I'll just add my two cents here (or is that five in Canada?)(posted 8355 days ago)I'm a software consultant, and as such spend many hours working on computers. I'm well versed in what they can, and can't do.
Back in February I purchased my first 4x5 (Calumet 45N), with one lens. I had some moderate success with it, but was making made slow progress. Hiking through the mountains forced me to get something a bit more portable, so I picked up a Toyo AII. Two more lenses,and I'm loaded for bear.
I was still having problems making that 'eye-grabbing' print tho. I took a course with Ray McSavaney in Yosemite in October, and learned *a lot*. Negatives improved, prints improved.
To bring a somewhat long story and end, I finally made that one print that, when mounted, just about floored me. There's just something about a silver print, and the effort required to make it that makes it all the more special. While in Yosemite I was priviledged to see quite a few Adams originals, and there was also something about them that was special, that I doubt could be replicated with digital technology. Close maybe, but not the same.
So, speaking as one who works in a digital world almost continuously, the break to an completely analog world is a joy. I can't see having as much fun sitting in front of a computer moving pixels around...too easy, really, and once you've made a print, you can generate 1000s of the same prints. Who want to do that? A poster manufacturer. That ain't me!
As I mentioned to one fellow on the workshop: I just might get sucked into this (large format photography). His reply to me: too late.
He was right.
-klm.