I guess the tradition is to begin a new subscription with an introduction on this forum. After lurking on this site for some years, I have decided that I should provide some support. Although I probably won't participate much in the discussions, I can upload many of the numerous print scans I have accumulated. I mostly use this site for reading diversion - a good break from the routine. Maybe I might have something too contribute in the future.
Since many provide a small description of their history and what they are about photographically, I have composed one for you (see below). I hope it isn't too long.
I started out in 1970 at the age of 14, when a friend who had learned basic darkroom in high school photo club wanted my help to set up a home darkroom. I used a Kodak Bantam 828 for shooting at first, but graduated to a new Ricoh Singlex TLS soon after. Darkroom equipment was quite basic, Prinz enlarger and lens, no timer, etc. B/W only. Used Medalist single weight paper in grades 2 and 3.
I shot vacation photos in color off and on in the 70s, but did not do much B/W darkroom work. In the early 80s, I went full bore in B/W darkroom with all new equipment (Beseler 23CII, Rodagon), and moved into variable contrast (some RC, mostly Agfa fiber), along with fiber graded papers. In the late 80s to mid-90s I took mostly color vacation snaps, with some B/W enlargements on Panalure. I reopened the darkroom after moving in the late 90s, and have been working fairly constantly since then, with layoffs when necessary due to other needs. Currently, I use exclusively Ilford FP4+ and Multigrade Classic DW fiber.
For cameras, I switched to an old Nikon Ftn Photomic in the late 90s when a coworker went digital and gave me the camera free. Lately, I have acquired many more 35s from ebay, especially Minoltas, but I am moving over to Pentax 67 for better negatives. I recently acquired a Sinar F1 4x5, and hope to learn view camera come better weather.
I work mainly on non-staged shots as found and encountered in regular life and travels. I especially like to just walk about and look for interesting shots, sometimes, but not always, with projects in mind. I don’t like much manipulation, and try to stay away from extensive dodging/burning, probably because I’m lazy. I am not currently interested in digital since I am finally getting better at film (especially enlarging), and can now afford decent equipment.
Thanks for your patience.
Brendan Quirk
brendanquirk.com
Since many provide a small description of their history and what they are about photographically, I have composed one for you (see below). I hope it isn't too long.
I started out in 1970 at the age of 14, when a friend who had learned basic darkroom in high school photo club wanted my help to set up a home darkroom. I used a Kodak Bantam 828 for shooting at first, but graduated to a new Ricoh Singlex TLS soon after. Darkroom equipment was quite basic, Prinz enlarger and lens, no timer, etc. B/W only. Used Medalist single weight paper in grades 2 and 3.
I shot vacation photos in color off and on in the 70s, but did not do much B/W darkroom work. In the early 80s, I went full bore in B/W darkroom with all new equipment (Beseler 23CII, Rodagon), and moved into variable contrast (some RC, mostly Agfa fiber), along with fiber graded papers. In the late 80s to mid-90s I took mostly color vacation snaps, with some B/W enlargements on Panalure. I reopened the darkroom after moving in the late 90s, and have been working fairly constantly since then, with layoffs when necessary due to other needs. Currently, I use exclusively Ilford FP4+ and Multigrade Classic DW fiber.
For cameras, I switched to an old Nikon Ftn Photomic in the late 90s when a coworker went digital and gave me the camera free. Lately, I have acquired many more 35s from ebay, especially Minoltas, but I am moving over to Pentax 67 for better negatives. I recently acquired a Sinar F1 4x5, and hope to learn view camera come better weather.
I work mainly on non-staged shots as found and encountered in regular life and travels. I especially like to just walk about and look for interesting shots, sometimes, but not always, with projects in mind. I don’t like much manipulation, and try to stay away from extensive dodging/burning, probably because I’m lazy. I am not currently interested in digital since I am finally getting better at film (especially enlarging), and can now afford decent equipment.
Thanks for your patience.
Brendan Quirk
brendanquirk.com
