Basic Photography Techniques
Large Format Photography
- Black and White
- Infrared photography
- 3-D photography
- Flash photography
- Video Photography
- Macro photography
- Night photography
Large format photography uses a large camera with a flexible bellows connecting the front and back. The lens is attached to the film plane by a bellows and while there are no zoom lenses in larger formats, just different lenses, the bellows connection allows greater flexibility for adjustments.
The size of film in Large format photography is 4x5 and up to 20x24. Large format film is in sheets the size of the photo as opposed to small rolls.
With the large image size of large format photography photographs are clear and sharp with better tone. A much greater scope of detail is found in large format photos than in conventional 35 mm cameras.
Large format film is used in individual sheets and changing films is more convenient for the photographer because of this. Each sheet of film is individual and is processed as such, giving the photographer greater ease in changing film and in the photography process itself. One entire roll won't be spoiled by any mistakes.
Large format cameras have no auto controls and everything is done manually. Much thought has to go into processes that, in an automatic camera, would be done by the camera itself and not by the photographer. Attention is imperative to the success of a shot.
The equipment for a large format camera is heavy and can be difficult to carry around. When shooting large format film a tripod must be used. Things that took a relatively short amount of time take much longer with large format photography. For instance, loading the film and its holder takes longer than popping in a roll of 35mm film. Shaking of the camera is more likely as the exposures take a longer time. Macro photography isn't possible in the large format. The lens required for macro photography would have to extremely large to accommodate such a task.
Ultimately, for the photo enthusiast, the benefits of large format photography are worth the effort and difference between conventional and larger photography.