Hey there, amazing people! Hope everything's been good with you. It's been buzzing over here lately, so why not catch up with some quick behind-the-scenes iPhone shots? Nothing fancy or elaborate, just some real moments and their stories from this past week or so. Ready to take a look? Scroll on.
The photo above reveals my large format camera configured vertically for a product shoot. Originally, the plan was to use the location's built-in rig system, but I hit a snag—the lock meant to secure the camera was stripped. A quick tip: tighten your equipment as needed, but don't over-tighten. To avoid any risks, I opted for an improvised rig to capture the shots we needed. Having a reflex viewer in such situations is invaluable, providing multi-angle viewing options, whether it's sideways or backward. While this setup might not win beauty contests, it achieved its purpose effectively. This underscores the importance of carrying a versatile toolkit of small accessories, tools, and problem-solving gadgets. When working with mechanical systems, the ability to troubleshoot and adapt is paramount. The expansive white material you see is high-grade diffusion fabric, which cuts down light by two stops. To achieve the desired exposure at an f22 f-stop, I had to bring in some seriously powerful lighting gear.
The next photo gives you a glimpse through the large format reflex viewer in a standard setup. As mentioned earlier, this accessory serves as an adjustable mirror, flipping the upside-down image you'd typically see with large format film cameras to a right-side-up view. In the studio, this simple yet effective tool streamlines the workflow, enabling quicker and more efficient shooting.
Next up is a view from the Rolleiflex 2.8. For this shot, I used a Rolleinar I on the lens, which allows for a closer focus on the subject. The shot required a low-profile setup, so to achieve this, I propped the camera on an Apple box and supported it with a small floor stand. This makeshift but effective solution helped me capture the shots exactly as expected.
The next pair of images focus on my Mamiya C330, specifically the ground glass screen I had to replace before using it for a portrait session. What's captivating about older cameras like this is their mechanical simplicity. They're a bit like classic cars—every part is straightforward to repair or replace, usually involving nothing more complex than a bolt, a screw, or a clip. It's all tactile and hands-on, making the experience of using and maintaining them uniquely rewarding.
Gathered a selection of 35mm film to gift to some aspiring film photographers. We have to build each other up ;)
Going through some movie prints for an upcoming project.
To unwind and engage in some cinematic study, I ended the week rewatching a classic film. Kudos to those of you who can identify the movie from the still above.
Nothing beats that post-shoot drive after wrapping up a full day on set. Took a quick video to share the mood—it's hard to capture fully, but the ocean view in the early evening is definitely a vibe.
❤️🔥🌊🌙
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