Just Printed my FIRST photographs!

[photobizzz]

I just got done enlarging and developing my first two photographs! WOW, I think I am hooked after just two enlargements! I was very nervous having never even taken a class or seen it done but it is so easy! (read a lot of books) First was a test print and then after adjusting my exposure and filter from a 3 to 1.5 I have a beautiful 8X10 of a 4X5 negative I took in 2005! I am extatic, now off to the hardware store to get a fitting so I can wash them properly in my archival print washer (sitting in a big tray of water right now)

Hooked - just like heroin (never did it but I imagine it is the same)

Colin

 

[largeformat pat]

The bug has bitten.
Have fun.
Pat

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Hey, well done, Colin, and welcome to the dark side. I'm impressed that you started with LF! I've just acquired my first LF enlarger, and can't wait to start using it, but I have to wait for a lens mount board (won't be too long, it's coming from Western Oz).

 

[photobizzz]

Well all I have is a Toyo 45A and am rebuilding an old Gundlach 4X5 flatbe, I used to shoot 4X5 but strayed from the flock for a while; even went digital (ugh!) but came back. I just got some plastic tubing so my archival print washer is going to town, I have it hooked up to my sink but sitting in the bathtub, my darkroom is my downstairs bathroom and it is cramped but oh well, it works. I love the Beseler 45 MXT I have, got such a good deal and having the motorized head is kick ass, can't imagine having to do it by hand. (spoiled I guess)

 

[Ektagraphic]

Congrats! It is so very rewarding!

 

[Jeff Kubach]

That's great to hear! I'm sure you'll do a lot more.

Jeff

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Congrats!

 

[photobizzz]

Thanks all, here is a 300dpi scan of the print. It just came off of the dryer.

Dead Link Removed

 

[photobizzz]

This is what I work with, very cramped...

 

[photobizzz]

Nice enlarger and washer though!

 

[Shadowtracker]

ooooh, oooooh, I have archival washer envy now....

I am going to have a go at making my own archival washer. My darkroom is about the same size I think. Used to use the bathroom the way you are doing but made a room about the same size down in the basement. It's better by far to have a dedicated room when you get one.

As for the photo; Another Job Well Done Colin! Nice tonality, great depth of field and detail. I am starting to use a yellow filter to make the sky not wash out so much but that's nothing to worry about.

But you are right, the first one is free, after that, you are hooked, and then the dark side looms.... Quite the buzz, no?

 

[photobizzz]

Yea I just printed another while my wife watched, very fun...

Yea I got very lucky getting the enlarger, grain focuser, print washer, 150mm Schneider Componon lens, trays, and more for $400! I even got a bunch of old paper that I sold to a fellow member for $100 so I really only have $300 in the setup. I ran a really long hose to a fitting on my sink in the bathroom to my print washer, I got the extra hose for $3 at the local plumbing supply store but it is nice to be able to turn the water on just a little for the washer to run and at the right temp too.

 

[MattKing]

Colin:

The darkroom looks great.

Have you tried bouncing the safe-lights off the ceiling or a wall? It can really add to the evenness of the lighting.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Colin, I'm very lucky to have a dedicated darkroom, but it is a bit smaller than your makeshift one, so you're not doing too badly.

 

[photobizzz]

I just have them hanging there for storage, I turn them to bounce away from the enlarger or the trays when am working. Not that it will affect the enlargement but I don't want to take the chance. Am I right in the idea that OC safelight filters are for MC paper and the red ones are for non MC paper?

 

[largeformat pat]

Colin,
I was also going to say about safe light fog of your paper. The safelight filter filters out the light that the paper is sensitive to. Most papers now use the brown/yellow, I'm stuck to think whom may still use red. The yellow/brown is lighter than the red so easier to work. Ortho film is handled under red light.
Have fun
Pat

 

[Wade D]

Nice setup and congrats on your 1st printing. I also use a converted second bathroom as my darkroom. The 45MCRX hangs over the counter about a foot but oh well. I use both OC and 1A(red) safelights with VC papers and haven't had a problem. OC over the enlarger and 1A over the trays both pointed up at the ceiling with 25W bulbs.

 

[darkosaric]

Hooked - just like heroin (never did it but I imagine it is the same)

Colin

For me was like first kiss ... after first one - I knew it I was to do it until rest of my life

 

[Rick A]

I just have them hanging there for storage, I turn them to bounce away from the enlarger or the trays when am working. Not that it will affect the enlargement but I don't want to take the chance. Am I right in the idea that OC safelight filters are for MC paper and the red ones are for non MC paper?

Watch out for the eastern European papers, they require RED only safelights. I only use red (since the 60's) and never fogged any paper with it(done plenty of that using stupidity tho). Congrats on getting the DR up and running. It isn't hard, you got it right, just read and follow instructions, it aint rocket science, but it is one helluvalotta fun. Keep notes on what you do, and dont be timid about asking questions, and keep shooting--its what keps us in the darkroom.

 

[Shadowtracker]

Yeah, keep notes, take your time, and avoid short-cuts. They usually cut you short on your results and don't save you any time at all. I have a new laptop but need to get things arranged to be able to use my scanner to be able to upload photos. I figure I'm not any kind of great photographer, but I have a blast working with it and love working in the darkroom as much as getting out and taking photos. I have learned a lot by asking questions of anyone I think might have an answer that can help me out. I have a red light I use over the developing trays and just picked up two more that are more the brownish color. I have one more 'can' type that I might use if I need it. Will take some digital photos maybe and put them on the Darkroom thread within a week or two; it is always fun to see someone elses darkroom; they inspire other ideas of what I might want to include or change about mine to facilitate efficiency.

 

[naugastyle]

Am I right in the idea that OC safelight filters are for MC paper and the red ones are for non MC paper?

I'm pretty sure that non-MC (graded) paper doesn't need red safelights. At least, I use mine with yellow and OC lights and have no issues. For VC papers I think it just depends on the paper. I did safelight tests on Foma Variant III RC, Arista Private Reserve RC and Ilford MGIV RC. Only the Foma fogged with the yellow light on, the others were fine with it (which I prefer because it's so much easier to see by). But my Fomatone warmtone RC's insert says it's fine with most safelights, and my Polywarmtone seems fine too, only MCC seems to require my dim OC lights.

 

[photobizzz]

Thanks all, I have 3 OC safelights and two red filters for them so no shortage. I will just stick with the OC and I keep them pointed away from my workspace since I have 25w bulbs in them, but I only use one and have not seen any fogging so far.

 

[snay1345]

Looks great. I myself have just started printing right around christmas when my wife finally caved and let me get an enlarger off ebay. I have made about 100 prints now and I am just getting to the point where I can envision what I want the final print to look like before I start the process.