First print...everything worked as expected!

jay moussy · Apr 25, 2021

After asking so many questions, and getting a load of help here, I made my first print today!

Beseler 23C with homemade matteboard neg carrier
inexpensive 5x7 "Fomaspeed variant III Matte"
Ansco 130, vinegar-based stop, and rapid fixer, minimal wash.

I am pretty pleased with the result, considering the setup was just set this week.

Actually, I initially made a test run using ancient Kodak paper to check the mechanics of the setup, and realized I was missing a safelight near my trays, which I remedied!

Gotta have to learn how to safely handle paper though.
I have a credenza drawer under the enlarger, but it needs a tighter compartment, or maybe buy a paper tray?

relistan · Apr 25, 2021

jay moussy said:
After asking so many questions, and getting a load of help here, I made my first print today!

Beseler 23C with homemade matteboard neg carrier
inexpensive 5x7 "Fomaspeed variant III Matte"
Ansco 130, vinegar-based stop, and rapid fixer, minimal wash.

I am pretty pleased with the result, considering the setup was just set this week.

Actually, I initially made a test run using ancient Kodak paper to check the mechanics of the setup, and realized I was missing a safelight near my trays, which I remedied!

Gotta have to learn how to safely handle paper though.
I have a credenza drawer under the enlarger, but it needs a tighter compartment, or maybe buy a paper tray?

Congrats! Such a good feeling to see those first prints appear in the developer.

For a paper safe I just use a light proof bag from a previous box of paper. You only want to take out a few sheets at a time. Leave the rest in the original package. That way it's much harder to screw up all your paper in one mistake. Since this is your first box of paper and you don't have a spare bag, you might consider just putting the paper in the outer box and then in the drawer. This will be fine.

cjbecker · Apr 25, 2021

Awesome, congrats, its a great feeling. Also the start to a long obsession.

I really like the premier paper safe. Ive used the same one for 10 years or so. Just sits next to the enlarger, always ready and never failed me.

Sirius Glass · Apr 25, 2021

If everything worked making the first print, you must have messed up something. Start over and keep repeating until something goes wrong.

jay moussy · Apr 25, 2021

Well, "as expected" meant the system worked, and the results were livable, for this stage.

The first test pass was with the old FB paper, I did not think on using my new set of multigrade filters, with the VC Foma.
Astute spouse made a remark about strong shadows... probably payback for when I comment about some of her quilting color combinations!

ChristopherCoy · Apr 25, 2021

Pioneer · Apr 25, 2021

ChristopherCoy said:
View attachment 273111

I don't think that is what he is actually saying Chris.

I actually believe he is saying; " Congratulations and welcome to a lifetime of excitement and frustration!"

But that probably did not fit on the picture borders.

ChristopherCoy · Apr 26, 2021

Pioneer said:
I don't think that is what he is actually saying Chris.

I actually believe he is saying; " Congratulations and welcome to a lifetime of excitement and frustration!"

But that probably did not fit on the picture borders.

I know. It was a tongue in cheek post because I wanted to see the OP’s first print results.

Horatio · Apr 26, 2021

Congrats! I'm working on a functional darkroom by the end of the year. Maybe by then I'll have some negatives worth printing!

jay moussy · Apr 26, 2021

ChristopherCoy said:
I know. It was a tongue in cheek post because I wanted to see the OP’s first print results.

They are for sale!

Seriously, I think I need to raise whole enlarger, and, as I also need some sort of paper safe, I could integrate one within the riser base.

Pioneer · Apr 26, 2021

Horatio said:
Congrats! I'm working on a functional darkroom by the end of the year. Maybe by then I'll have some negatives worth printing!

I used to tell my wife that I would start printing when I had something worth printing. Then I realized that I would never learn to print unless I started printing what I already had. So I started contact printing everything I could that was large enough to see what was on the print. Typically 2x3 and larger.

I don't think any of it is still worth printing but I am certainly having a heck of a lot more fun now. And my wife thinks my photography is getting better.

Of course, what does she know?

MattKing · Apr 26, 2021

The best way to improve your photography is to print your own negatives.
Frustration included!

Sirius Glass · Apr 26, 2021

MattKing said:
The best way to improve your photography is to print your own negatives.
Frustration included!

Frustration is the point. If you are not frustrated, you are not pushing your limits and learning.

Horatio · Apr 26, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Frustration is the point. If you are not frustrated, you are not pushing your limits and learning.

Well, I must be learning a lot!

First print...everything worked as expected!

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