Developed my first roll of b&w today!

thebeatles · Apr 6, 2011

And I didn't screw up to awfully bad! I still need to purchase a scanner so I can actually take a look at the results, but I took a awful shot of the freshly developed negatives as they were drying, and inverted everything in gimp to hold me over until I can make scans.

And here is my hi-tech developing room.

The film was Ilford HP5+ 400, and it was shot on my Canon T2.

Next step is to shoot a roll of Kentmere 400 in this puppy (after it gets a good spring cleaning of course).

Kevin Caulfield · Apr 6, 2011

Hey, well done. Now you are hooked. They look pretty good. It's all fun from here on.

thebeatles · Apr 6, 2011

Kevin Caulfield said:
Hey, well done. Now you are hooked. They look pretty good. It's all fun from here on.

Thanks Kevin! I am definitely hooked! Time to box up the digital.

Kevin Caulfield · Apr 6, 2011

thebeatles said:
Thanks Kevin! I am definitely hooked! Time to box up the digital.

Yep, chuck that digitoy on eBay.

wotalegend · Apr 6, 2011

That looks pretty much like my "dark" room - but mine has a special hi-tech film washing facility known as B.A.T.H., and a drying facility known as S.H.O.W.E.R.

thebeatles · Apr 7, 2011

wotalegend said:
That looks pretty much like my "dark" room - but mine has a special hi-tech film washing facility known as B.A.T.H., and a drying facility known as S.H.O.W.E.R.

Mats_A · Apr 7, 2011

Congrats! Nicely done. Remember to wipe any spilt fixer off after finishing as it will leave prominent white spots on drying.
Welcome to the club.

r

Mats

jerl · Apr 7, 2011

Congrats on your first roll, I also just started too, just a few months back.

If you can, try to make some prints. I really enjoyed developing film, until I discovered that print making is even more fun, and now developing film is a chore in comparison.

Jeff Kubach · Apr 7, 2011

Developing your film is fun. So is printing!

Jeff

thebeatles · Apr 7, 2011

Thanks folks! I would love to get into printing, but I live in a fairly rural area and there are no darkrooms anywhere. My dream would be to have a darkroom in my basement, but it was hard enough convincing my wife I needed to invest in developing supplies.

SHbaker11 · Apr 7, 2011

I'm loving it! did you know i have a passion for B&W Photos? well now you know and it's a "two thumbs up" for yah!

thebeatles · Apr 7, 2011

SHbaker11 said:
I'm loving it! did you know i have a passion for B&W Photos? well now you know and it's a "two thumbs up" for yah!

Thanks!

Simon R Galley · Apr 7, 2011

Dear 'The Beatles'

Congratulations and well done, you are very important to me...you are a new customer! Film looks fine, now we have you hooked printing is the third creative step, some would say the most important : take the image / process the image / prrint the image / present the image.

In preparation PM me your address and I will send you the MULTIGRADE printing softback book, as start you will... and it should save you a few bucks.

Thanks for using and valuing ILFORD Photo products.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

PS : I do not know the reason why you tag 'The Beatles' but the ILFORD Photo factory is about 25 miles or so from Liverpool.

Gaga · Apr 7, 2011

Congrats. I'll be developing soon. I can't wait.

Halford · Apr 7, 2011

Awesome and congratulations! Welcome to the fun of DIY processing.

You can work up to the issue of a printing darkroom over time ;-)

Edward_S · Apr 7, 2011

Past the point of no return in one easy step!

warden · Apr 7, 2011

They look great. Congrats!

thebeatles · Apr 7, 2011

Thanks again folks! I will pm you Simon!

brian steinberger · Apr 9, 2011

It is the point of no return absolutely! I remember looking at my first roll of film hanging up drying. It is exciting! Where exactly in PA?

IloveTLRs · Apr 9, 2011

thebeatles said:
Time to box up the digital.

That's not addiction, that's good taste

tkamiya · Apr 9, 2011

Well.... If you look around, you should be able to find a good usable enlarger for free or practically free.

Here's how you can do this. Find one and bring it home and set it up. Then, tell your wife, you'll just need "a few more" things to get started, like trays, tongs, etc. Get that.... then you'll need "just a few more minor things" like chemicals... then paper.... oh, I forgot a timer! How silly of me.... By then, your wife will be rolling her eyes. Sneak in a easel while her eyeballs are pointing up. Soon enough, you'll have a complete darkroom. Right? Right!

After all, your happiness is important to your wife. She'll understand....

p.s. Your mileage may vary. Tax, tag, title extra. Void where prohibited by law (a.ka. the wife)

p.p.s Jokes aside, many things can be obtained for free or nearly free as schools, businesses, and individuals get out of wet photography work. Sometimes, they'll be happy that you'll come and take their "junk" away. I really suggest you look around first and get them used. You'll be amazed what you can get.

Sirius Glass · Apr 10, 2011

You are so screwed now! You will have an onset of GAS [Gear Acquisition Syndrome] and you will never have money for anything but cameras, darkroom equipment, chemicals and paper. Your life as you know it will never be the same. You have been infected with the analog photographer's addiction. Welcome to the dark side!

Steve

ags · Apr 10, 2011

Don't forget to scour the local craigslist for darkroom gear. Here in St. Louis, it seems like every other day someone is selling a complete darkroom for $100-200. If you live in a rural area, it might be fun to take a road trip to a bigger city to pick up the gear. Have fun!

TareqPhoto · Apr 13, 2011

Congrats!
I still remember the first time i developed my first B&W at home, i was thrilled.

thebeatles · Apr 13, 2011

brian steinberger said:
It is the point of no return absolutely! I remember looking at my first roll of film hanging up drying. It is exciting! Where exactly in PA?

Bedford, PA

Developed my first roll of b&w today!

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