Playtime

I took some photos (digital) of the grain focuser and filters. They belong in a museum.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kb2qqm/

Here is the reprinted 8x10. Still too dark. The orange wave above his head does not appear on the photo, it's the cheap scanner.
http://flickr.com/photos/kb2qqm/3097589421/?rotated=1&cb=1228928416550

Well. yes....no comment
The filters could be the reason why the image is not in focus.

That is nice

Greg, as Richard suggested invest in Ilford multigrade filters and a box of 8 x 10 RC paper. They are faster to develop (1 minute) and fix in 30 seconds, wash for 15 minutes. There are no short cuts to experience in the darkroom but there is the long way around ( starting with fibre paper for instant). And for goodness sake invest in a cheap stop watch. Good luck with your printing.

Cheers
TEX

So back to the "drawing board".

Thanks for all the explicit help. I sure do need it. I have to say that I am really grateful for the kind attention. Tonight I tried again. It sure is fun to learn.
But with learning comes many mistakes. Made lots tonight, but I left the darkroom knowing more than when I went in. Redid the photo at f/11 at 7.5 seconds with some dodging around the face. Tomorrow I'm going to get some filters. I can't wait.
Ordered some paper from down in Chicago. Should be here tomorrow.

1. Sure is humbling to look at all the great photos in the gallery, and then try that stuff here and fail miserably. If I had to survive on $$ from my photos, I think I would lose allot of weight.

2. It's nice to be able to walk away from the darkroom alive when I mess up, versus
not coming home from a bad night of flying.

3. Use the correct Safelight with the right paper !!
Was using a Red "OC" filter with kodak paper.
Switched paper to Ilford and did not change light.
After hanging up prints to dry, fixed film dried with a red border.
Maybe its the light, maybe it's the fixer.
Switched to an old amber light I got with the Beseler 45M and
no problems with the paper. Live and Learn.

4. I am still having fun. This hobby will be cheaper than owning a 30' sailboat. (At least for now ;-)
Been there done that.

5. My grain focuser if you could call it that, is garbage. Got by with it, and used
a big magnified glass to make the image bigger so I could see it. Middle aged eyes.
(Any suggestions for a new one under $150 USD ? Ebay included.

6. Can anyone make a suggestion for a photo log book spreadsheet for the Mac to
log info besides a little book for notes?

I will post a new photo when I get the filters and figure that out. I know that with everyone's help I can make this a success.

Thanks for your time.

Greg