Large Format Work – Jim Britt Photography

In the 1980s, Sinar used to loan me an 8×10 Sinar P2, and I photographed this model, Ben Vereen, and Billy Drago. I was interested in the dynamic, as it was so different from using 35mm or 2¼ cameras. So later in 2010 I bought a Sinar P2 .

In a time of instant digital photos with almost no limit to the amount you can put on a card, I’m choosing to go very old school in the tradition of Richard Avedon. I’m shooting 8×10 HP5 black and white film with the Sinar P2. I develop the film and scan it on an Epson 4900 and then make prints as big as 30×40.

My first subjects have been Jackie, our cleaning lady, from El Salvador, who risked everything to get here. Moisis, our gardener, who is a great family man, Naomi, a model, actress, and loan officer, Bob Muravez, our washer repair man, who turned out to be the first dragster driver to go over 200mph! Here he is in his racing outfit. Then there is Chris, who served three tours in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger. His eyes tell a story. Then there is my daughter jody, Kyle, a gardener, my buddies Dick and Lou, fast friends, writer and editor Michael Bartlett, Charlie Arnstead, Peter, my wife’s hairstylist and Uwe Coe a former Miss Norway.

I only use two sheets of film on each subject. I’m looking for the magic storytelling in the eyes and posture of my subjects. There is something about people looking into and at this big camera. It takes time and gives thought.”

Maybe some day I’ll photograph you : )