Let's All Print (or Maybe Scan) One Negative 2025

cowanw

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 29, 2006
Messages
2,291
Location
Hamilton, On
Format
Large Format
My Print is ready too. and I have made a digital image of it, which I will put up here when the time comes. I specify print because I think the point of the exercise, for me, was to print a film negative and the physical print is the intended output. Nevertheless, and obviously, that wont work here; but as soon as Canada Post is not on strike I will mail the print to Don_ih, because I think he deserves it. Perhaps, if it will not make a fuss, he might then comment on the physical print and its digital representation.
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
Perhaps, if it will not make a fuss, he might then comment on the physical print and its digital representation.

I will happily comment on anything if asked. And it's nice of you to offer the print.

I have a great deal of difficulty getting scans to look like prints. While I can work with scanned negatives and make them look how I want them to, whenever I have a print and scan it (or digitally photograph it in a copy stand), it tends to not look quite like the print when I compare them. I'll admit to not being patient enough to fiddle too much with white balance and things like that, though....

I'll have to for this, I guess. I printed to 5x7 for this, since it is a convenient size for scanning, although it's a bit small for much darkroom manipulation.
 

dcy

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
May 9, 2025
Messages
887
Location
New Mexico, USA
Format
35mm
I was hoping to get into the darkroom this week, but it's not looking likely at this stage. Don't wait up for me - but I expect I'll be able to make my print next week and deliver a scan of the print then.

Same for me. I am running behind as well.
 

mcfitz

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
176
Format
Multi Format
My print is done, I've just sent you an email, Don.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
54,525
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Please don't wait on me. It will be done, but I'm not sure exactly when.
 

snusmumriken

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 22, 2021
Messages
2,666
Location
Salisbury, UK
Format
35mm
I am waiting for my darkroom print to dry and flatten, before I can try to photograph it on my phone without reflections. So it will be a day or two yet before I can email anything over.
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
There's time. I'd like more than 50% of those who received negatives to be finished. We're not close to that, yet.
 

Reginald S

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Messages
62
Location
Germany
Format
Large Format
My next darkroom session for pulling out something of Don's negative will be on October 13 .
Since I'm just back on Oktober 20, please feel free to start the show earlier.
 

rduraoc

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2004
Messages
255
Location
Brussels
Format
Medium Format
I have finally reached a print I am happy with. Now on to scanning and getting the digital file to look like the print (new experience for me...). I should send it in in the coming days.
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
I should send it in in the coming days.

I see you sent it - thanks!

Results are slowly coming in. That's great.

I have not yet scanned my own result - I should do it today or tomorrow.
 

awty

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
3,696
Location
Australia
Format
Multi Format
Hi Don
I finally did a print, my right shoulder has been too bad to operate the enlarger or anything much. Coming good, so I got busy tonight. I'll scan tomorrow and send it off.
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
That's great!
We're getting close to 50% being done.
 

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,828
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
I'll also be late to this party. Been kept out of the darkroom by a combination of too-much-work and a bad back.
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
What do we think, folks? Should we start posting images?
 
OP
OP

Don_ih

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
8,327
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
I have surveyed the email responses I received. It seems to me everyone should post their own results in the thread. Some people have made more than one, so they can either be posted separately or all together in one comment. People who didn't send me results are still invited to send it via email and also post it in the thread (the email allows for higher resolution). Once it looks like everyone is finished, I'll compile the results in a pdf which everyone can download. The results so far have shown quite a bit of variation in interpretation - which is great.
 

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator
Moderator
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
12,625
Location
Coquitlam,BC Canada
Format
Multi Format
Okay, then here's mine!
Ferroblend print from inkjet neg, printed on Canson XL Watercolour (pre-acidified in Sulfamic Acid). It's about 6"x6".

Thought process? Since there was a ton to look at in the original, I thought I would focus on "parts" of the image...

 
Last edited:

mcfitz

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
176
Format
Multi Format





Scan from a darkroom print, on Ilford MGRC Satin, 18x24cm. Developper is Adox MCC, dilution 1:4.

The sign above the building: USED AUTO PARTS was the inspiration.

The print is multiple exposures on the same sheet of paper, the negative first under-exposed so that a ghost image of the slightly cropped negative formed the base for the rest.

That sheet was put in the paper safe while I got on with the next part of the printing process.

The head of the enlarger was raised and refocused before returning the sheet of pre-exposed paper.

It was swivelled 180°, so upside down relative to the first exposure.

The easel was then shifted around under the enlarger head, with areas dodged while exposing areas that interested me.

I wanted to fill the spaces that were empty, and move those vehicles around in space.

Four separate areas were exposed this way, et voilà le résultat.

This is a very simplified description of two separate days in the darkroom and of all the trial and error that went on!

Four prints were done this way, each one different, and unique.

None can be duplicated, at least in a darkroom.