About Tom Cuccio
My goal is to capture nature as it exists today. Shooting large-format 8x10 film isn’t just photography—it’s an obsession, a test of patience, and an adventure that demands everything from me.
The process is slow, expensive, and unforgiving. Every frame I expose costs over $100—between film, development, and high-resolution drum scans. There’s no rapid-fire burst mode, no instant feedback, no second chances. Just one sheet, one moment, and a bit of faith that everything—light, focus, composition, and timing—aligns.
It begins with hauling a 40-pound camera, a massive tripod, and a bag full of film holders deep into the wild. Setting up takes time. The wind can shift. The light can vanish. The scene might disappear before I’m ready. And yet, when I finally press the shutter, there’s a feeling like no other—knowing I’ve captured something truly unrepeatable, with no way to see the results until days or even weeks later.
That’s the magic. The risk and the reward. The anticipation of peeling back a developed sheet of film to see what nature gave me. Some frames exceed every expectation. Others fall short. But that’s what keeps me going—the pursuit of perfection in a process that will never be perfect.
“Photography is my lifelong passion and a way to express myself. Capturing the beauty of the world and sharing it with others is a fundamental part of who I am. Through my images, I hope to bring people along on my journeys to some of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth.”
From an early age, I was drawn to understanding how things work—taking them apart and putting them back together. Photography was no different. After completing my first black-and-white film class in high school, I built a darkroom in my parents’ basement, developing film and prints by hand.
In a digital world that moves faster than ever, I choose to slow down. Large-format photography forces me to be intentional. To think through every detail. To embrace the unknown. My work isn’t just about landscapes—it’s about the textures, the patterns, the fleeting moments that only film can truly preserve.
Each print I create is the result of deliberate choices, physical effort, and a relentless commitment to craft. This is photography at its purest—a blend of discipline, artistry, and sheer determination.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Equipment
I work exclusively with film—both color and black and white—to capture landscapes in their raw, timeless beauty. My primary tools include:
8x10 Chamonix Alpinist View Camera
This is my main camera and the cornerstone of my large-format work. It challenges me with its precision and rewards me with unmatched image detail.Fuji GX617 Panoramic Medium Format Camera
A unique tool for expansive, sweeping scenes. It allows me to capture wide landscapes with cinematic depth and stunning resolution.
