Graflex.org

john wilton · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 26

People might be interested in these grabs from 'Paul Strand: Under the Dark Cloth' (Kino DVD).

Italy, with Home Portrait.
Ireland, with Home Portrait. (with detail shot)
Ghana with small Graflex at age 74. According to soundtrack, using handheld for first time.
France, 1970s with Home Portrait.

pv17vv · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject:

Nice to realise the size of the beast when like me you've never seen one for real.

Thanks John.

Georges

DHF845 · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject: Paul Strand

Never realized Strand was a Graflex man. Always thought (based on the style of his work) that he used a view camera. These shots show that Graflex LF SLR's are often used like view cameras. The way he's using that Home Portrait is the way I've been using my Series D.
Some people think a Graflex is a fast-action camera. With its FP shutter, it can be, but let's face it, they were upstaged in the action dept. by 35 mm a long time ago.
I've shot football with a telephoto on a Graflex. It ain't easy when everything is reversed left-to right, and you have to constantly look down at the camera to change film holders or advance film, reset the mirror, rewind the shutter.
I love my Graflex, it's my favorite camera, but when I go shoot a sports event or my kid's modern dance class performing, out comes old reliable Nikon F and 135 Nikkor Tele.

erik g · Joined: 13 Aug 2001 Posts: 5 Location: new england

Strand's camera was customized IIRC. It started life as a 5x7 but he had it modified to be a 5x6 because he liked the proportions better. He didn't just crop either, but had the camera altered for the new format, with custom holders too. Kind of fussy to me, but it was seeing Strand's negatives that convinced Ansel that photography could be his path and passion.