first fall season wedding

Brilliant wedding in Hilton Head, shot lots of film, tried out Ektar 100, amazing stuff.
In fact I shot a smorgasbord of film, all natural light and the Mamiya 80 1.9, simply a killer lens.

Super 8

Wedding Film from Richard Israel on Vimeo.

Here is my second Super 8 film, the first was back in 1985, I shot a movie backdrop for a fashion show, beautiful models, shooting with a really old clockwork Kodak camera hanging off London buses and the Doors LA Woman soundtrack. I had a blast and never quite forgot the experience.

I recently became awed with Andy of Portal Films work so I thought I'd give it a shot.
A totally enjoyable experience, learning Final Cut Pro, a major challenge.

cinematograhy

Calling oneself a cinematographer seems to be all the rage in the wedding industry these days. My friend Andy Jackson of Portal Films is truly a ridiculously talented man and is totally worthy of the title. I've yet to see better. Andy is also a very talented still photographer too. Take some time to check out his blog.

Texture

I love grain, we all hate noise. I especially love the randomness of films' grain.
It even sounds better :-)



Contax G2, Zeiss 40mm, 2.0, T Max 3200

The beauty of natural light

I just love natural light, this was part of bridal lingerie story for Elegant Bride Magazine. Just gorgeous north light and lots of big reflectors and a fan.



Hasselblad 500cm, 150mm 4.0, Ektachrome 100 film

Alternative Process

I'm getting geared up to start experimenting with alternative processes this summer with the plan to offer this to my portrait clients in the fall. I primarily want to specialize in Platinum / Palladium printing. I have a 4x5 camera I'm borrowing, (thanks John) and hope to get another Deardorff soon. I'll keep you posted.

Deardorff 4x5 camera, Nikkor 150mm, Tri-x (why, oh why did I sell the bloody thing)

I Love my 1.9

I love my 80mm 1.9, it's definitely the best 100.00 I've spent in a long, long time, shot wide open the depth of field or the lack of it is amazing.


Mamiya 645afd, 80mm 1.9, Kodak 400CN bw

Scanning

I've been asked several times "does film still retain the film qualities once it's been scanned"
absolutely yes.

Interview

Check out my interview on the amazing Tanja Lippert's Keep Film Alive blog. if you haven't seen her work go forth (here) immediately

Inside Analog Photo Interveiw

Check out my interview with Scott Sheppard on Inside Analog Photo here, when you've finished make a point of listening to all the podcasts, Scott is brilliant. there are priceless nuggets in every show.


The pictures above are from Nina's, bridal shoot in Charlotte, check out her wedding here.
Mamiya 645 afd, 80mm 2.8, Kodak BWCN400

post processing

This is where and with whom I'm now spending what used to be my post processing time.
Rumor has it that a 5 pound bass was pulled out of here a few months back.


Mamiya 645, AFD, 80MM, 2.8, Kodak 400CN

Richard Loves Medium Format

I've completely fallen in love with Ilford Delta 3200 120, dreamy grain and texture combined with medium format's sharpness and tonality it's a match made in heaven for me.

I have to take this opportunity to thank one of my best, best friends Chris Timmons "who is a killer photogapher" for selling me his Mamiya 645 AFD + lenses + backs. for an amazing price," thanks 'bro".


Mamiya 645 AFD, 80mm (wide open), Ilford 3200 rated at 1600
Check our main blog for more shots from this wonderous wedding

Tanja Lippert

You must check out the amazing Tanja Lippert's blog Keep Film Alive. Tanja is a 100% film shooter and her work is truly beautiful, I've actually been a long time admirer of hers and it's great to discover we are kindred spirits.

Everything she says is x 10,000 by me.


Btw. Tanja is also very, very funny, be sure to watch her videos

If anyone is interested in an amazing deal on medium format gear, email me and I'll put you in touch my friend Rod Hunter who is selling his entire Pentax 645 system, for 1,000.00. It's had less than 50 rolls run through it. He'll also throw in 10 rolls of film just for good measure.

645N body auto focus
45mm f2.8
75mm f2.8
125mm LF f4
135mm macro f4
120 back
220 back
Dedicated CE Pentax flash for the 645N
Hard case that will hold everything but one lens.

A Shout out

Thank you to Leah McCormick for my "I Shoot Film Buttons" I'm loving the reactions I'm getting, ranging from disbelief to joyful smiles. You need to check out her work and listen to her interview with Scott Sheppard on Inside Analog Photography.
Leah is not only an amazing photographer but also has such a wonderful attitude to life and in her business, so refreshing in a world were many wedding photographers are taking themselves way to seriously.

color!!!

I had almost forgotten about using consumer neg film to get a fabulous cross processed look. apparently consumer films are made much more contrasty than their professional counterparts. So, I shot a few rolls at these sessions using Fuji Superia 400 xtra, over exposed by 2 stops. The film can be purchased at most leading drugstores.

KISS

For some reason when I shoot digitally I feel I must do something to the image in addition to the things I have to do. Film, another story, these were shot with the Mamiya 645 AFD, 80mm lens, natural north light, Kodak Portra 160 NC, overexposed by one stop and that's it....

keep it simple

This one is for Scott Sheppard from Inside Analog Photo. Shot in open shade, Deardorff, 4x5 Ektachrome.

keep it simple

This was shot using only the natural light in my daylight studio, I wanted to keep everything as neutral and simple as possible allowing the viewer to concentrate on Whitney's beauty.

keep it real

I love shooting portraits with the view camera, one is forced to think and consider what you want to say about your sitter and what your sitter is saying about themselves, the very deliberate and total lack of spontaneity will produce a very compelling portrait.

Deardorff 8X10 view camera, Ilford FP4 film, contact print