Today I got to spend time with Dr. Greg and Dr. Katie Roth. They are old photography friends who specialize in historic photographic processes that pre-date silver gelatin photography. The practice primarily wet plate collodion and dry plate photography.
Greg made me the generous gift of a 5×7 wooden field camera after I had recently discussed how so many of my landscape images seem to fit the 5×7 proportion best.
We met up at Finch Arboretum for Greg and Katie to show me the workings of the new to me camera. I decided to make my first official image with the camera of a portrait of theme standing with their other 5×7 camera.
I once again chose to use the green sensitive X-Ray film because I really enjoy the tonal scale of the film for portraits. I did learn that this film lacks an anti-halation backing and so you see a bit of a halo on the highlights of the metal tripod leg.
Overall I am very happy with the new camera and grateful for these dear friends.
