Mainer taking the plunge into the world of film :)

[TheTrailTog]

Hello all. My name is Aaron. I'm 27 and have recently started getting into photography. I used to be real into art but, kind of got out of it a few years ago having never quite feeling like I could express myself. This past Winter I decided to start learning about photography and am thoroughly hooked. It has proved to be much more fulfilling than any painting I ever did in my past. I have always had a love for b&w photography and this Winter picked up a Nikon D50 (don't shoot me yet ) to try and learn. I've come to the realization now that no matter what, a digital b&w shot will never match the feeling of b&w film. So I have decided to take the plunge into film. Right now I'm shooting with a Nikkormat EL and a Canonet GIII QL17. Yesterday I just ordered all my chemicals to get started processing my own film. I have absolutely no film experience other than playing with p&s 35mm 15+ years ago so I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions coming so be prepared...LOL Anyway, looks like you guys have a great place here. Just purchased a 6 month subscription to get started and am looking forward to learning from everyone.

Happy Shooting,
Aaron

PS- I have a gallery of my digital work if anyone is interested. I am always open to advice/criticism and appreciate brutal honesty as I really want to learn. Here's a link to some of my work: http://www.pbase.com/xia_ke

 

[w35773]

Aaron,

You seem to have a remarkable eye, based on your D----- pictures. Welcome to APUG and enjoy the wonderful world of film.

Russell

 

[David Brown]

Welcome. I know someone else very close to your age that started in painting, but now is an exceptional photographer. It happens.

 

[jovo]

Welcome to apug, Aaron. If what I see on your site is what you're doing as a beginner, you'll be really smokin' in no time! Maine is a wonderful place to find natural beauty and a wonderful place to photograph. I'm sure you'll enjoy the time you spend here.

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thank you very much for the warm welcome. So, anyone have any words of wisdom for a newbie?

 

[David Brown]

So, anyone have any words of wisdom for a newbie?

Read the directions first time out.

 

[SuzanneR]

Great eye... it should translate beautifully to film. We have an active group in New England, and we get together two or three times each year. Keep an eye in the regional area of the forum. Nothing planned for the moment, but I'm sure we'll come up with something fun.

Good luck with your adventures into the dark.

 

[TheTrailTog]

Read the directions first time out.

Sometimes I feel like reading is all I do...LOL I've been taking my time to do lots of reading and practicing the basics. I even got some old expired Kodak Max on ebay for like $0.10 a roll that I've been practicing reel loading with in a dark bag. Damn that was a pain to get down but, now I think I finally have that step at least taken care of which was one of my bigger worries. Been reading various books, websites, etc and asking questions on photographyreview.com which is where I mostly hang out. Okay, now where is that UPS truck with my goodies?

Aaron

 

[TheTrailTog]

Great eye... it should translate beautifully to film. We have an active group in New England, and we get together two or three times each year. Keep an eye in the regional area of the forum. Nothing planned for the moment, but I'm sure we'll come up with something fun.

Good luck with your adventures into the dark.

Thanks Suzanne I took a little over there while I was lurking. Seems to be quite the New England group. Though I have to admit, I've been known to be quite a bit of a hermit and 99% of my hikes are solo. You guys will have to break me of that

Aaron

 

[Black Dog]

In the words of Joey Tribbiani,"how YEW doin'? Oh yes, and "the highest technique is to have no technique" (Bruce Lee in 'Enter the Dragon'). Happy APUGGING!

 

[papagene]

Hello Aaron from western Mass. You have some good images in your gallery and you'll do very well with film.
Like you I started out as a painter/sculptor, even taught sculpture, 3-D Design and drawing. But photography seems to capture the image in my mind's eye much better.
As Suzanne said, we have a real good group here in New England. But if you play the hermit on us, I'll pester ya to come on down for a get together!

gene

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thank you very much for the welcome gene and Black Dog! Wow, was just cruising the galleries here now that I subscribed. INCREDIBLE work! :O

 

[roteague]

Hi Aaron, welcome from Hawaii. I'm sure you will enjoy this site.

 

[Bob F.]

A good eye for the creative use of DoF and use of light/shadow contrast I noticed on your site. Hope you enjoy yourself here!

I also 99% walk alone, albeit in Old England, rather than the New one... No one I know is prepared to wait while I stop to set up a tripod. Friends say they don't mind, but after the 12th stop in 200 yards it starts to get to them ).

Cheers, Bob.

 

[bdial]

Welcome from another of the New England contingent. I'm in New Hampshire, home of the Never Ending primary.

Barry

 

[DODDATO]

Aaron,
I have doing darkroom work for nearly forty years, and I never get bored with the process. I suggest you might want to find a book by the late Fred Picker called " The Fine Print" it will help you learn about film processing and print development. Also the three Ansel Adams books the Camera, Negative, and The Print are wonderful learning tools. After you learn the basic process, you can branch out into your own style of seeing and print making. Good luck. John

 

[rpsawin]

Aaron,

I know it's difficult but try to hold off on gear aquisition for awhile. Instead get familiar with the gear you have and concentrate on the fundamentals. Take advantage of the collective wisdom on APUG. And as much as you can participate in local group functions and/or workshops.

Welcome to APUG.

Bob

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks again everyone! Wow, wasn't quite expecting this warm of a welcome. This place is feeling quite cozy already

DODDATO, thanks for the book suggestion. I'll check it out. I already have Ansel's books 1, 2, 4, and 5. I haven't picked up "The Print" yet. Also have accumulated quite a few other books. Kind of a book addict when I want to learn something

rpsawin, no worries, I don't have any more money to buy new equipment...LOL There's nothing else I really need or want right now anyway except maybe a 24mm or 28mm prime for my Nikkormat as I primarily like landscapes. The only other thing is a basic scanner for scanning film. Other than that, I already have about 50 rolls of b&w film in the fridge and plenty of chemicals on the way

 

[Black Dog]

John Blakemore's Black and White Photography Workshop is essential as well-bridges the gap between the monograph and the howto book.It's really inspiring!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Aaron,

Welcome, and one more thing.

Some people apparently find APUG a bit 'clubby' and exclusive.

I can't see why.

Sure, there's sometimes a bit of history, good and bad, between members, which leads to comments that are off-topic or hard for a newcomer to understand. Ignore 'em, and soon you'll be as clubby (or not, as you wish) as anyone else.

I've been using film for over 40 years, since I was 16. I'm still learning, sometimes right here on APUG. And I try to teach a bit of what I've learned,
too.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Dinesh]

Welcome to APUG from your neighbour to the North.

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks again Black Dog! I'll add that book to my growing list

Thanks for the welcome Roger Clubby? Isn't any forum like that when you first join? Actually any community, real or cyber? I'm not worried about it, especially if this welcome is any indication of what this forum is like. Plus I've been lurking here for a few months reading so I know what I'm getting myself into...LOL Hopefully you guys won't get sick of answering questions on the basics, though I've been able to answer just about any question I've had with the search function.

Thanks for the welcome Dinesh

Happy Shooting Everyone!
Aaron

 

[winger]

Welcome from another New Englander (well, technically former now)! You'll really like the rest of the NE contingent. Even if you like hiking alone, they're a fun group to hang out with.
As for advice to a beginner - just shoot. Try and keep track of what you do (right and wrong), so you can repeat the good and not the bad the next time out. Don't worry 'bout the gear - it's the eye and the brain that get the right shot. Above all, have fun!

 

[copake_ham]

Aaron,

Welcome to APUG from NYC.

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks for the welcome winger and copake_ham

winger, I plan on keeping a full journal of everything