Behind Boonville (updated)

Are you a photo geek? Yes! Then read on, this is a geek-out session. "Behind the scenes of Boonville" is brought to you by Slims Restaurant, Boonville, NY and the beauty of hacking into a WiFi signal.

Photographing Thomas with tractor and spreader, Boonville, NY, 2007

Almost all of the equipment found above and below was provided by my Alma mater, The Hallmark Institute of Photography, or HIP, located in Massachusetts. After a year of talks and going back and forth to MA, they excepted my proposal and they became the largest supporter of the Boonville project. They also provided a portion of my film! I cannot thank them enough. It's huge!

Before I knew that I received this equipment, I was ready to take on the trip with what I already had. My old 4x5 camera and home-made lights, made from florescent shop/work lights and an older strobe setup. It would have been a lot less gear, but a lot more weight. I decided that If I was going to ask for new equipment, it needed to be light and portable. That is exactly what I got.

Everything you see below is able to fit into two bags, and on my back; Tripod and stands included. It's heavy, but if I need it all and I need to get somewhere remote, I can do it.


Toyo-View vx125 (modified) 4x5 camera.
Images: Expanded, compressed, and disassembled,
4x5 Lenses: 90mm, 300mm, 210mm and 150mm

My Toyo-View 4x5 camera is my most prized possession. For those of you that know what I am talking about, it is a field/studio camera. It has full range of swings and tilts and folds up to the size of normal field camera, and even weighs less then most. It nice!

The four above lenses were provided by a friend and fellow photographer in New Jersey. Thanks Dave! I use them all often.


(R) Large-Format Camera bag and equipment.
(L) Minus light meter: Extra cable release, loupe, Film holders,
Polaroid Back, Head lamp (for seeing in the dark),
Radio Slave, Folded reflector.

The above image shows my bag filled with everything that is in the above (L) photo as well as my camera and all lenses. It's not easy to close, but it does close. Only in situations that call for it do I pack my camera in the bag; Like hiking, etc. Otherwise, the camera sits on my tripod and then is tossed over my shoulder, or on the front seat of my car (see below).


4x5 and Mamyia 7II, with roll film and iPod, passenger seat.

My tripod (not pictured) is a new Induro Carbon Fiber tripod. Because It is Carbon Fiber, and because I continually throw it over my shoulder with camera attached, the column has come loose three times. After sending it back twice, I decided to modify it myself. I took a steel rod and put it all the way through the center of the column, and then bolted it on both ends. It hasn't budged since.

I also received a Mamyia 7II, seen above with 4x5. I use the camera for situations that I cannot use the 4x5. Tight spots, lots of action, quick shots, etc. The Mamiya 7II is awesome! I only use it about 5% of the time. Buy it is a great thing to have for that 5%.


Middle: Profoto 600 B (battery) with Flash Head, and 3 batteries.
Left: Folded soft-box strip with speed ring.
Right: Flash equipment in backpack.

The above is my lighting equipment. When I need a light, this thing is amazing! It is small: it fits in a backpack! And it gives me great consistency and output. The soft-box strip is essential and adjusts itself nicely for different light qualities. Good stuff.


Photo equipment, Joe's backyard, Boonville, NY, Nov. 2007

Above image is all of my equipment. And it all packs up into those two bags. It's great. But, with the 4x5 on my front seat or on my shoulder, all ready to go, it provides me with the opportunity to quickly respond to any situation. While in Boonville, Missouri I was walking through a park and found a young man that I desperately wanted to talk to and photograph. He wasn't into it. I asked him if he had ten minutes, he said no. "five?" I asked. "I've got one," he said. I didn't hesitate, and to my surprise, I got the camera set up, framed, focused, took meter readings, and shot, all in about 120 seconds. Surprisingly, the image is a winner. He was already doing everything for me though, I just had to click a button.

Looking back it seems I could not be able to get the work I am getting without this stuff. That is true, but the work wouldn't be bad, it would just be different. The equipment is amazing, but photography is obviously only what you make of it. This equipment doesn't make me a better photographer or artist, it just puts more weight on my back, while doing a few other things.