Film Still Photography
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    • Argus 75
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    • Yashica C
    • Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2
  • Learning Composition
    • The Monochrome Diaries
    • Single & Multi Elements
    • Symmetry
    • Keep the Right Strong
    • Framing
    • Color in Composition
    • Deep Dive Bubble Man
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  • Darkroom Lessons
    • Building a Sink
    • Air Ventilation
    • Analyser Pro
    • Development Hints
    • Primer for Film Photography
    • Bulk Loading Film
    • Pushing & Pulling Film
    • Color Development
    • Digital Contact Sheets
    • Stick to One Film Stock?
    • HP5+ Shot at 200 ISO
    • HP5 Shot at 1600 ISO
    • HP5 Shot at 3200 ISO
    • Medium Format
    • Washing Film
    • Split Grade Printing
    • Using Distilled Water in Film Development
    • Darkroom Paper
    • Foma100 EI 400
  • Photography Books & Films
    • Colin O'Brien
    • Lartigue Life in Color
    • Magnum Contact Sheets
    • Top Photography Movies
    • William Eggleston's Guide
    • Helen Levitt
    • Sally Mann Immediate Family
    • Saul Leiter Early B&W
    • Leica 100 yrs
    • Calendar Days of Asaya Hamaya
    • The Decisive Moment
    • Regarding Women
    • Robert Capa in Love and War
  • Single Image Deep Dive
    • Sergio Larrain "A Man After Dark"
    • Colin O'Brien 'Comings & Goings"
    • Erwitt Mother & Child
    • Man Running
    • Samuel Becket
    • Koudelka Wristwatch
    • Dovima with Elephants
Salzburg, Austria

8 Years in a Darkroom & Counting

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My First Darkroom:
​Film photography was a slow progression for me.  I had been shooting digital for several years and then I picked up my father's OM-1 and shot a roll or two through it. I took it to be developed and fell in love.

I then went to a medium format camera (Hasselblad 500cm) and I shot a few rolls through it. I quickly began dreading the development costs and decided I needed to develop it on my own. I adopted a hybrid system where I would shoot in film, develop chemically, scan and post process on the computer.

I kept dreaming of getting a darkroom set up but I could not find an affordable enlarger. I found several on Ebay but they all required local pick up and there was nothing near my home. One day I checked and happened to find one a mere 20 miles away. I purchased it and picked it up.

A wonderful LPL enlarger was mine, along with a 50mm lens, to packs of Ilford paper from the 1980's. I began playing with it in my bathroom (see the picture on the left) and through trial and error, I began learning.

Now I have a dedicated darkroom (pictures will follow) and am still using the LPL enlarger. My process has become a bit more sophisticated as I have tried to control the process as much as possible. In order to track what I am learning, trying and failing at, I will have this dedicated page for it. Have a read, have a laugh and let me know if you have any questions.
My Current Darkroom:
Oh how time has flown.  The old LPL enlarger I have given away as a gift to a friend so his daughter could play with it.  I have since acquired four enlargers, three Durst and one professional LPL.  I have a dedicated darkroom that I had built in my garage which is 10 ft by 10ft.  I built my own sink and designed the layout.  I will add a bit more on here so that if you are interested in building your own you can do so.  In the meantime, forgive my meandering thoughts, grab a cup of something, kick back and lets have some fun!
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  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Vintage Cameras
    • Argus 75
    • Brownie Flash II
    • Contax G2
    • Ensign Selfix 820
    • FED-1 (PE0320)
    • Graflex Crown Graphic
    • Ihagee Exa
    • Leica M6
    • Nikon S2
    • Nikon F
    • Nikon F2
    • Nikon F3
    • Nikon FA
    • Olympus OM-1
    • Olympus OM-2 SPOT
    • Olympus Stylus
    • Pentacon Six
    • Pentax Spotmatic IIa
    • Rollei 35
    • Voigtlander 15mm ver III
    • Yashica C
    • Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2
  • Learning Composition
    • The Monochrome Diaries
    • Single & Multi Elements
    • Symmetry
    • Keep the Right Strong
    • Framing
    • Color in Composition
    • Deep Dive Bubble Man
    • Photo Assignments
  • Darkroom Lessons
    • Building a Sink
    • Air Ventilation
    • Analyser Pro
    • Development Hints
    • Primer for Film Photography
    • Bulk Loading Film
    • Pushing & Pulling Film
    • Color Development
    • Digital Contact Sheets
    • Stick to One Film Stock?
    • HP5+ Shot at 200 ISO
    • HP5 Shot at 1600 ISO
    • HP5 Shot at 3200 ISO
    • Medium Format
    • Washing Film
    • Split Grade Printing
    • Using Distilled Water in Film Development
    • Darkroom Paper
    • Foma100 EI 400
  • Photography Books & Films
    • Colin O'Brien
    • Lartigue Life in Color
    • Magnum Contact Sheets
    • Top Photography Movies
    • William Eggleston's Guide
    • Helen Levitt
    • Sally Mann Immediate Family
    • Saul Leiter Early B&W
    • Leica 100 yrs
    • Calendar Days of Asaya Hamaya
    • The Decisive Moment
    • Regarding Women
    • Robert Capa in Love and War
  • Single Image Deep Dive
    • Sergio Larrain "A Man After Dark"
    • Colin O'Brien 'Comings & Goings"
    • Erwitt Mother & Child
    • Man Running
    • Samuel Becket
    • Koudelka Wristwatch
    • Dovima with Elephants