A/NZ PX Round #7 - comments and feedback.

[Andrew K]

thanks guys - I'm glad you didn't mind my comments...

PS - Hoffy - I'm kind of glad you feel the same way about the KO as I did....I wanted one because one of my favorite photographers, William Clift used one to take some of my favorite photos of his. I could never understand why I didn't get along with it, especially considering the results - which I can best describe as medium format Leica (or Konica hexar) ish negatives - they have an almost 3 dimentional look to them....

 

[spatz]

Well, this being my first print exchange i must say i am thoroughly humbled by the quality of the prints. I am rather new to analogue photography so my comments should be taken with a grain of salt.

In no particular order:

Michael W: of the two portraits i particularly like the one on varycon paper. i think the boys enigmatic expression pairs very well with the texture of the paper and the way you have captured the midtones.

Nige: i have always had a soft spot for b&w infrared shots. i think you have captured the eeriness really well, both in composition and tonality. i do wonder though what effect a more dramatic sky would have on the image? just a thought.

Andrew K: what an interesting way to achieve a panorama! the print is a little dark but i guess you didnt have too much control over that.

Oxleyroad: never thought id receive a van dyke on linen! it has certainly spurred me into thinking about alternative processes - particularly liquid emulsion printing. one day! the lith print really suits the subject matter, i think. nicely done.

walbergb: a lovely print. has a wonderful tonality, especially as a result of toning. i dont think the print is too dark, though.

hoffy: i really love this image. not sure how you managed it but i find the contrast between the white walls, the black tire and the chrome wheel nuts superb. kudos

marc: i was in Germany late last year and though i went to Munich i didnt have time to visit the Neuschwanstein castle. im a fan of the acros/rodinal combo and you've managed to pull a great print from it. only thing i would do differently is add more drama to the sky, but each to their own!

smbooth: this is the first time ive seen a print from a 4x5 negative. wow! ill have to give large format a go one day. i like the way ones eyes follow the 's' shape of the stream.

And many thanks to Andrew for organising the exchange. I look forward to what subsequent ones will bring. Cheers!

 

[walbergb]

Thanks Spatz for your kind words.

Since doing my prints using the strong bleach, I have changed my approach to making ferri bleach. Instead of mixing the potassium ferricyanide and potassium bromide together (100 g each/liter), I make up a 10% stock solution of each, then mix them to suit my needs. I'm finding 50ml of each per liter (5 g) gives me the control I want: 2-4 minutes for a split in the mid tones; 8 minutes for a full tone. I've also started making my own variable sepia toner. Again, preparing a 10% stock solution of both thiouria and sodium hydroxide and mixing them in different combinations allows me to control the tone.

The waiting is hard to take. I'm really excited about seeing everyone's prints!

 

[walbergb]

That was fast! Prints arrived today. I had a cursory look at them, and all I can say is WOW:eek:

I'll spend some time viewing & admiring them over the weekend and post some comments thereafter (sounds like a lawyer talking :confused BTW, I've started a "Print Exchange" binder to store all these exchanged prints so I can view them time and time again (read: count me in on the next print exchange).

 

[Oxleyroad]

Bob tell me more about this print exchange binder.

I have asked the question before about what everyone does with the prints from the exchanges, and there is no one definitive answer. I keep mine in the plastic bags photo paper comes in - not ideal as it isn't an inviting way to show off what was produced in each exchange.

Sounds like you've got something...

 

[munz6869]

I keep mine in a large Ilford paper box labelled 'print exchange prints'!

Marc!

 

[Michael W]

I keep mine in an empty paper box. When exchange time comes I take them out and send the box with my new prints to Oxleyroad. When it comes back with the fresh additions I admire them and then put the older prints back in with them.

 

[walbergb]

I put the prints in a plastic page protector, two prints back-to-back in each. Info sheets goes between prints. Page protectors go into a regular 3-ring binder. That's how I store my negatives and contact sheets (PrintFile negative1/contact sheet1/contact sheet2/PrintFile negative 2). I'll type up a cover page with the date of the exchange and insert it at the beginning of each round.