Okay, so, I saw this guy, Ben Horne, the other day. This dude is all about that old-school, large-format film life. I mean, the guy’s lugging around an 8×10 camera. You know, those massive wooden boxes that look like they belong in a museum? Yeah, that’s his jam. I’ve been seeing his stuff on YouTube for a while, and I gotta say, it’s pretty impressive. It got me thinking, maybe I should give this a shot.
Getting Started
First thing’s first, I needed a camera. Now, I’m not exactly rolling in dough, so I couldn’t just drop a ton of cash on some fancy new setup. I started scouring online marketplaces and found a used 8×10 camera body for a decent price. It was a bit beat up, but hey, it had character. The lens was another story. I managed to find an old, brass lens that looked like it had seen better days. I figured I could clean it up, and even if it wasn’t perfect, it would be a good starting point.
The First Outing
With my camera and a few sheets of film, I headed out to the local park. I’d watched a bunch of Ben’s videos, so I had a rough idea of what to do. Set up the tripod, unfold the camera, attach the lens… it was all a bit fiddly, to be honest. It felt like I was assembling a piece of antique furniture rather than taking a picture.
Then came the focusing. Man, that was a pain. With a digital camera, you just point and shoot, right? But with this thing, I had to get under a dark cloth and peer at an upside-down, reversed image on the ground glass. It took forever to get the focus just right. The slightest movement, and the whole thing was blurry again.
Developing Disaster
After a few hours, I had exposed a few sheets of film. Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I packed up and headed home. Now, I didn’t have a darkroom, so I’d bought a changing bag. It’s basically a lightproof tent that you can stick your arms into. I’d also picked up some developing chemicals and trays.
Developing the film was… an experience. I felt like a mad scientist, mixing chemicals in the dark, trying not to spill anything. It was incredibly stressful. And, to no one’s surprise, I messed it up. Badly. Most of the negatives were either completely blank or just a mess of streaks and blotches. It would be useless.
Trying Again
I was pretty bummed, not gonna lie. I’d spent a bunch of time and money, and I had nothing to show for it. But I’m not one to give up easily. I watched more videos, read more articles, and tried again.
This time, I was more careful. I double-checked everything, made sure the chemicals were mixed correctly, and took my time with the developing. And you know what? It worked! Well, sort of. I had a few negatives that actually looked like something. They were far from perfect, but they were mine.
The Results
Scanning the negatives was another challenge. I didn’t have a fancy film scanner, so I just used my flatbed scanner. The results were… okay. The images were grainy and a bit soft, but they had a certain charm. There was something about the whole process, the physicality of it, that made the images feel special.
Lessons Learned
- Patience is key. Large-format photography is not something you can rush. It takes time, patience, and a lot of practice.
- Embrace the imperfections. It’s not about getting a technically perfect image. It’s about the process, the experience, and the unique look that film provides.
- It’s okay to fail. I messed up a lot, but I learned from my mistakes. Each failure brought me closer to understanding the process.
So, yeah, that’s my Ben Horne carrot story. It’s been a frustrating, messy, and ultimately rewarding experience. I’m still learning, still experimenting, and still loving the process. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a challenge, and a way to connect with photography on a deeper level, I’d say give it a shot. You might surprise yourself.