Steven Ruttenberg Photography

Steven Ruttenberg Photography Large Format film Photographer providing four wheel adventures/hiking to photographic destinations I have been photographing since I was about 16.

I did not become serious until I moved back to Arizona in 2000. I switched from film to digital about 2003, and after several years I switched back to film. Large format to be exact. I started with 4x5 and have over time started shooting with 8x10 as well. I found for me, that digital was lacking something. I found it too easy to just point the camera and push the button. There was no incentive to

take time to compose, study the light, enjoy the moment and more. Film forces one to get out of the mindset of instant gratification and feedback provided by live view. And because film behaves differently than digital, I started to pay attention to things again, like the light, shadows, composition again and in closer detail than before. Post processing (from loading the film to developing it and scanning it or making a traditional darkroom print) film felt like I was accomplishing something greater, then just clicking some buttons and moving a mouse. I started to feel like I was truly accomplishing something that would leave a legacy for the future. I still use a digital camera, but my real work happens with large format film.

Yosemite, early morning, from Sentinal Bridge, if I remember correctly.Portra160, 4x5, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5@f/32. Drum scan...
09/16/2025

Yosemite, early morning, from Sentinal Bridge, if I remember correctly.

Portra160, 4x5, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5@f/32. Drum scanned at 4000dpi.

Horton Creek Oct 2021. 4x5 on Fuji Provia100
09/14/2025

Horton Creek Oct 2021. 4x5 on Fuji Provia100

Horton Creek, AZ Oct 2021. 4x5 on Extar 100, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5@f/32, 5 stop ND filter.
09/12/2025

Horton Creek, AZ Oct 2021. 4x5 on Extar 100, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5@f/32, 5 stop ND filter.

I think the images that are problematic should be displayed as much as the ones that are excellent. I think people get ...
09/09/2025

I think the images that are problematic should be displayed as much as the ones that are excellent. I think people get the idea that the more successful photographers have only good images and rarely if ever make mistakes or have issues with film development etc. Some eve state that they don't make mistakes (that would be nice since film is not cheap!)

Another image from Sentinal Bridge, Yosemite. This one was rather difficult as the development of the negative had streaking and such. And it started life rather dull and flat. I have several more from this location and morning I hope turned out better.

4x5 Portra160, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5 /32

Tunnel View Yosemite February 2020, late afternoon rain. 4x5 shot on TXP320, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5 /32
09/04/2025

Tunnel View Yosemite February 2020, late afternoon rain. 4x5 shot on TXP320, 75mm Nikkor f/4.5 /32

Yosemite from Sentinal Bridge. I am gonna rescan this one as the color seems off to me, but I do like the composition a...
09/04/2025

Yosemite from Sentinal Bridge. I am gonna rescan this one as the color seems off to me, but I do like the composition and it is the only one I took from this location on color film.

4x5 on Portra160, 75mm Nikkor /32

Rearranged the office to get ready for new old computer for scanner.
08/30/2025

Rearranged the office to get ready for new old computer for scanner.

4x5 image from Tunnel View at Yosemite Park Feb 2020. Portra 160, 75mm Nikkor /32. It was rainy that afternoon and ther ...
08/29/2025

4x5 image from Tunnel View at Yosemite Park Feb 2020. Portra 160, 75mm Nikkor /32. It was rainy that afternoon and ther a ton of people. One tree really annoyed me. it was right where it didn't need to be. 🙂.

Old school brass lens on my 4z5. It is a Turner-Reich triple lens. Ie, 3 focal lengths depending whether you use front c...
08/22/2025

Old school brass lens on my 4z5. It is a Turner-Reich triple lens. Ie, 3 focal lengths depending whether you use front cell, rear cell or all three.

Looks cool.

Image from Yosemite Feb 2020 trip with Phoenix Camera Club. 4x5 shot with Kodak 320TXP and 75mm Nikkor at f/32. Scanne...
08/18/2025

Image from Yosemite Feb 2020 trip with Phoenix Camera Club. 4x5 shot with Kodak 320TXP and 75mm Nikkor at f/32. Scanned with Howtek, HiResolve 8000 drum scanner at 4000dpi. Quick process with iPad and LR. More to come.

Image from Yosemite Feb 2020 trip with Phoenix Camera Club. 4x5l shot with Kodak 320TXP and 75mm Nikkor at f/32. Scann...
08/18/2025

Image from Yosemite Feb 2020 trip with Phoenix Camera Club. 4x5l shot with Kodak 320TXP and 75mm Nikkor at f/32. Scanned with Howtek, HiResolve 8000 drum scanner at 4000dpi. Quick process with iPad and LR. More to come.

My new ball head for my large format camera. It is a geared head and same action as an at a swiss cube for 1/6 the price...
05/14/2025

My new ball head for my large format camera. It is a geared head and same action as an at a swiss cube for 1/6 the price. The movements are tight and solid. can hold 30Kg or 66lbs.

Plus or minus 15 degrees, top rotates as does bottom.

I almost always shoot completely leveled. Necessary for using movements.

Now and then I will tilt up or down and this allows for the tilt to occur in a single plane unlike a ball head.

Address

Prescott Valley, AZ

Telephone

+19289683444

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