10 FAQs About Large Format Portraits

In 2024, I took 100 photographs of strangers with the camera you see below. I did this once a day as a ritual, until it came a habitual process to walk up and feel natural and comfortable around people with a object out of time. Naturally, This sparked conversation with inquiring eyes. I had many questions from not only the people I photographed, but also the people I walked by in San Francisco. These are the top 10 most frequently asked questions I was asked and my answers to them:

1. How old is your camera?

The camera you see is called a Kodak 2D (8x10 view camera) was built sometime in the mid 1930s… Yes, it still works. I don't know the exact date, but being 90 years old makes it a relic that can still capture beautiful images and stories in a photograph.

2. Can you still buy film?

Absolutely. Although film photography has fallen out of popular culture. Manufacture and sales of film products never halted... Although it got dangerously close! Today film is on the rise. Even major production movies in the 21st century such as Oppenheimer (2023), La La Land (2016), Inception (2010), and many others are still shot on the same film that I can put in the camera I use.

3. Do I have to "hold still?"

Holding still for a photograph harkens back to the “wet plate” era of photography where taking a portrait would take minutes in decent light. This is not the case for modern film when a photo can be over before you snap your fingers. But the key here is, yes sometimes you will have to stay still to be in focus, just not as long as you're probably imaging.

4. How long is the exposure (time to take a photo)?

On a sunny day, a fast film will take a photo faster than you can blink. Indoors under softer light, that will have to be adjusted to about a half second. However, when taking pictures, taking measurements of light is always necessary for a photo.

5. Do you develop your own film?

Yes, I take pride in developing all the film I shoot by hand. This is done in a makeshift darkroom at home.

6. Do you make prints in the darkroom?

I am an artist at heart and making a photograph by hand brings me pure joy. When I make prints in the darkroom, it is much more laborious than just hitting print on the computer, but the reward is so much sweeter when you see it in your own hands.

7. Why do you choose this over other formats like digital?

The large format camera that I use is an extremely focused and mindful process. I appreciate and respect it as an art form. It is a form of photography that yields no compromise. Everything is in my control and it is up to me and me alone to make the image come into manifestation. No automation and no shortcuts. For some this will seem daunting, but for me it means creative liberation.

At the same time this allows me to take every photograph with a slower and more intentional approach. I can focus more on composition, lighting, and the story of why this photograph is significant to begin with. It brings me into the moment and that's what we all strive for, right? To become more present in the moment?

8. How long have you been doing this?

I bought my first camera in late 2016 (I was 28). Before then I was studying drawing and painting since the age of about 8. But I really got into these big, old cameras during the 2020 pandemic. Since then, it has become the focus of my work.

9. Do you have exhibitions of your work?

I am relatively new in this field of work, but yes. I have some recognition. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area so I have had my work published in a local magazine and displayed in public galleries around the city.

In the near future, I see my work becoming more accessible and well-known as I make more photographs, more hand-made prints, and focus my work into exhibition worthy showings.

10. How much does each photo cost?

The focus of my portraits is to make a photograph that will become a memorable piece of art that is worth keeping and handed down through generations. Your family will cherish it as they not only look at this photograph of you, but touch it, hold it and read about you and your history. They will feel connected to you and proudly call you family.

I have photographs of my grandparents that hang on our walls and I look at their faces with proud eyes. I want the same for you as well. Check out my pricing page here. 

Thank you for reading. I look forward to see you again soon. :)