Greetings from Southern California!

[Tis Himself]

Hello All

I've been involved with photography for 50+ years ... had a complete darkroom when I was 16. For several years I co-taught an elementary and intermediate adult education B&W photography class at a local high school. About ten years ago it was necessary for me to focus my attention on my business, so I had to give up teaching the evening class. Now happily retired, I've returned my interest s to photography.

My interests lie strictly in B&W film (do not like the term "analog") photography. The only digital camera I have is a point-and-shoot that I needed occasionally when I was working. I shoot primarily MR and a limited amount of 35mm. Want to turn a bedroom into a permanent darkroom and eventually get into LF. While I am not interested in digital, I feel that there is a place for all photographic mediums.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG and be yourself.

 

[Fixcinater]

Welcome from San Diego!

 

[chromacomaphoto]

Hello All

I've been involved with photography for 50+ years ... had a complete darkroom when I was 16. For several years I co-taught an elementary and intermediate adult education B&W photography class at a local high school. About ten years ago it was necessary for me to focus my attention on my business, so I had to give up teaching the evening class. Now happily retired, I've returned my interest s to photography.

My interests lie strictly in B&W film (do not like the term "analog") photography. The only digital camera I have is a point-and-shoot that I needed occasionally when I was working. I shoot primarily MR and a limited amount of 35mm. Want to turn a bedroom into a permanent darkroom and eventually get into LF. While I am not interested in digital, I feel that there is a place for all photographic mediums.

Welcome from Bangkok! I hope you'll settle in as easily as I have this month, it's a friendly place. I agree with you about the word 'analogue' but also that all mediums have their place!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Welcome from Japan! We shoot film here too.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Greetings & welcome from the Pacific North Wet. 'Will be good to see some of your images.

 

[mike c]

Welcome Tis, a lot of good places to shoot film around So. Cal. I'm working on getting the garge darkroom going.

 

[lxdude]

Welcome from the Inland Empire.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Welcome from San Francisco east bay but who comes down to So Cal about 4-5 times a year! Where in So Cal are you?

 

[CropDusterMan]

Hi Tis Himself, welcome. I'm up in Northern San Diego County, in Valley Center...do you already have
your darkroom Equipment for printing and processing film? There is a good shop, I'm sure you are familiar
with on Adams Ave called Camera Exposure...they have a bunch of enlargers and tanks + gear there. I usually
order most of my chemicals from Freestyle Photographic in LA...usually get it next day. Feel free to shoot
me a message if you have any questions. Keep an eye on Craigslist. I have a darkroom in my house too.

One thing you may want to do is head up to Irvine for the day...at the Irvine Center for Fine Art, they have an
INCREDIBLE fully complete darkroom! About 10 enlargers, beautiful sinks and print presses etc. It can get you
back into a groove and allow you to do a mental inventory of all the gear you'll need. I go there when I print 16x20,
as my Seal press is only for 11x14. Opens at 9am on certain days of the week, run by volunteers, open til 4pm.
I go in with clear goals in mind and generally focus on a couple negs, that way I can get them dried and pressed
before leaving. You'll be lucky if you see more that 3 people in a darkroom that could easily serve 10!

Unfortunately, there is no public darkroom in S.D

Best,
Jason

 

[OptiKen]

Welcome from Orange County (Mission Viejo)

 

[fotch]

Welcome to APUG.

 

[Tis Himself]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!

HiHo: it may be quite awhile before I can post any images as my scanner crapped out a few months ago. Since I only needed it for work, its replacement is low on my list of priorities, if at all.

Mike Best of luck on your darkroom.

Richard: I'm in San Diego ... second generation native. Family has been here since 1900.

Jason I am familiar with Camera Exposure ... can remember when the were on the other side of Adams (north side) and one block west. In fact, a good friend of mine who I've known for over 50 years grew up in the house on the southwest corner of Oregon and Adams. Was only in there once when they were located across the street. It was not a favorable experience as the guy who waited on me was rude and much less than helpful. Have not been back since. Don't know if it has the same ownership. Maybe he was just having a bad day! Will have to go in there again and check it out. Yes, I do have most darkroom equipment. It's been packed away for some time, so I'm sure I'll need at least a few items. One item I want to get is a new enlarger ... something that will handle 4X' I've pretty much settled on a Besler 45MXT. You mentioned Freestyle. I believe they have a store in Santa Dr springs which is closer and a lot better than going into downtown LA.

 

[jimjm]

Welcome to APUG!

Fellow San Diegan here (Mission Hills). We actually have a regional sub-group here on APUG, go to Groups > Regional, and you'll see us there. Feel free to join if you'd like.

We had a get-together at a restaurant in Mission Hills last week, and hope to organize some photo outings later this year in the San Diego and So. Cal areas. A number of us also shoot LF, so you would have a chance to ask questions and try it out before taking the plunge.

Jim

 

[Tis Himself]

Jim,

Thanks for the heads up on the local group. Due to some very serious health issues last year it may be awhile before I'll be doing any recreational "outings." I am, however quite interested. Right now I'm concentrating on opera (another of my passions) season with opening night in a couple of weeks. I missed all of last year. Have had several friends over the years who lived in Mission Hills. Look forward to eventually getting together with the group!