Charles Twist - Landscape photography

Landscape photography started out as a way of recording the scenery while on my walks through the southern Causses and the brushland ("garrigue") around Montpellier, France. From the outset, I was disappointed by the poor reproduction quality of the 35mm SLR camera; I have striven ever since then to improve the photographic impression, until I finally tried a large format view camera. Here was the answer to my problems.

The camera movements ensure a very high degree of expressive control. The control over the focal plane overcomes any limitations that follow from using longer focal lenses. The large film area gives all the resolution one could wish for. The medium has at last become transparent (but not weightless).

I currently use a Toyo 45A field camera with 4 lenses from 75mm to 210mm; Fuji Velvia is the film of choice. Filters are restricted to ND grads, a couple warm-ups and a polariser. I have the choice of two film backs: one a standard 4" by 5" double-dark slide holder, the other a roll-film holder giving 6cm by 17cm pictures.

I am most of all captivated by the rugged outdoors, best seen in those images taken in Snowdonia. However, like most landscape photographers, I am ultimately drawn by the special magic the "right" light can bring to any scene. I am now finding myself shooting scenes in the built environment, just as often as in the natural environment. The view camera, with its correction of perspective, gives far more expressive results than rigid SLR's. The extremes of the day are justly famous for producing the warmest and strongest colours. These fleeting colours can seem other-worldly and to an extent artificial. It is true that exposure and film choice emphasise the colour and tone, but the phenomena are real and I encourage you to go out and enjoy them.

Landscape photography is now a small part of what I do. As of the summer of 2008, more and more time will be dedicated to photography, since I am now running a commercial venture: CTNP photography, the website for which is www.citiesandparks.com. The business will be dedicated to large format photography in the fields of architecture, industry and also, naturally, landscapes. Strangely, the time for photography is still limited, but at least I get to choose when I can go out.