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Thank you! I’m holding onto it as a backup but the GFX is worlds better. The dynamic range especially. The buttons on my 5dsr are also starting to fail but to be fair I’ve really beat that thing up over the years haha.

Thank you! I’ve never checked that area out. I’ll need to make a stop on my next trip. Thanks for the tip!

Those are excellent points. It’s something I have struggled with as often I’ll pass on going out to shoot because I’ll think of the backlog of work I still have ahead of me (developing and scanning film, processing etc.) and decide I don’t want to add to the backlog.

Great eye! When I mention the second composition for the 6x17 in the top section that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I wish I had shot it but let the weather scare me out of it. I’m loving the gfx but still trying to learn how to use it. I’ve used canon since the original 5D so the menus are very foreign to me

Thank you! It was a chaotic shoot but it’s such an incredible place, I had to share

Thank you, I appreciate it! And yes, you definitely do. I’ll try again next year. Hoping to try some astrophotography out there.

Haha thank you! Unfortunately it’s often the most miserable conditions that make for the most interesting images

Oh my… that is BRILLIANT! I am going to pin this comment and I’m 100% doing that next time haha. Also, I think white sands is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I can’t wait to go back. I really hope they bring back the backcountry permits because I spent way too much on early entry permits last time.

@@MrNegative Yeah, supposedly they shut it down to do some maintenance. That was four years ago. I’ve been out there several times and absolutely nothing has been done. It was a a very unique location for Milky Way photography with the added bonus of a sunset & sunrise…

I think when I asked they said they were doing a study on the impact of camping on the area but four years seems like a lot… I really hope they bring it back because shooting Astro there would be incredible

I’m still cleaning sand out of my kit! It’s brutal but so beautiful. You’re lucky to be so close! Thank you for watching and for the kind words.

Thank you, Robert! I left feeling like the images didn’t do justice to the conditions, so I appreciate the kindness!

Thanks! You’ve got no excuse you gotta get out there! It’s getting to the point of year it’ll get too hot to be out there in the mid day.

Thank you, James!

Thank you, michel!

Wow, thank you! I don’t think the images did the conditions justice, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Thank you!

I think you’re spot on. In general I think dunes are best shot telephoto focusing on the details. Just about all the dunes images in my portfolio are telephoto and I had hoped to get some wider shots on this trip. Especially some that included the mountains. I was trying to force that to work and it just wasn’t. I agree on the warm glow. Not to mention there’s no amount of processing that will ever actually replicate that light. It’s either there or it’s not.

Thank you, Terry!

Haha thank you. I definitely edited out a whole lot of me limping around the dunes. I definitely got my butt kicked out there.

I’ve always wanted to do that! Our local botanical garden is huge but there’s always a crowd and I assume a tripod wouldn’t be allowed. That sounds like an amazing experience.

@@MrNegative yes, and the huts, plinths, as well as the trees make it a great place to visit, I also took a MF hasselblad H there (film-6x4.5 and B&W Across 100) looked GREAT; just a tip, pick a non school holiday, and a time in mid day, when everyone's at work, makes the crowds manageable, But beware of the 4 wheelers (maintenance vehicles ) they have drivers who have a mind of their own :-) , just so you don't get run over a 'spotter' with you is a boon, they help watch your gear, and a 'mate' to have a coffee with, to make it a perfect trip.

@andyvan5692 those are excellent tips. Ours used to do a tulip field that I thought would make an excellent image on 6x17 but for they haven’t done it for a few years. I’ll need to head over there in the next couple of weeks and see how it looks.

Thank you!

Maybe not… and yet you clicked on a 14 minute video about it. And then took the time to comment as well. Thank you!

You should try it on paper!

When using a rag paper I use a varnish (I show this process in my most recent video). This is how I finish most of my prints. When I have an image that I want the highest level of detail I will print on a gloss RC paper and laminate with a Drytac laminate. The process is largely the same as mounting but you have to be extra careful with dust as even a small bit of dust will show as a bubble in the laminated print.

@@MrNegative Awesome and thank you. I am concerned about the market appeal of dye sub on aluminum. People like the pop, but I don't like the CMYK color gamut compared to my 11-color Canon 4100. I will try the method you mention, while also putting out varnished canvas and rag prints (I just saw your awesome video on that) on dibond.

@user-kp1jk5fe4v I’ve never been a fan of dye sub. It’s definitely eye catching and has the benefit of being very durable but the images always look a little Soft to me due to the nature of the process

I haven’t had issues with creasing but I usually go right from the printer to the laminator for mounting. I haven’t used ilford smooth cotton in a while, I might need to give it another look. I haven’t tried the elegance velvet yet. What I like about optica is the level of detail. I often find rag papers to lose a lot of that fine detail. Also, I was just checking out your website. Fantastic work! “Breakthrough” is absolutely incredible! I’m a sucker for panos. Really good stuff.

I should have mentioned that. I mostly meant for spraying it’s best to stick with one because the print is vertical. But yes with rolling I imagine you could easily get away with more coats. The steel wool would stress me out haha! I’ll have to try that. Great idea.

@@MrNegative Yep. I also place the print vertically, even for rolling. You'd think I'd get lots of drips, but if you use thin coats and roll, roll, roll until it becomes just tacky (you can hear this happen), the drips never happen.

Excellent tips! Thank you for sharing your experience! You were the one that originally inspired me to do this and I haven’t looked back.

Haha I know, I’ve been lagging big time. I’m hoping to get back to a weekly (maybe every other week :)) upload schedule. Thanks for waiting and watching!

Great eye. It’s a Logan 660. Excellent cutter and very easy to use. I got it practically for free from a frame shop that was closing. Handles boards up to 60” and does straight and bevel cuts.

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

@@MrNegative I've been shooting on 4x5 for 15 years now. Before that, I shot 18x24 24x30 9x12. It never gets boring.

You are so right. It definitely never gets boring. 4x5 is one of my favorite formats

I am SO jealous. I’ve always wanted to shoot there! Let me know how it goes and let me know what you think of e100!

That’s a great idea. I may need to give that a shot. Also, love the name haha

Thank you! I’m way behind but should have some new videos out shortly.

Do you by chance know what kind of paper it is?

Ah, okay so likely a fiber based paper. I definitely agree mounting it to glass is a bad idea. I’d recommend you find somebody with a mechanical dry mount press. Flattening fiber based prints is fairly simple with heat and pressure. I’d recommend taking it to somebody that has experience doing this, given the fact this piece is not replaceable. I wouldn’t take the risk of doing it yourself if you don’t have a dry mount press. If you can’t find someone to flatten it for you, I’ve seen people use an iron. Assuming it’s a small print, you may be able to try that with some kraft paper to absorb moisture and protect the print surface. I still don’t recommend it, and haven’t tried it personally, but know others have had success with the method.

@@MrNegative Thanks for the advice. I've decided to live with it as it is and use your archival mounting process. Even "somebody with experience" could make a mistake and as you say "the piece is not replaceable" (an autographed photo of a 1930's jazz star). Thanks again.

I think that’s a great decision. Working with something that old would be very tricky and quite frankly terrifying haha.

@@MrNegative 👍❤

Definitely always trying to reduce paper and test prints. I’ve actually moved to the RH designs meter that helps greatly with that. I’m not sure I agree with using a single filter and getting the same results though. I think with some negatives that’s probably the case but I like being able to split the exposure for different grades, especially with dodging and burning. That’s where I see the biggest benefit. I would eventually like to try the heiland split grade module and see if that improves results with this method. Either way, I look at it like another tool in the belt. Not necessary on every print but good to know when you need it. Thank you for watching and commenting!

The iPhone image is obviously going to be closer to reality than the flat RAW file. In fact what I often do is snap a photo with my iPhone so that I can reference it when editing my raw files to get them looking true to the scene.

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

I did. I almost never shoot without a tripod.

Thank you!

Gosh it’s hard to say because I had dense cloud/rain my entire trip! Haha. I can say for sure you’ll have at least a few hours a day without the day trippers (morning and evening) so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get the shots you’re looking for. Good luck and enjoy!

I’m jealous! I hope you get good weather. I don’t think anyone will mind the small tripod but the platform shakes quite a bit from people moving. Especially the railing with people leaning on it. Just be careful it doesn’t get knocked off. Once the day trippers leave you’ll have a much easier time.

My camera actually survived just fine. I’m sure some of the dust on my sensor is from Death Valley… but overall not bad. The damage is really the lenses. Especially using zooms, that sand gets in every crevice and you’re left with a “crunchy” feel when you zoom and focus. I absolutely abuse my kit, but even for me this was a bit much haha.

That’s good to know. I’ve never broken one, but I tend to be pretty good about only doing a half turn. Now I know that’s a risk if I go too far though! I haven’t tried 8x10 on this setup but might need to give it a try. I bet you could get away with it on shorter bellows draw but would worry a bit more if I had a big heavy lens racked out haha. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Yes it would require spacers. You can either use acrylic spacers or strips of the mount board. Or if the frame has a rabbet specifically for the glass, which I don’t usually like.

It is smaller. In this case it was about 1/4” smaller than the print on each side. Because the print rests on the tape and not the board, there’s a small gap. If the board isn’t smaller, it will be visible. I also reverse bevel the mount board so it’s less visible as well.

Oh man, a few people have asked haha. Sorry for not including them. I’m about to do a video on film scanning so I think I’ll put these at the end of that video just to show, but I was planning to use another seascape I captured on film on this trip for the example in that video. I promise going forward I’ll always scan the film and show it.

Thank you. Yes I apologize I never got the dry mounting video up. I promise I’ll have it up in the next month or two. I’ve fallen WAY behind! I’ll cover drymounting in both a manual and vacuum heat press in that video. The cliff notes are that it keeps the print perfectly flat. The downside is it is VERY difficult to reverse. If the mount were to be damaged, it’s as if the print itself were damaged. For that reason, museums and many collectors would usually not accept drymounting and would opt for one of the processes we covered in the first three parts. Hope this helps until I get the part 4 out!

@@MrNegative thank you for the details! Looking forward to the video, you've got a subscriber!

I have not but if you find it please let Me know! That would be brilliant

This is what they're called: Falcon (Marshall) Print Mounting Positioner. But it doesn't seem they're available anymore.@@MrNegative

@mje1625 I’m surprised there’s nobody that makes a new version. Seems like a simple and easy to use design. Thanks for sharing I’ll keep an eye out for a used version

Haha you’re so right. If it wasn’t on video, nobody would believe it. I loved being at the beach but didn’t take long to miss the mountains!

Haha thank you!

Thank you! When you say previews do you mean a view of the ground glass or do you mean showing the scanned positives? I have another video coming next week with some film images so will make sure to include whichever you mean.

@@MrNegative the scans. The same way you show the digital files at 3:00. I specifically look for videos and creators that show enlarged scans of film shots. There aren’t many out there. I watch on a large tv so it’s pretty enjoyable to see them

@@MrNegative like how you did at 11:45 in “capturing Colorado’s fall majesty” video

@tdawg719 ah, that’s fair. I usually only scan the film I plan to put in the portfolio but can see why, as a viewer, you’d want to see them. I’ll make sure to do that going forward. Thank you for the feedback!