Southwest Landscape Photographer

Why Large Format Film?

In an increasingly digital world, Marty continues to shoot exclusively with large format 4x5 film. This isn't about nostalgia—it's about image quality that's simply unmatched. Each sheet of film captures far more detail than any digital sensor, creating prints with extraordinary depth and tonal range that draw you into the scene.

The tradeoff? Working with large format is demanding. The camera and equipment weigh 25-30 pounds, often hauled miles into remote locations. Every exposure requires careful setup, precise focusing under a dark cloth, and calculated exposure decisions. It's a slow, methodical process. But that deliberation is exactly the point—each image represents not just a captured moment, but hours of preparation and committed artistic vision.

There's something else too: each large format transparency is a physical object, not an endlessly duplicable digital file. That authenticity matters to collectors who value work with genuine scarcity and archival permanence.

Light, Time, and Place

The American Southwest is an ever-changing stage—sunrise alpenglow painting red sandstone orange, reflected light bouncing through slot canyons, storm light sweeping across desert valleys. Marty's work captures not just what these places look like, but how they feel in a particular moment, and why they matter.

This takes patience. Each location gets researched extensively and visited multiple times under different conditions. He studies how light interacts with the landscape throughout the day and across seasons, returning again and again until everything aligns. That persistence reflects a deep respect for these places and a commitment to honoring them, not just documenting them.

Compositionally, the work draws from classical landscape painting traditions—strong geometry, careful foreground-background relationships, an eye for natural lines and patterns. The goal is images that feel both timeless and contemporary, that go beyond simple documentation to offer an interpretation that invites contemplation.

The Technical Side

Large format photography demands precision at every step. Careful composition on the ground glass, accurate exposure using zone system principles, the decisive moment when everything aligns—this process creates work suitable for serious fine art collections and museum-quality presentation.

Film choice matters. Fuji Velvia (50 and 100) delivers vibrant color saturation perfect for Southwest rock formations and dramatic skies. Kodak T-Max 100 provides excellent tonal range for black and white work, revealing the sculptural qualities of desert landscapes. Fuji Provia offers a more neutral palette when scenes call for subtle interpretation.

After exposure, each transparency is professionally scanned at high resolution—often exceeding 500 megapixels equivalent. These files preserve every detail of the original film while enabling modern printing with archival pigment inks on museum-quality papers. The result? Prints with color stability and longevity exceeding 100 years.

From Scouting to Print

The process starts long before setting up the camera. Research involves topographic maps, satellite imagery, weather pattern analysis—anything that helps identify the right location at the right time. GPS and scouting apps help navigate to remote spots and mark potential compositions for future visits.

In the field, the work is methodical. Camera on tripod, composition refined on the ground glass, camera movements adjusted to control perspective and depth of field. Exposure gets determined using handheld spot meters and zone system techniques—the same methods Ansel Adams pioneered, still relevant because they provide precise control over tonal relationships.

Film processing is done in-house using carefully controlled techniques that maximize tonal range while minimizing grain. This hands-on approach ensures consistency from capture through final print, with modified procedures tailored to specific film stocks and lighting conditions.

The Work

The portfolio spans iconic Southwest locations—Monument Valley, Zion Canyon, Death Valley—alongside lesser-known spots discovered through years of exploration. These are images suitable for private homes, corporate offices, and serious photography collections, created with the quality and integrity that collectors expect.

Large prints reveal extraordinary detail: individual grains of sand, rock surface texture, subtle sky gradations. This level of detail rewards extended viewing. The images reveal new aspects over time, making them particularly well-suited for spaces where they'll be seen daily, becoming part of the environment rather than just decoration.

The work appeals to those who appreciate traditional photographic craftsmanship, interior designers looking for authentic Southwest imagery, and collectors building fine photography collections with long-term value. Each limited edition print includes a certificate of authenticity with full documentation—image title, location, capture date, film type, edition size, and print number.

Conservation and Respect

Landscape photography comes with responsibility. These remarkable places deserve respect—Leave No Trace principles, staying on established trails when possible, awareness of impact on sensitive environments. It's about being a good steward of the places that make this work possible.

Many Southwest locations hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples—the Navajo, Hopi, and other tribes who've lived here for generations. The role of a photographer in these places is that of a guest. The goal is to honor these landscapes, not exploit them, celebrating their beauty while acknowledging meanings that go far beyond aesthetics.

The hope is that these images foster appreciation for desert landscapes and their preservation. The Southwest faces real conservation challenges—increasing visitation impacts, climate change effects, competing resource demands. If these photographs can inspire people to value and protect these environments for future generations, they'll have served a purpose beyond hanging on a wall.