When I signed up for the dark room course at SAIT, they suggested buying a box of a specific paper (Ilford MGRC Glossy), and several rolls of HP5 film. I got two rolls, with the idea I'd probably print from the many negatives I already have. I also got a box of Pearl, and let's just say there's not a lot of paper left. Learning to print takes up a lot of paper, and some 'oh crap' moments.
When I took these photos I was thinking texture, with the idea of seeing how they came out in print. I figured 12 weeks, lots of time to get to them. Well, it turns out, not. I had a list of photos that I really wanted to print, and the process takes longer than I thought it would. That whole learning thing, you understand. There are several photos of Linda, Michelle, and Susi that I particularly wanted to get nice prints of. There are several Fish Creek landscapes on my list. I spent much of last Thursday working on one of Linda reading in her favourite chair with Celina curled up. Let's just say the print version looks quite a bit different than the digital version of the negative, and I'm still not entirely happy with it. I think when I get it right, it will look quite nice, and might well be the one I put into the Exposure Festival. Then I worked on it more, and it's certainly one of the finalists for the festival.
Once I get the basement darkroom tuned up I might work on some of these. These happened in late September during a walk in Fish Creek, looking for texture. I only just finished the other roll yesterday, and hope to develop it this weekend. Maybe some more prints as well.
1. The walk started in our community association office. I had dropped in to chat with our staff, and on the way out found the shallow puddle in the basketball court made for a nice reflection. I've done a similar photo digitally, with different lenses. The trick with this one was not having the flip around screen, so I was down on my tummy getting damp to focus, and using a 50mm lens.
Those who are pining for better photos of the decorations (I hope you see what I did there) are going to have to wait. There's still the better part of a foot of snow on them. In the meantime, some frosty photos to hold you over. There's been lovely hoar frost and snow build up just lately.
Of the Day
Driftwood (NZ)
Film
Linda
Newfoundland
Polar bears
Why ever didn't I publish this, and maybe I did
I am in awe - worked in a photo shop back in my university days, the 'we'll have your prints ready in a day' kind of photo shop (drop off in the morning, pick up at night). I was customer service and dark room person (hated the dark room). I tried my hand at negative development (we had a machine) and could not wrap my head around the opposites (Re: colour). And as for light vs dark - because customers can be kind of picky with their photos - horrid. So, well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of Linda in the trap ;)