Parking Space 19

That's really amazing. I wouldn't even attempt such a photo using my current developers. How much did you have to burn in the light or does the pyrocat HD really make that much of a difference?

Well, there was no burning in of the light. The print was made at a much higher contrast from the curb down to the bottom of the print. From the curb upward to the top I dialed in a much softer grade on my enlarger. I then burned in the top using a curved card and there was some buring on the right and left side...more to the right. Then I did some localized bleaching on the middle area of the parking lot. There was also some dodging as well. This was a work print and a test of HP5 and Pyrocat. I am waiting for my new batch of ilford warmtone to arrive and I will try printing this image again...with some changes. I believe that pyrocat did make a big difference in this situation. Pyrocat really tames the highlights on HP5.....much more so than my other ususal film FP4. In flat light I think that you will have to go to the 2+2+100 dilution with pyrocat to get good contract on a VC paper. Thanks for your comments.

Works for me John - a shot of nothing to some, but what an image of a simple everyday place that most wouldn't give a second glance too - let alone a considered photographic one!

Beautifully made photograph!
I can't wait for it to snow here so I can get out with the Isolette and make some more night shots! I usually stand develop to reduce flares and over-development of highlights, is this what you did?

Thanks for the comments. Carl, you are right...I was told very well known photographer at a gallery opening that a lifetime worth of images are located withing a two hour drive from my house. It makes sense to me because I can keep going back to my favorate area's when the light is perfect. Andy, I used pyrocat hd 1:2:100 for 15 minutes @ 70F. I agitated for the first minute then 2 inversions every 3 minutes until complete. I reduced the part a solution from 2 to 1 part...which seemed to help a lot. Negatives are still very dense. Next time I develop for 12 min and see what happens.

Very nice John, hope you post the warmtone version also.

Mike

John S,
I like this very much - it jumps out as a thumbnail and works on a larger scale, too. I like the way the squiggle of dry pavement in the foreground draws you into the image, along with the white lines painted on the pavement. The isolation of both trees to the left and right caused by the streetlight is fantastic! I find one thing distracting: the lighter-toned road cutting across the background. Perhaps there is a way to eliminate that element.
John W

Very inspiring. Thank you, John. At the first look, I would not believe that the picture had undergone so much manipulation.

I'm a new member making may way through the gallery. A lovely print!