There are three different types of cameras and film used by professional photographers: • Large Format or "View" Cameras: uses 4" x 5" film (individual sheets) • Medium Format Cameras: uses 2" x 2" film also called "120 film" (roll of film) • Small Format or 35 mm Cameras: uses 35 mm film, 1"x 1" (roll of film) Monte uses either large format or medium format cameras and film on the vast majority of his photographs. What this means to a customer is that the photographic image is captured on a piece of film that is 4 inches high by 5 inches wide. Compare this to 35 mm film that is only 1 inch high and 1ý inches wide. What is important to understand is how the image is developed and enlarged to the size the customer wants to put on their wall or ceiling. For instance, if a customer wants a 16" x 20" photograph for their lobby, the 4x5 film would only have to be magnified four times. In photography jargon this is referred to as a 4x degree of magnification. Conversely, 35 mm film, 1" x 1ý", would have to be magnified 16 times or have a 16x degree of magnification. It is obvious that the clarity and crispness on a photograph with a 4x degree of magnification is superior to the same photograph with a 16x degree of magnification. Because 99.9% of Monte's photographs are enlarged to at least 8" x 10" and he wants them to be as clear and crisp as possible, he only uses large or medium format cameras and film. Film not only comes in different sizes but it comes in different speeds. • Slow Speed: 100 ASA (American Standards Association) or lower - The finest grain with the most saturated colors. The colors are more vivid and sharper to the eye. The best choice for scenery or subjects without a lot of movement. • Fast Speed: 200 - 400 ASA - A medium grain with good color quality. Used to photograph subjects in motion. • Super Fast Speed: 800+ ASA - A course grain with adequate color quality. Used to photograph subjects in limited light situations or for a grainy texture. Generally, the slower the speed of the film used when taking a photograph, the finer the grain of the image and thus the sharper the enlargement will appear. Here is a table of film sizes and speeds with their corresponding clarity and crispness ratings: Film Speed Film Size Slow Speed 100 ASA Faster Speed 400 ASA Large Format 4" x 5" Ultra Fine Grain "Best" Very Fine Grain "Better" Medium/Panorama Format 2¼" x 2¾" Fine Grain "Good" Fair Grain "Fair" Small Format / 35 mm 1" x 1½" Moderate Grain "Adequate" Course Grain "Poor" Before you select an image to enlarge for one of your walls or ceilings, find out from the artist what film size and speed they used when taking the original picture. The larger the film size and the slower the film speed, the more pleased you will be with the final product.