I recently received permission to shoot in NYC’s Grand Central Terminal with my Eastman 8×10 View Camera. The application for a permit was lengthy. In it, I had to specify how long I would be shooting. I had asked for an hour to shoot thinking that would be enough time. It wasn’t. On an advanced scouting trip, I realized that getting the shots I wanted using such complicated equipment with so many distractions would be cutting it extremely close. The night before, I loaded a mixture of Kodak Tri-X 320 and Fuji HR-T X-Ray film into three film holders and packed my gear. Still fretting about anticipated interruptions, I had told Kate that I was just going to ignore people asking questions or tell them that I was too busy to talk about the camera. . (She suggested I pretend not to know English.) After an extremely pleasant, older businessman type stopped to ask me questions my planned aloofness disappeared. People are curious and I want to be a good ambassador for film photography, so I was nice to everyone and answered each question.
If you’ve ever shot large format, you know just how many steps it takes to get everything in order. It helps to concentrate and double check your workflow if you do become distracted. I’m happy to report that I didn’t mess up once while engaging in almost constant conversation with people who stopped to chat. In the end I did feel rushed to get my shots in, and as a result a few of them are not perfectly aligned. I am happy with the results though and the experience was a lot of fun.
Grand Central Terminal, NYC, 8×10 Fuji H-RT X-Ray Film
Grand Central Terminal, NYC, 8×10 Fuji H-RT X-Ray Film
Grand Central Terminal, Grand Concourse, 8×10 Kodak Tri-X 320 Film
Grand Central Terminal, Met Life Stairs, 8×10 Fuji HR-T X-Ray Film
Grand Central Terminal, NYC, Ticket Windows, 8×10 Kodak Tri-X 320 Film
If I’m nitpicking, there are a few things I’d do differently with this one. First of all, there were too many elements to center it properly. And after developing I could tell that I didn’t take enough care to make sure the top was straight and that the sides included everything I wanted. Without a dark cloth to cover my head and the ground glass while shooting, I can’t see the sides of the film very well and it’s difficult to see the top and bottom of the ground glass. I’ve even cropped this one a bit, but it’s still askew.
Grand Central Terminal, Tunnel Passage, 8×10 Kodak Tri-X 320 Film
This is another slightly flawed shot. I couldn’t get rid of the light flare at the top and keep the entire chandelier in the frame. While shooting, I could tell that there was a little flare at the top, but hoped it wouldn’t show up on the negative. But of course it did.
I developed the Kodak Tri-X 320 film in trays with Kodak HC-110 Solution H at 20C for five minutes and 20 seconds using brush agitation. For the Fuji HR-T X-Ray film, I used Rodinal 1:100 at 20C in trays for 6 minutes. After lining the tray bottoms with a sheet of smooth glass, I was able to cut down on the scratches. However, you still have to handle the double-sided X-ray film with great care.
15 Comments
The ghosted people are really wonderful. I’m also a huge fan of the last shot and how small the people look.
The last shot is masterful, especially with the couple under the passageway.
Great job! How did you scan these?
I used an Epson V700 with the film area guide.
Thanks, guys!
Love them. The ghosting is a cool effect. And seeing as it was X-ray film, kinda cute too.. What exposures and EI were you using? and not to nitpick, but maybe an off center-line shot would be good too. Get some uneven triangles working for you.
Thanks, Bill. For the Tri-X I shot it at box speed of 320. For the X-Ray film I rated it at 100. The shutter speed was between 15 seconds and 45 seconds including adjustment for reciprocity failure. And yeah, in hindsight I’ve thought of better shots and different ways to set up the tripod for sure, but that hour flew by in a heartbeat.
Hi Shawn, these are all really great. I actually love the flare above the chandelier. It’s not a minus in my book.
You really caught the timelessness of the Terminal – if not for that Apple logo and some signs, these could have been taken anytime in the last fifty years. I passed through the terminal every day for several years and loved watching its inhabitants and moods. Your photos evoke the grandeur and romance of Grand Central – thanks for sharing!
Great stuff! GCT is where I started my career 21 years ago. It will always be a special place for me.
http://slidefilmguy.tumblr.com/post/39809793304/racing-the-waters-of-the-mighty-hudson-river
Thank you, Kerry. That was my last shot and I was so perplexed about getting rid of the flare. But the couple was too great to pass up, so I decided to trip the shutter. Glad it works for you!
Hey David, man that Apple logo just sucks the soul out of an amazing spot doesn’t it. It really is an amazing spot and people passing through could not have been more curious and considerate.
Thanks, Joe. I love your shot! Really captures the gold tone and feel of the space when you step back and look at it. Nicely done!
Why didn’t you shift the lens to have parallel lines?
A 1935 Eastman View Camera only has a bit of rise (not always enough to correct). It also lacks both swing or tilt. You are usually stuck with converging lines if you are pointing up.
Who does one contact to get the permission form?
Hi Robert, here is the contact page for Grand Central Terminal. I just started with the general information email and told them what I wanted. They put me in contact with someone at Metro North.
Good luck!
Shawn