rodinal

Pawleys Island Beach Houses

Olympus 35 RC Rangefinder with 45mm lens and Kodak Tri-X film developed in Rodinal 1:50

Fuga City

Olympus XA Rangefinder with Kodak Tri-X film developed in Rodinal 1:50

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