JEREMY DAALDER::PHOTOGRAPHY:TECHNIQUE
If you would like to read Jeremy Daalder's thoughts on digitial image manipulation, please click here.
Jeremy Daalder works predominantly in the large 5 by 4 inch format, with some work on 35mm when manouevrability, speed or low weight is required.
He has chosen large format for the unparalleled quality it gives to the final print. Images from large format film can be blown up far beyond images from normal film or digital SLR cameras, while maintaining their sharpness and without degrading due to film grain or digital noise. Prints from large format film offer sharpness, detail annd texture unachievable with other means.
All this contributes to final prints offering unsurpassed quality.
Large format photography is slow (up to 20 minutes per shot), expensive, and contemplative. It does, however, offer the ultimate in image quality.
Jeremy uses an Ebony RW45 camera. If you've seen old movies where the photographer has his head under a blanket, you've got the idea.
This is a traditional design camera, with the image viewed upside down at full size on a piece of ground glass under a dark cloth. The lens is on a separate board at the front of the camera. Focussing is achieved by racking the lens in and out from the ground glass. Unlike modern cameras, the lens is not always fixed parallel to the film plane. By allowing the lens to tilt and swing off the axis of the film plane, significant gains in quality of the final image can be made. Special effects with non-obvious planes of focus can also be achieved.
The Ebony RW45 camera is a modern version of this classic design. Manufactured to order in Japan from kiln dried mahogany and titanium, it is a work of art in itself. It offers great flexibility in movements and lens focal lengths, while also offering excellent rigidity and a very low weight for this type of camera (around 2 kg or 4.4 pounds without lens).
Jeremy has chosen Schnedier and Fuji optics for their combination of fantastic sharpness and colour fidelity. These lenses are modern designs, relatively low in weight, and are optically amongst the best in the world.
Jeremy uses a variety of films, including Fuji Velvia, Provia, Astia, Kodak T-Max, and Maco 25. He uses 5 by 4 inch and 6 by 12 cm (using a Horseman roll film back).
Jeremy uses filters only to counter deficiencies in the way film records light. No coloured filters are used. He uses the Lee system of filters, specifically the polarizer and graduated neutral density filters.
Jeremy uses Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods and monopods.
Jeremy uses a LowePro All Weather Nature Trekker backpack...with a total weight of over 15kg of photographic equipment when loaded. It has a great harness and good protection from the elements.
Sometimes large format photography just isn't possible, and with a set up time of up to 20 minutes per shot it can be difficult to be spontaneous!
Jeremy Daalder also occasionally photographs with Nikon 35mm cameras and lenses. These offer excellent image quality, high build quality, and flexibility. He currently uses
Images on this page taken from the camera manufacturers:
Ebony and Nikon [links open in a new window]