john_smith343 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 <p>Hello everyone,<br> a somewhat stupid question, but I'm wondering why - in the digital age of smartphones and DSLRs - some photographers working with medium and large format - are still using Polaroids for pre-visualization (I'm thinking of Philip-Lorca diCorcia for example).</p> <p>Thanks in advance,<br> john</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Because they know the media and have developed the understanding of how to translate the feel of the Polaroid media to the print. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 <p>When I was using 4x5 cameras, I always took the shot on Tri-X negative film and on Polaroid Type 52. Not really for previsualization, but for</p> <ul> <li>insurance - you knew you had at least one image</li> <li>and because the tonal range of the Polaroid Type 52 was unparalleled in any modern negative medium.</li> </ul> <p>When Type 52 went away, not to mention the disappearance of the 4x5 film pack, I went to fine grain 35mm. Today, we hardly ever use anything for scientific data recording except digital.</p> <p>For years after auto-exposure and autofocus came in, many professionals who had developed intricate work patterns, continued to be all manual (as some still are). The pros are often the last to adopt anything really new.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJG Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 <p>As someone who shot a lot Polaroid when shooting 4x5 transparency film, I can tell you it is a lot easier to see what is or isn't working in a photograph when you have a tangible image in front of you rather than an upside down dark image on a ground glass. Even today's much improved DSLR camera screens aren't as good for me, but they cost a lot less, and you don't have to wait a minute or two to see them.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Andrew Gillis makes very solid points. There's a different psychology at work when you look at a print than there is when you are peering through a viewfinder, ground glass, or digital camera's preview screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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