During the not-so-cold January workshops, our students went out to the streets of New York to capture the city in large format. Guided by teacher Greg Miller, they discovered the world of film photography and got to create some beautiful portraits. These are their images and thoughts on the experience.
“There’s no hiding with large format photography. Even when you duck under that blanket to attempt to wrangle your focus, you’re very visible. From a time before street photography and snapshots, 4×5’s and other large format cameras force you to slow down, to interact with your subjects, and to really observe the scene in the viewfinder as one quickly learns that film does not grow on trees. The cameras are clunky, inconvenient, and strangely beautiful. They look more like accordions than cameras and weigh enough to build a strong appreciation for technological advances. But the photos they can make are in a class of their own. They can be incredibly sharp, powerful and marvelous. These photos can make all the frustrations, heartbreak and utter confusion worth it. Which goes to show as Greg Miller @gregmillerfoto taught us: it’s far more about the photos you produce then what you use to produce them. So best to stop worrying and point the camera at something you love and care about”.
Billy Hickey @ahickeysituation
“I took ‘Portraiture and Street Photography Large Format’ workshop with Greg Miller focused on approaching and photographing people and places on the streets of Manhattan. It completely changed the way I utilize the camera and how I approach photographing people altogether. The process of making images made me slow down, manage a subject and methodically compose a portrait that reflects my vision and that has definitely improved my work. This workshop covered technical and conceptual sides that may apply to create a strong image and we learned how to edit and sequence the work”.
Netnarin Padungjirapuntip @makemydays365
“In the workshop I learned about the general use of large format, but also how to use it with lightness and just like any other camera. I learned to interact more with the people I photograph, I learn to not hesitate to place them too. We also addressed the topic of happiness as a photographer, and as human being. I do plan on using large format for my long-term project as it slows me down and make me engage with people differently”.
Violette Franchi @violettefranchi
“I really learned a lot from the large format workshop. It was a game-changer for me. During the class, I learned how to approach to the subject and the way of communicating with them. I am going to continue taking large format picture, if possible”.
Seung Jae Seo @wittgens1
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