The DarkSlides Collective
A photographer who hauls 30 pounds of gear into the backcountry to expose single sheets of 4x5 film. The DarkSlides exists to share what we've learned and connect with others who do the same.
Preserving the Tradition of Large Format Photography
Most photographers switched to digital years ago. We didn't. Not because we're against technology—we just haven't found anything that matches what large format film does for landscape work.
The process is slow. Each frame on 4x5 or 8x10 film takes real time: setting up the view camera, composing under a dark cloth, calculating exposure, loading the sheet holder. You might get six usable shots in a day if conditions cooperate. But the results—the tonal range, the detail, the way the film renders light—that's why we keep doing it.
This site exists to show our work and share what we've learned. Different photographers, different locations, different styles, but the same commitment to a format that's been around for over a century and still hasn't been surpassed.
What Sets Us Apart
Years of experience with view cameras, film stocks, and the landscapes where this kind of photography actually works
Large Format Expertise
Each member specializes in 4x5 and 8x10 view camera systems, bringing decades of combined experience in traditional film photography techniques.
Geographic Diversity
From the deserts of Arizona to the alpine lakes of Colorado, our collective spans diverse landscapes across America and Europe.
Collaborative Spirit
While maintaining individual artistic voices, we share knowledge, locations, and techniques to elevate the craft of landscape photography.
Professional Recognition
Our members have exhibited in galleries, published in magazines, and built reputations as leaders in large format landscape photography.
Technical Expertise & Equipment
Mastering the technical demands of large format photography requires years of dedicated practice and deep understanding of analog processes
Large Format Systems
4x5 and 8x10 view cameras with full movements—tilt, shift, swing, rise, fall. Takes years to learn. Worth it.
Film Types & Processing
Velvia for saturated color, Ektar for skin tones, T-MAX for fine-grain black and white. We develop our own.
Darkroom Mastery
Silver gelatin prints made by hand in a darkroom. Platinum and palladium when the image calls for it.
Photographic Specialties
Our photographer brings unique expertise in capturing different landscape environments and lighting conditions
Golden Hour Masters
That 20-minute window when everything turns gold. We know where to be and when to be there.
Intimate Landscapes
Not every shot needs a mountain. Sometimes the best image is six inches of moss on a rock.
Grand Vistas
Big views that need big film—the kind of scene where 4x5 really earns its weight.
Artistic Approaches
We all shoot large format, but the work looks different—some chase storms, others wait for the quietest light
Minimalist Composition
Stripping scenes down to essentials—a single tree, a horizon line, open space that lets the eye rest
Dramatic Light & Weather
Chasing storms and shooting through conditions that make most photographers pack up and leave
Timeless B&W Vision
Black and white on real silver gelatin paper—the way Ansel Adams did it, because nothing else looks the same
Conservation & Ethics
As landscape photographers, we recognize our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations
Leave No Trace
We photograph wild places. The least we can do is leave them the way we found them.
Location Ethics
Not every spot needs to be geotagged. Some places are better off without the Instagram crowds.
Passing It On
Large format is a dying art. We teach workshops because someone taught us.
The Large Format Advantage
Why we choose the demanding path of large format film photography over modern digital convenience
Technical Excellence
- Unmatched Resolution: 4x5 and 8x10 film captures detail that surpasses even the highest-end digital cameras
- Exceptional Dynamic Range: Film naturally handles extreme contrast, preserving detail in shadows and highlights
- Tilt & Shift Movements: View cameras allow precise control of focus and perspective impossible with other formats
Artistic Intention
- Deliberate Process: Each frame requires careful consideration, resulting in more thoughtful compositions
- Limited Exposures: With only 10-20 sheets of film per location, every shot must count
- Authentic Character: Film grain and natural color rendition create timeless, organic imagery
Experience the Difference
Explore the galleries, read about technique, or get in touch about workshops and prints. See what happens when you slow down and let the film do the work.