My Girl - My First Roll of Film

Looks like a great (re)start!

Very well done! That expression on your daughter's face is priceless! Welcome back to the darkroom.

Its very good for the first roll, nice girly!

Cheers Armin

Thank you! I just realized I should probably mention that I did make adjustments in LR and PS. There were mostly simple changes like adjusting highlights, midtones, shadows, sharpening, etc. but I DID add "grain" to the photo in LR. I think I like grain in my film photos and there was absolutely none. Funny coming from the digital side since I'm constantly trying to remove noise. Anyway, I think that means I need to try a different film next time.

What kind of film was it? Medium format tends to be somewhat less grainy than 35mm. The real treat will be when you print this up properly in the dark!! You're off to a great start, and it's a wonderful picture.

Great start... cute kid!

What a way to jump back in -- beautiful image!!

Suzanne, it was Ilford HP5 Plus 400. I am glad you to hear you say it will be a treat to print it up in the dark. I was wondering if that would make a difference because the prints I got from the lab are so flat and blah. I was hoping that it would be different when I do try doing them myself.

Jody... in a word, yes. What you can do in the darkroom will be so much better than the lab. From time to time, I make very quick 4x5 proof prints in my darkroom, no dodging or burning, and generally guessing at the exposure, and they are a bit like a lab print. Kinda flat and dull, but they give me an idea about how the picture looks, and whether it's worth the effort. So when you really and truly make the print, give it the contrast you want, burn it and dodge it so you emphasize what you want, you'll think... how can this be the same negative?? Now, there are labs that can custom print, too, but it'd be great to give it a go yourself, and this picture looks like the perfect place to start!!

Thank you Suzanne! This is so helpful. I'll bring the film to my first darkroom class this weekend in case we actually get to play.