DIGITAL OR ANALOGUE

I use both digital and analogue systems, and I find they are equally as effective, but I have a specific application for each camera, technique and lens. For example, I shoot on two cameras during a session, a medium format film camera for continuity and a 10x8 large format plate camera for capturing my final shots. The smaller camera acts as a vehicle for continuity and flow, as we get the model to change posture and move around, this camera helps me find the moment. Once that moment is set up, I slowly wheel in the large 10x8 camera and take a shot or two. So both cameras end up working in unison.

As for my 5x4 camera, I use this for details and close-ups. The digital I tend to use for colour images and photos that are intended for a different outcome, such as commercial usage, book covers or portraits for editorial. So clearly each camera has a different purpose, sometimes the usages can vary depending on the intention.

Personal Formula

I would like to emphasize that each photographer, through trial and error finds his own personal approach. Within that individual method I would state that there is a formula, for example for myself, shooting on my 10x8 negatives, contact printed in the Toned Cyanotype technique and using a directional  high contrast lighting I have developed a style that has to become second nature. Once we have established our style it is time for us to begin to explore within it, that's where we truly begin to learn and explore, once we no longer think about the technique, we simply apply our formula. Our personal approach is like learning a language, initially we learn a few words, and that leads to a few sentences, once we become fluent we have conversations, this is my favorite analogy.