In Focus - Tyler Bervy Posted On 29th July 2020 To Magazine & In Focus

When we saw that Kit Young had chosen Tyler as his nomination it definitely made us smile. We've shared several of Tyler's IG images in the past and enjoy browsing his feed when we get the chance.

Background

Share your favourite image / print shot on ILFORD film and tell us what it means to you?

Picking only one is an impossible choice! A favourite of mine is a contact print made from an 8x10 negative using FP4+, Ilford MGFB Glossy paper and selenium toned. I used my Chamonix 810V field camera and the exposure was made near where I live in New York. It was a perfect morning and all the elements to make the photograph came together seamlessly allowing me to create exactly what I had envisioned.

Just in case anyone doesn’t know who you are or what you do can you give us the overview?

My name is Tyler Bervy and I currently live in upstate New York with my girlfriend (Sofia) and our dog Piper. While photography is not my profession it is a relentless obsession. Especially traditional methods including Wet Plate Collodion, Platinum Palladium printing, and Silver Gelatin process. I tend to focus on landscapes however my interests in photographic subjects does not end there. Documenting my life by photographing the people, places, and things which surround me is a limitless pursuit I am incredibly passionate about.

How and why did you get started shooting film?

I began to dive deep into the analogue photography rabbit hole about five years ago when I was living in Bozeman Montana. Sofia had given me a polaroid, so I naturally went to a local camera shop searching for more SX-70 film after I had gone through the packs she bought with the camera. After looking around the shop I noticed their selection of analogue cameras and gear. About twenty minutes later I walked out with the first 35mm camera I have had in years and a few rolls of ILFORD XP2.

Growing up in the 90’s meant my childhood was documented on film. My mom always had a point and shoot with her and the memory of going to our local lab to pick up her negatives and prints are etched in my subconscious. So while there was plenty of digital gear to choose from, putting a roll of film in a camera and placing my thumb on a film advance lever just felt right.

When I find something I like I research as much as possible on the subject. So after a couple weeks, hours of reading and watching YouTube videos, I ordered the basic supplies to develop my film at home along with a few rolls of HP5. The feeling I got when I pulled the negatives out of the tank for the first time was intoxicating and it has not stopped since.

Who has been your biggest photographic inspiration to date?

There are so many sources of inspiration I look to today. From music, to books, paintings, to fellow photographers on social media and especially traveling to new places, all play a large part in my photography.

Three photographers who I continually come back to for inspiration are Sebastiao Salgado, Michael Kenna and Fan Ho. The way each uses light, form, tones, and composition in their photographs always mesmerizes me. I admire how all three use long-form photo essays to tell their story, taking years or decades to complete a project. Coming back to a location or subject over and over again, building a relationship I find helps create a deeper, more meaningful, narrative.

I also would like to mention Kit Young. Kit has been a source of inspiration and a great sounding board for ideas, creative talks, and countless random conversations. He has an unrelenting eye, when paired with a camera, creates insightful and surreal ways to view the world.  Kit then brings his visions to life on silver gelatin prints made by hand in his darkroom.

What is the best piece of photography tip or advice you have ever received?

This not photography specific, but I have found it to be very helpful in my overall learning. Before asking a question with the intent to receive a quick and easy answer, take some time before asking to do some research, open a book, watch video’s on YouTube, type the question into Google. I am often amazed how much I learn when troubleshooting a problem. It is often easier to ask someone who is more knowledgeable on a subject when confronted with resistance to get a quick fix. However, for me, this often results in not truly understanding what the point of resistance is and the path to solve it. I only learn about the destination.

What film photography related projects are you currently working on (or are in the pipeline)?

There are many ongoing projects in different stages of completion. One that is ongoing is a series of landscapes shot where I live in New York. I have not printed all the selects I’ve marked on contact sheets and want to get caught up so I can see what the project still needs and where I want to go with it. I also want to finish printing a project from a trip to Italy last October. Another that is in the pipeline is a portrait series. I very rarely take the time to make a portrait due to my lack of confidence in making one. So, with this project I want to push myself step out of my comfort zone and hopefully create something I am proud of.

What / where is your next shoot and how do you decide what film / kit you will use?

I always have a camera with me so my next shoot can be wherever I find a subject I want to photograph. When life and travel get to a new normal, I will definitely be planning a few trips abroad. Japan, Northern Italy and Patagonia are the top three on my list.

The camera that is always with me is my Leica MP with a 50mm lens. When traveling I will bring a second M body, 28 & 90mm lenses and as much film (all black and white) as I can fit in my bag.

In The Garden 8x10 Silver Gelatin Contact Print FP4 on ILFORDFB Classic Gloss

What are your photographic goals going forward? (Can be business or personal).

A goal I always set is to print more and continue to refine my printing technique. I also want to finish at least one of my current projects and finalize it in book form. A long-term goal is to one day build my own Studio. Complete with darkroom, office, and space to frame and hang prints.

Shout outs

We all need a bit of inspiration and love so this is your chance to tell the community about yours – from the film photographers whose work inspires you, the labs you trust with your film, your ‘go to’ film photography stockists, your favourite community darkrooms or just anyone in the community who you feel deserves a special mention.

Give a shout out to your 3 favourite film photographers (not photography hubs) currently active on IG or Twitter and briefly tell us why others should follow them.

@gilla_pie, Ryan Gillespie – Always inspires me with his mastery of Platinum Palladium printing. Ryan’s patience, technical knowledge, and eye for composition come together to create a photograph I stop and stare at with curiosity and amazement.

@elmalayheehoo, Lisa Elmaleh – Besides being a brilliant teacher with a beautiful spirit, Lisa is an amazing photographer concentrating in Wet Plate Collodion. She spent nearly a decade documenting the everglades using her Century Universal 8x10, trusty Toyota pickup/darkroom “Harriot” and A LOT of glass plates. Lisa also taught me the beauty of the Collodion process when I attended her workshop at Penumbra Foundation.

@bruno_v_roels, Bruno V. Roels - The way Bruno interprets his photographs combined with his sense of play in the darkroom results in prints which always get me inspired to experiment and expand the way I see the world.

Give a shout out to your favourite photography YouTube channels (apart from the @ilfordphoto one).

Borut Peterlin – Top Shit Photography

Give a shout out to your favourite photographic retailers (name, location and website).

Tamarkin Camera in Chicago is my go-to source for all things Leica. www.tamarkin.com

All my film, paper, chemistry and miscellaneous photo supplies are purchased from B&H photo in New York City. www.bhphotovideo.com

Route 203 Well House New York HP5 Leica M6

Favourite kit

What film cameras do you own and which is your favourite? (Please send us a picture of it if you can).

I have a Chamonix 8x10, Hasselblad 500 series, Holgas, SX-70 and two Leica M’s. My favorite is my Leica MP paired with a 50mm lens.

Aside from your camera, lenses and film what accessories make it into your camera bag?

Rocket Blower, JCH film case, small flashlight, large freezer bag (to prevent condensation in winter when I bring a camera inside) notebook, pens, lighter, pocketknife, and a Cura lens cleaning kit. Recently an extra mask and a travel size hand sanitizer has been added.

What is the best piece of photography kit you have found or been gifted?

The Polaroid my girlfriend gave me. It was the catalyst which allowed me to see and be more present in the world.

As this is an ILFORD interview it would be remiss of us not to ask about your favourite ILFORD products. Tell us you favourite ILFORD film, paper or chems and why?

I love ILFORD paper specifically FB Classic Gloss and FB Warmtone Gloss, I also use ILFORD’s RC paper for contact sheets. All are processed in ILFORD Multigrade Developer, Stop and Rapid fix. Favourite film is FP4 but Pan F and HP5 frequently make it in my bag too.

And finally…

Nominate one other person you think should fill in this form and we will reach out to them

@Bostonemulsion – Phil’s eye for light never ceases to amaze me. He is a brilliant street photographer and will be a great addition to the In Focus series.

Overlooking the Catskills Harvey Mountain New York LeicaMP FP4

All images ©Tyler Bervy