Yashica Mat - Velvia - Seashore Image

[Laurence]

I'll jump in with one here.

In the interests of this Slide Show sub-forum, I thought that this
image shows the detail capable with an "old" Yashica Mat 124 TLR
film camera.

Bear in mind that an original transparency can be a fun thing to
have as a result of using a film camera. There is a sort of
tactile relationship between the brain and the film, using these
wonderful tools.

Contrary to digital images, these transparencies can be printed
directly using various non-digital printing mediums. But they can
also be altered to digital status via scanning for those who might
still want a digital file for using the various procedures for digital
printing.

Also, there is a bonus to being able to project the original
transparencies that makes them seem almost "touchable" when
projected onto a screen or a wall. To me, the images seems more
"deep" and more dimensional than a digital image on a monitor.

A shortcoming of imaging on the web for a computer monitor is that
the true detail and sharpness of the original transparency gets lost.
The original transparency for this image is markedly better looking than
this screen rendition, but it is posted to give an idea of what the original
scene looked like.

So, I think you have the best of both worlds with transparencies.
And in any case, using a film camera for transparencies OR negatives
is a delightful experience of excellent machining processes, and the
actual use of metals in a robust unit that can last for many decades.

So anyway, here is a sample from a 6cm x6cm (approx
size) transparency from a camera that is almost 50 years
old, using MODERN Velvia film that is less than one year old.


Kelp Strand
Yashica Mat 124 with 80mm Yashinon Lens
f:8 and 1/125th
Velvia 50
In this case I felt that Velvia was the way to go. I had Provia 100 loaded
in another film insert, but the Velvia brought out the true orange tones
in the rocks, as well as showing the small bright orange slashes of part
of a Sea Star body in the left frame. If I could do this over, I would have
stopped down to f:11 to enhance depth of field all the way through the
depth of the image. The banner of kelp was spread out beautifully across
the rocks from the wave action.

[Attila]

Come on Larry ! This is unbelievable even if I know your genius! So real, so 3D amazing!!

[poilu]

I fall down of my chair once more!

[Katastrofo]

Somebody strap Poilu in his chair!

Just awesome, Laurence, and agree about the 3D quality. Superb detail!

[Laurence]

Attila, poilu, and Bill. Well, I HONESTLY didn't feel that this was a
truly good image; I posted it because I wanted to post something
new, even if it was in my section of "well maybe" images that didn't
quite make the cut.

But this codifies that we shouldn't critique our own images, because
there is too much in the way based on what we internally feel are
shortcomings.

Since you guys obviously seem to like the image, I will move it "up"
in the heirarchy of my hard drive into the Keeper files!

That is the beauty of having critical eyes from experienced photographers
take a look at images, even if the originator isn't sure about the quality
of his/her own image. Thank you for the input, you've changed my mind
on this one.

[Nesster]

Perhaps artistically this is an equipment/film demo item, but MAN oh MAN I can feel that seaweed, and smell it, it is so perfectly clear. And that by itself carries merit. A keeper

[Laurence]

[Seele]

Lawrence,

Wait til you get into 4"X5" colour transparencies.

[Laurence]

[voytek]

Larry, I am really jealous....

[trifox]

there's nothing to say !!!




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