[LargeFormat] Headline: Little Camera Guy Intimidated by New Toy

[Verna Knapp]

http://www.ai.sri.com/~luong/photography/lf/how-to-operate.html

This site has a very nice list of the steps involved in actually using 
the camera, including details. They are in the order in which you would
actually want to do them, in all likelihood. I have printed this list
and have it in my camera pack. It makes a nice checklist. Eventually it
will become habit, but for now, it is helpful. While you are learning,
it will save you some film. ;-)

Enjoy, and don't let the beast intimidate you! I wasted a year being
intimidated when I first started. Eventually I took a class to force
myself to use it. Just get out there and burn film and don't expect too
much of yourself at first. It can take a while, and that's OK. It will
eventually work for you. Probably after you have made every possible
error at least once, so just expect that and keep going.

Verna


> 
> 
> I'm a reasonable capable photographer (I think) with about 30 years of
> experience in 35mm and medium format.  Recently, I made the decision
> to take the LF leap.  I received the camera today, a Calumet 540 with
> 150mm Caltar-II N lens.  Now, it's been an awfully long time since I felt
> intimidated by a camera, but I will confess to some trepidation at this
> time.
...
> I'm guessing the place to begin is with as little complicating factors as
> possible, i.e., no movements for at least the first shot or two...
> 
> What have I missed?
> 

-- 
Life is what happens while you are making other plans.