I have read Photo.net and LUSENET for months before ever asking my first question. There truly is a wealth of information here and I have learned a great deal. As a beginner I read all of Phillip's educational articles and found them to be very helpful. I am wondering if there is some way to streamline the process from becoming interested, to efficiently acquiring enough knowledge, to purchase the correct equipment, so one can finally practice the art of large format photography.

Does anyone have, or is anyone aware, of some sort of an artistic vision priority inventory / needs assessment algorithm to increase the likelyhood that a new view camera photographer would aquire the most appropriate equipment to achieve their artistic vision within their budget? Such an assessment / inventory, especially on-line, could efficiently point many beginners like myself in the correct direction while minimizing the number of similar questions that have already been asked and answered but may not necessarily be easily located on LUSENET.

Thanks to all whose contributions make this net so valuable, Charles

-- Charles Mangano (cmangano@heart,umaryland.edu), July 21, 2000

Answers

Join a camera club and ask questions.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), July 21, 2000.

make alist of everything you need lens light meter camera etc. then imagine the types of pictures youll be taking.then reasearch to find out what is available and what you can afford then ask the advice of people on this forum.-J

-- josh (devil_music@usa.net), July 21, 2000.

artistic vision priority inventory / needs assessment algorithm ????

Wha'd He say?

Charles, are you in the Benjamin Bldg at College Park, or elsewhere?

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), July 21, 2000.

I think (projecting myself on others) that view camera users are destined to use view cameras out of some innate stubbornness. I think it is a metaphysical calling -- we hear St.Ansel's call rather than a Behavioral algorithm. Dean

-- Dean Lastoria (dvlastor@sfu.ca), July 21, 2000.

Just a minute, I have to get my dictionary.

OoooKaaay, what is your artistic vision, what is your budget?

-- Raven (mtand13@netreach.net), July 21, 2000.

Charles look at the work of photographers you admire and see what equipment they use in particular what focallength lenses they use for their particular subject matter. Of course I'm not saying copy them but even if you did, initially this wouldn't matter for sooner or latter you will evolve your own style/vision. Regards,

-- Trevor Crone (tcrone@gm.dreamcast.com), July 22, 2000.

Charles... don't expect to buy the perfect combination of equipment for YOUR needs based on someone else's recommendation. It's not going to happen. Start with some used equipment in good condition and use it to learn what you actually need. Then you can buy, sell, and trade for the system that is best suited to your needs.

Besides... searching through the used equipment at camera stores and swap-meets, and the "horse trading" can be a lot of fun.

-- Dave Richhart (pritprat@erinet.com), July 22, 2000.

Hey Trib or Sean, wha'd he say? Vision needs assesment? Take your prints to the street corner and ask John Q. Publicv what they think of them. They'll tell you. Join a club. Start your own. That way you can kick out anyone who doesn't like your work. Join PSA and enter your work in their critique programs. Algorythm programs? Huh what! Sheesh! Speak anglish dude. Lumberjack

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), July 22, 2000.

Charles, please help me out. Have you been using other formats? Or are you completely new to photography? Do you want to use large format because of the fine detail, the movements on the camera or are you looking to draw a crowd? Or do you have another reason? Being photographers, we never have exactly what we need to bring our artistic vision to fruition. We could have always done more with this focal length lens or that lens. Different filter, better lupe stronger tripod, whatever. We are never happy. Thats just the nature of the game. Go to your local camera store, ask to see what they have in large format. See how much it costs,play with everything, meters, tripods, cameras, film holders everything, and buy what feels right. trust your instincts. You may buy something you don't need just because its shiny and thats ok. Then just jump in. Large format is a wonderful ride, because it keeps you humble. j

-- jacque staskon (jacque@cybertrails.com), July 23, 2000.

Charles, from this and other recent postings, I get the impression that you are confused because there are so many possibilities in LF and you don't have a clear purpose. It will be difficult to find what works for you without trying. It was what I did at first. For a year or two, I shot roll-film, 4x5, and 5x7. After that, what I liked became clear and I got what is still my current camera. I suggest you try what gives you the most options, and then decide a year from now. You don't have much to loose. Lenses are interchangeable between cameras. The cost of buying and reselling a used camera is pretty small since there is no obsolescence.

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), July 24, 2000.