OP writes he doesn’t do books; worse, he certainly appears impatient. He has issues which mandate direct and easy answers to shortcut understanding and solve problems. Information overload or detail apparently isn’t well handled. He has constraints, obviously, But has begun printing. And yes that’s wonderful! So I get it.
I’ve been photographing, and amateurishly artistically on and off, about 50 years. Under ideal conditions I‘d follow post recommendations, the testing, to standardize and hopefully eliminate variables (there, I said it). Reality dictates I solely use Kodak 5222 XX bulk film for expense reasons, I use Xtol replenished for expense reasons, I have a wife who I (generally) hide my hobby from so my Xtol and chems are hidden in the garage (in 85-100F temps), I do my film processing in the garage (I put the chems into the refrigerator a bit to bring the temp down right before I process), and hurriedly print in a crammed bathroom/tub room late when she’s out, using 50’s equipment and generally older paper, for cost savings. I lay the enlarger on the floor and it’s brutal with the up-and-down action of my body at this age. I have to lie prone to view the grain in the focuser. There isn’t AC in the bathroom and I’m dripping. Fighting impatience is difficult.
In short MANY variables and non-ideal conditions. But am sticking to my routine which is a version of standardization. With time, I’m finally getting much better judging negatives and expected exposure time with the enlarger. That’s huge.
With this, I simply print. Limited exposure testing, cutting test strips or just winging it, and try to just make the best I can with as little paper waste as possible. I don’t test for Dmax etc., it’s all by eye, but with the time I have I just print and try to standardize what I can. I try not to snatch from the developer. About that word, I have many variables so nothing is ideal. Maybe one day I’ll get somewhere that I can standardize and eliminate variables.
I’d recommend the OP, given only a week’s experience to not rush, print some, adjust by eye what’s pleasing to you, and (somehow) share your images here for input so you can get very basic recommendations. OP if you can’t share images, then give us a chronological detailed list of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it With an explanation of the print result. Everyone is trying to help even if they’re speaking and arguing with others. All in good promotion.
I’ve been photographing, and amateurishly artistically on and off, about 50 years. Under ideal conditions I‘d follow post recommendations, the testing, to standardize and hopefully eliminate variables (there, I said it). Reality dictates I solely use Kodak 5222 XX bulk film for expense reasons, I use Xtol replenished for expense reasons, I have a wife who I (generally) hide my hobby from so my Xtol and chems are hidden in the garage (in 85-100F temps), I do my film processing in the garage (I put the chems into the refrigerator a bit to bring the temp down right before I process), and hurriedly print in a crammed bathroom/tub room late when she’s out, using 50’s equipment and generally older paper, for cost savings. I lay the enlarger on the floor and it’s brutal with the up-and-down action of my body at this age. I have to lie prone to view the grain in the focuser. There isn’t AC in the bathroom and I’m dripping. Fighting impatience is difficult.
In short MANY variables and non-ideal conditions. But am sticking to my routine which is a version of standardization. With time, I’m finally getting much better judging negatives and expected exposure time with the enlarger. That’s huge.
With this, I simply print. Limited exposure testing, cutting test strips or just winging it, and try to just make the best I can with as little paper waste as possible. I don’t test for Dmax etc., it’s all by eye, but with the time I have I just print and try to standardize what I can. I try not to snatch from the developer. About that word, I have many variables so nothing is ideal. Maybe one day I’ll get somewhere that I can standardize and eliminate variables.
I’d recommend the OP, given only a week’s experience to not rush, print some, adjust by eye what’s pleasing to you, and (somehow) share your images here for input so you can get very basic recommendations. OP if you can’t share images, then give us a chronological detailed list of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it With an explanation of the print result. Everyone is trying to help even if they’re speaking and arguing with others. All in good promotion.
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