About
This is about my photography background and f8Vision.
I outline the photographic formats and equipment I use and why.
For many film photographers the "digital revolution" has been a huge benefit, making many iconic film systems remarkably affordable over the past few years.
All my images at f8Vision are made on film and digitally scanned. The only manipulations applied are to help faithfully reproduce what film recorded.
Sadly for the film manufacturers, many of the finest films ever developed only became available a few years prior to the "digital revolution" - how ironic!
In the articles below I discuss my continuing preference for film media; outline the specific films I use and why and detail the formats and systems I use and what they enable.
WHO AM I?
My name is Simon Galbally (SimonPG). I live in Melbourne, Australia and shoot multiple photographic formats depending upon what I am trying to capture and how that is best achieved.The photographic formats I shoot are: 35mm (or 135 format); medium format - 120 roll film (6x6); panoramic format - XPan; and large format - 4x5 sheet film and 6x12. Each format having its specific benefits and purposes - different horses for different courses!
Overall my favourite format, giving me the better of two worlds - reasonable convenience and large film area capturing the finest details - is 6x6 medium format. But is not always the "ideal" format to work in.
For total convenience such as in street photography, no system and format provides a better tool than the 35mm rangefinder camera.
And when shooting something very special that requires complex manipulations of the image, the enduring technical capabilities of the 4x5 view/field camera is simply a joy to any photographer.
I am occasionally hired to take photographs for others - weddings, homes, landscapes and personal / professional portraits. I also occasionally provide photography coaching assistance.
Equipment is simply a tool and a means to an end – the ability to create images that give me and others pleasure.
The simplest image may hold great value to me for reasons that may escape others. Likewise, others may see things in my work that were not so obvious to me.
Photos and text are copyright of f8Vision and SimonPG