My first attempt in the darkroom

[TattyJJ]

So this is the product of my first go at both developing film and printing it.
Examining the negative i can see better could easily be done, but it was getting late and using someone else's paper they had kindly donated while giving me some tuition.

Image was a double exposure of me and my better half messing about with sparklers on bonfire night.

 

[bdial]

It's better than my first attempt, good show and congratulations! Welcome to the magic.

 

[MattKing]

Congratulations! Looks good.
You may have, however, picked one of the toughest negatives ever to learn printing with

 

[TattyJJ]

Thanks

Ha, it didn't even occur to me that some negatives might be easier to work with than others!
I have a nice big box of my own paper now and am returning on Wednesday to have another go, there are a few more i want to try printing and will just scan the rest.

 

[rpavich]

Nice job!
I wish mine started out as well.

 

[TattyJJ]

Any tips before i have another go in a few days?
For what it's worth i've bought Kentmere vc select Lustre paper, staying small at 5x7 for now.

 

[MattKing]

One of the reasons that that particular negative is a challenge to learn from is that it is hard to come to a conclusion about how the scene "should" look. It is almost abstract, and you are probably looking more for mood than anything like accurate representation.
So if you are going to try to learn from the process, I would recommend something where you can evaluate the results against something.
I'll upload an example for illustration.
This shot has shadows, mid-tones, highlights and textures. So when I print it, I have "targets" for the way I want the various areas of the print to look.
If it appears too dark, I'll know to lighten it. If it appears too light, I'll know to darken it. If the contrast is unsatisfying, I'll know that I need to change it. And if different parts of the scene would benefit from "tweaking" the density (darkness and lightness) and contrast in different amounts, I'll know enough to do that. As you learn, you will find yourself being more and more confident doing that sort of "tweaking".
Have fun! And keep your discards and make notes on them.
.

 

[TattyJJ]

One of the reasons that that particular negative is a challenge to learn from is that it is hard to come to a conclusion about how the scene "should" look. It is almost abstract, and you are probably looking more for mood than anything like accurate representation.
So if you are going to try to learn from the process, I would recommend something where you can evaluate the results against something.
I'll upload an example for illustration.
This shot has shadows, mid-tones, highlights and textures. So when I print it, I have "targets" for the way I want the various areas of the print to look.
If it appears too dark, I'll know to lighten it. If it appears too light, I'll know to darken it. If the contrast is unsatisfying, I'll know that I need to change it. And if different parts of the scene would benefit from "tweaking" the density (darkness and lightness) and contrast in different amounts, I'll know enough to do that. As you learn, you will find yourself being more and more confident doing that sort of "tweaking".
Have fun! And keep your discards and make notes on them.

I see, that makes a lot of sense! There are plenty of other negatives off the roll that are well worth trying, will pick something a little more appropriate.
A very quick scan of the negative reveals a LOT more that my attempt at a print!

 

[LAG]

Any tips before i have another go in a few days?

Test strips

 

[TattyJJ]

Test strips

I did that, 2 of them. But apparently i still chose wrong

 

[bdial]

Two is not very many. Via your scanner, you've discovered a whole different look. You could try making 5 or 6 different prints of the neg, exploring what changes in contrast and exposure do. If you remember the exposure and filtering you used for the first one, use that as a starting point.
If you don't remember, and didn't note it down, start with doing that. I jot the exposure and filtration on the back of the print, and sometimes in a notebook if I need detailed notes.

 

[rpavich]

I did that, 2 of them. But apparently i still chose wrong

No, not wrong...its personal. You might choose differently after some reflection and gaining more knowledge.

 

[TattyJJ]

Alas i didn't make any notes, it was having a quick tutorial that was mostly about how to use the kit. The rest is down to me!
I'm thinking the one below will me a little more appropriate to start with, plus it's one of my faves
Can you tell i was playing with depth of field....

 

[keenmaster486]

Well, that's an amazing photo on many levels.

 

[TattyJJ]

Well, that's an amazing photo on many levels.

Ta muchly