[LargeFormat] Joy Abounding

[rstein]

Dear Nephew Philip,

     When I am in doubt I go to the bookshelf in the studio. Right between
the bottle of Bundaberg rum and the complete collection of Naughty Bits
magazine I found my old Linhof Practise book. It had a page on the then-new
Super Rollex with the fold-out handle. I was able to load and fire the new 6
x 9 back safely and the test negatives are currently drying. They look to be
in perfect registration.

    I have no troubles with my printer provided he is kept supplied with hot
coffee and baked goods. He prints right out to the edges and then some -
this is the result of new eyeglasses and an odd easel. Fortunately you can
cover a multitude of sins with a good print trimmer and there is always the
comforting old waste bin....

    My exposure accuracy is fairly good - I use a cheap flash meter and
expensive monoblocs and as the film is pretty consistent in quality most of
the shots come out well. I have avoided transparencies as most of my work is
paper prints direct to the customers rather than published material. The
advent of my RA 4 tabletop processor has meant a vast increase in output. Of
course I covet more and better machines but that has been the case since my
first electric train set - it is a fine incentive to work harder and starve
the family so that new equipment can be acquired.

    One bit of advice - avoid ALL gardening. If you water and weed it only
encourages the growth and then you have to cut and dispose of the clippings.
You can get serviceable rubber grass at shops that supply sales promotional
equipment and if pressed for appearance you can cover the front yard with
beer bottles and cars on cement blocks. Trust me on this.

     Uncle Dick