David Burnett and Chris Usher have invited me to several informal photographer get togethers. I’ve always been out of town when they happen. Last night was a special occasion, Mr. Burnett was filming on his Canon 7D, a video project that involved shooting a paper negative with Chris Usher’s gigantic 8×10 field camera. I rode my bike to Chris’s place, about a mile and a half up and down Russell Road.

Chris loves film, loves large format and loves shooting with antique cameras. Most of the crew in the photograph shoot large format custom cameras. (I don’t, I have, but I really love shooting with the D3X and the Alpa 12 Max)

Anyway, Chris loaded up a few holders with Oriental Number 2 RC paper and set-up his 8×10 in his backyard.

1 Second Exposure on a Cooke Convertible lens with a Zone 6 field camera.

From Left to right: David Burnett, Chris Usher, Matthew Gerard, Robb Scharteg (seated) Me, Dave from Chrome and Simon Bruty. Kit Putnam from the now-closed, but fondly remembered Black and White lab, shot the picture.

Matthew made an AMAZING Bar B Que and Kit brought homemade ice cream. Simon brought the beverages and it was a quite enjoyable evening. Mary Ann Golan was absent from the shoot but present for the festivities.