First post...What is with that title...well, I'll tell you...

Large format photography is the use of film that is 4x5 inches or larger.

I use film in the 4x5 inch, 5x7 inch 8x10 inch, and 8x20 inch formats.  The 8x20 inch format is also considered "Ultralarge format."

I use large format and film because: 1. I like the mechanics of the operation of the cameras. 2. the detail achieved is unsurpassed by any other photographic technique. 3. the process and printing of large format film allows the use of the darkroom, something which I still love and is still magic.

The negatives produced by using large format film are contact printed on either "Lodima," a silver-chloride contact printing paper, or on hand made paper which has been coated with Platinum.

But one of the drawbacks of this photographic style and medium is the size and weight of the equipment.  I have always used a backpack type case for the cameras 8x10 and smaller and could, in my younger days, hike for some distance to get the images I wanted.  However, age has caught up with me.  Using the 8x20 I never went more than a few feet from the vehicle and now hiking with the others has become 'not so much fun'.

 ENTER REGGIE.

I was thinking that maybe a pack animal of some sort might be the way to go.  I raise horses, and have owned Llamas, so it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to work with a pack animal.

On February 2, Groundhog day, Reggie appeared.  Someone dumped off in my neighborhood a young mare, a shetland pony, and a DONKEY!  Being the only equestrian people around, my neighbors assumed they were mine and shooed them onto my property.  Caused all sorts of problems that I'll go into later, but there he was: MY PACK DONKEY.

He has been here 9 weeks now and is very personable and I have named him REGGIE.

I have just started working with him and it's obvious he has never even worn a halter.  Square one, halter work.

I hope if you read this far you will come back to see him in pictures and videos.  I am planning to take Reggie to many places and I hope to share our adventures, photos of the trips, and the B/W images made with the equipment he will carry.

Ron