My first print in more than 5 years

brofkand · Jan 11, 2017

Today I went into the darkroom for the first time in 5 years (at least) and made a print.

I suppose it's a bit like riding a bicycle - you don't forget the basics, but it is possible to forget some of the nuances. I really enjoyed it and will be going back often!

I hope you enjoy the image - this is just a cellphone snap, so you don't get the full range of tones (nor do you get the subtle warm tones from the Ethol LPD I used).

John Wiegerink · Jan 11, 2017

Don't it just make ya smile and feel all warm inside? Makes ya wanna do it again!

brofkand · Jan 11, 2017

The magic moment of watching the print appear in the developer never goes away! Unless you expose the wrong side - which I did at first. This matte paper makes it hard to tell, but it's beautiful.

John Wiegerink · Jan 11, 2017

brofkand said:
The magic moment of watching the print appear in the developer never goes away! Unless you expose the wrong side - which I did at first. This matte paper makes it hard to tell, but it's beautiful.

Yes, sometimes I have to hold a sheet at an angle toward a safelight just to see the slight sheen of the surface. What paper are you using?

frank · Jan 11, 2017

Nothing like it!

brofkand · Jan 11, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Yes, sometimes I have to hold a sheet at an angle toward a safelight just to see the slight sheen of the surface. What paper are you using?

This is Arista EDU VC RC Semi-Matte. I also have some Ilford Art 300 (both in 8x10), as well as some Arista EDU VC FB Semi-Matte in 11x14. I'm saving the fiber papers for when I'm fully up to speed.

Sirius Glass · Jan 11, 2017

Warning to the OP. Those actions you took can become habit forming. Run away before it is too late.

John Wiegerink · Jan 11, 2017

brofkand said:
This is Arista EDU VC RC Semi-Matte. I also have some Ilford Art 300 (both in 8x10), as well as some Arista EDU VC FB Semi-Matte in 11x14. I'm saving the fiber papers for when I'm fully up to speed.

Those are all good papers and you should be able to see the difference between side by holding it at an angle as I suggest. Some old timers suggested a damp finger, but I don't like that idea. Sirius says run! I say run too, but I say run into the fire as fast as you can. The pain is a little more brief that way.

brofkand · Jan 11, 2017

I used to stick the edge of the paper to my lip - if it stuck, it's emulsion side. Somehow I did that and still got it mixed up. Oh well, at least the Arista paper is relatively cheap.

If I'm running from anything, it's regret from throwing away all the paper I had leftover from college. I thought I didn't need it! At least I saved all my film - and it's all still good. I've been shooting like I'm still in college lately. Even have some Type 55 that's still good...

Sirius Glass · Jan 11, 2017

I slide my finger over the paper, if it is slick then it is the emulsion side.

Agulliver · Jan 12, 2017

I got my enlarger out for the first time in two years over Christmas and while the quality of printing did vary...I produced a couple of utterly beautiful prints that totally blow away the scans I had earlier made.

Plus it's great fun, and more hands on than any other way of producing a positive image.

I usually feel which side of the photographic paper should be expopsed...nothing else quite like watching that image appear in a tray of developer...

Harry Stevens · Jan 12, 2017

I made four prints last night all rubbish but most satisfying......Well at least I like them,I like the involment of us mere humans in the process.

I used some Kentmere art paper and there is a very slight roughness to the side you expose the light I tested two strips with some family members with their eyse closed to see if they could detect the rough sides with both pieces and all got it right but it took a few seconds,my thumb works best but after a while you do it without thinking about it.

rpavich · Jan 12, 2017

Awesome!
Its seductive, isn't it?

HiHoSilver · Jan 12, 2017

Bravo Brofkand. I did similar a couple wks ago. 'Just studying up on how to get alot better at it. (Its been a bit more than 5yrs for me) 'Hard to imagine a better place to hang out to get better at it.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 12, 2017

Welcome back to the darkroom!

mshchem · Jan 14, 2017

I started back about 3 years ago after several unproductive years of wasting time with a dig***l camera. I moved into a new house 4 years back and almost thought about giving in. My 8 foot Kreonite sink sat out in the snow for a few weeks before I came to my senses. My new lab is even better than before. I got my Kreonite sink back into production and a free 10 foot Arkay stainless sink as well . I'm having a blast.
What's the point of photography if all you end up doing is annoying someone showing them pictures on your phone
Best Regards Mike

Cholentpot · Jan 14, 2017

brofkand said:
The magic moment of watching the print appear in the developer never goes away! Unless you expose the wrong side - which I did at first. This matte paper makes it hard to tell, but it's beautiful.

I cut to size, calculated, exposed and developed the cardboard stiffening stock that comes inside the paper box. It was my first time in the darkroom...

Larry the sailor · Jan 15, 2017

You're hosed.
A year ago I was sort of where you are only it had been 20 years.
Got busy with my old AE-1, then found a yashicamat-124 and got hooked on MF, then in late Summer I scored a killer deal on a RB-67 here on APUG and along the way I found a super buy on a huge darkroom set up on craigslist that was anchored by a Besler 45MX enlarger which included 4x5 negative carriers. Not being one to waste opportunity, since I had the negative carriers I really needed a camera to feed them so I now have a Toyo 45AX.

Toyo · Jan 15, 2017

Larry the sailor said:
You're hosed.
A year ago I was sort of where you are only it had been 20 years.
Got busy with my old AE-1, then found a yashicamat-124 and got hooked on MF, then in late Summer I scored a killer deal on a RB-67 here on APUG and along the way I found a super buy on a huge darkroom set up on craigslist that was anchored by a Besler 45MX enlarger which included 4x5 negative carriers. Not being one to waste opportunity, since I had the negative carriers I really needed a camera to feed them so I now have a Toyo 45AX.

Yep - that'll work.
Can't wait to see some images.
T

My first print in more than 5 years

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