Darkroom learning curve

[eskyone]

I’m blown away by the number of photographers printing, and what looks like some awesome stuff. I would love to learn how to print, and considered taking the first step and buying an enlarger. A moment of hesitation however, I have cold feet. Workshops and classes will help me along, is it anything like Golf? Will I have some nice clubs and after some lessons maybe take a few swings off of my game? At some point however, usually fairly quickly, the realization that Tiger and I will never be paired up sinks in? IS printing that difficult? The talented folks around APUG have set the bar pretty high. What is the learning curve like?.

 

[Ian Grant]

No printings quite easy, so you can get to a good level very quickly. Getting past that might take a little longer because you have to build up experience.

Ian

 

[Mick Fagan]

The learning curve is continuous!

That said, I would suggest you try and find someone who has a functioning darkroom and go and have a look.

I bopped along very nicely with the barest of equipment and the barest knowledge, for about 20 years.

The main thing is to make prints that please you, and anyone you give a print to.

Like all things, you should hit a steep curve at the start, you will be able to easily maintain the curve. Once you attain a reasonable level of competence, the learning starts to be only as good as you wish or desire.

Learning to ride a bicycle is usually quite easy, learning to ride it well is a bit harder, getting to each successive level requires more effort, photography and I assume golf, is no different!

Mick.

 

[ricksplace]

IMHO, you can get acceptable results right away in a darkroom (unlike golf). Prints with the "wow" factor take a little longer.

 

[kevcurry67]

Pick up a basic book or two on printing and start from there. You could become familiar with the basics in no time... and before you even set up a Darkroom.

''Darkroom Basics and beyond'' by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz would be a great place to start the journey... easy to read and well illustrated.

Best of luck

 

[removed account4]

Henry Horenstein' book is pretty good it has photographs of what can go wrong as well as right
( and he is a ri school of design professor )

it takes a little while to get the hang of things, but i am sure it won't be too long.

john

ps. don't forget to have fun!

 

[Chan Tran]

You won't be printing like Ansel Adams any time soon but it's not difficult to be able to print as well or better than if you send it to a typical lab.

 

[Anscojohn]

What has been said to you above is all true. Go for it. And no matter how good or not-so-good that first print is, there shall be a feeling of wonderment as you see the image appear on the paper. I first saw that as I watched my Dad print when I was about six years old. I see it and still feel it every time I print. It's magic......and so much better than golf.

 

[Claire Senft]

Making satisfying prints is much easier if you properly expose your film and appropriately develop it. Poor quality negatives cause printing to be very much harder.

The wonderful thing about doing your own darkroom work is that you really begin to learn the process and how the film and paper work together.

Never before has there been a time when enlargers are so affordable. Since people's choice eveolve over a period of time it would be advisable to get an enlarger that will handle negatives up to 4x5 in size.

You will probably be buying a used enlarger lens. Make certain that you have the right to test it and to return it if not satisfactory.

 

[smieglitz]

Take a class at a local community college where you will be taught the fundamentals. After a few months seek out a commercial photographer and obtain an in-house position with their lab. You'll learn much more quickly under the commercial pressure and especially by using someone else's paper.

 

[eskyone]

Thank you all for the wonderful words of wisdom and ideas. One thing that I have thought to do is take a B&W class through the university up north of me. Living in a rural area, our community college resources are focused elsewhere. The whole process is fascinating to me and I'm looking forward to my first print. Thank you all very much - Sean