Hello from N.C.

[cdowell]

Hello from North Carolina. I've been lurking on APUG discussions and have been inspired to get back to a more hands-on method. I've been shooting all B&W MF, but paying to have it developed, then scanning in the negatives. I lost my darkroom five or six years ago.

Now I've been out to the garage and found my development tanks, reels, and the dark bag I use to load film. I want to start developing my own film again...

a) for the fun of it and

b) because I'm starting to think the service bureau I use isn't keeping the chemicals fresh because of the flat negatives I'm getting.

I'll still scan them in I guess, and look forward to learning what options are out there in terms of output on something other than a Epson.

My main system is a Bronica SQ-Ai for 6x6 and a Fuji GW690 for 6x9. I haven't used the Fuji much, but love the 6x9 negs since it was those that got me into darkroom work a decade or so ago when I inherited a box full of them from my grandmother. I was stunned to see how good big negs from 1940s Kodak were and moved up to MF right then.

My dream is to someday find a 100-year-old 8x10 camera that is flawed and affordable but yet somehow still takes unique, interesting and pleasing portraits that I'll contact print in a makeshift darkroom. Never hurts to dream.

That's about it, I guess. Thanks for the site. I'll figure out how to join and do so.

All best --Clifton

 

[jovo]

Welcome, Clifton! You've come to the right place, and I think you'll enjoy yourself. 6x6 and 6x9 are terrific formats.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hello Clifton and a warm welcome to APUG.

Jeff

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Welcome to the forum, Clifton.

 

[Dave Pritchard]

Welcome to apug. I'm a few miles west of you.
I returned to photography recently. I am developing (b&w and color), but have not yet cranked up the enlarger. I am using mostly MF, 6x6 and 6x7.

 

[2F/2F]

Welcome. You are in one of my favorite places in the country (and the world). I had the pleasure of driving your state end to end this January (Nags Head to Great Smokey Mountains National Park, mostly via U.S. 64). It is up there in the top three U.S. states in my book, as far as geographical beauty goes. (My book goes: southern Utah, Western NC, eastern TN. The last two could really be combined into one.) Lots to shoot there. Additionally, one of my best shipmates from the Navy was from New Bern (as is Jim Ormond, sole proprietor of Western Bellows here in Southern California). Again, welcome to APUG.

 

[papagene]

Clifton - hello and welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts.

gene

 

[Anscojohn]

Welcome, Clifton, from near Washington, DC. We just bought a house with a Raleigh address. We shall not be living there for several years, yet: retirement, and all that. It does have space for a darkroom, though.

 

[fotch]

Hello Clifton, welcome to APUG, from SE WI

 

[jtzordon]

Welcome! I'm not too far from you in Greensboro, NC. Seems there's a few NC apug'ers here. Anyone interested in a meet-up?

 

[Konical]

Good Morning, Clifton,

Welcome from southwestern Illinois, St. Louis area.

Konical

 

[removed-user-1]

Welcome! I'm not too far from you in Greensboro, NC. Seems there's a few NC apug'ers here. Anyone interested in a meet-up?

It does seem that there are a few North Carolinians here now. I'm in Charlotte. I just checked and there IS a North Carolina regional group on APUG (just joined it) but there are no posts yet.

 

[cdowell]

I joined the North Carolina group, too. Thanks for the welcomes, everyone, and for all the kind words about the Old North State.

 

[jtzordon]

Hmmm ... off to find where regional groups are located.

 

[Besk]

I live 12 or so miles from the North Carolina line in South Carolina. It is great having quite a few folks from out section of the US. There is quite a variety of good places to photograph in the Carolinas - from the mountains to the sea and many historic places in between.

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome.