Arizona Treks

 There was no way I could stop with this plant with the 8X10.  The 8X10 still feels huge and cumbersome and that tends to inhibit the creativity.  When you have equipment that is not totally comfortable the context is changed to one of working with the equipment rather than working with the image.  The 4X5 was that way in the beginning but now it actually feels like a compact camera and is very versatile and easy to use.  So I spent a couple of hours shooting the flowers with it and am very pleased with the results.  

All of the series is quite pleasing but these are my favorites.  They are busy but not cluttered and appear to have good cohesion.  I used the Adox CHS 50 film and I am thrilled with the results.  I am getting along quite well with the film so far and am looking forward to shooting it in the field and comparing prints with the TMax.

For each of these shots 2 lights were used.  One to the left was a large soft-box, the one to the right was a bare reflector.  I seem to be using that type of configuration frequently now.  Partly for convenience and partly because I like the results.  Use the soft-box to provide overall illumination and soften the shadows and the reflector for providing highlights.  Frequently though I will add barn doors or a snoot on to the reflector to provide more control.  Bit for these, just a bare reflector.

One thing I always keep in mind when working with artificial lighting is the closer the light is to the subject the softer the light.  If you want to create strong shadows, move the light back, for softer shadows, move the light closer.  When I first started using artificial light this seemed to be backwards but that is the way it works and can be used for creative effect.