Printing your own negatives

Prest_400 · Oct 25, 2023

That is my approach. I do hybrid for color (there is indeed the look of film independently of it) and digital I let be as it is.
Infact, I never shoot B&W digital even if it's a practical option; Also I do mostly OOC for digital (I know..). Interesting if one thinks of it.

A tip about the flatbed "contacts" I do, these are rather decent resolution but quick, because I don't mess with the holders or individually adjusting the software inversion per frame (Epson Scan)... In the latter case flatbeds can be quite slow and frustrating in comparison to enlargers!
The other way around, I rarely do contact prints as the time I would spend there instead goes to RC workprints (as it's simpler to select+interpret out of a 6x9 negative).

For 35mm I tend to do workprints and scan those. Actually a 18x24cm print does hold decent resolution and does not exhibit grain aliasing when scanning. Also, I might repeat myself too much and sound like a darkroom fundamentalist, but if I didn't have darkroom access I would probably do a lot less B&W.

GregY · Oct 25, 2023

Rick A said:
I only shoot film because I love to make prints. It's the icing on the cake.

Rick I couldn't have said it better myself. If you ever make it to western Canada, I'll buy you a beer!

SJC1952 · Oct 25, 2023

I've been printing my own negatives for several decades. I wouldn't have it any other way.

warden · Oct 25, 2023

stam6882 said:
All very good reasons to start my dark room printing journey. Thanks all. I do want to use a simple scanning process just for evaluation of the negatives. I would not want to invest in a heavy weight film scanner. Perhaps a low cost flat bed will do or just use my digital camera with a macro lens.

If all you're doing is basic evaluation I've found a cell phone pic of negatives on a light table is sufficient for that once the image is inverted, and I use a wheezing iPhone7. ;-)

Bill Burk · Oct 25, 2023

RalphLambrecht said:
It's definately rewarding but it can be very frustrating because doing it well is a special skill.

Wholeheartedly agree.

Everyone should make at least a few prints in a darkroom to see if you like it.

If the magic gets you hooked you can go further down the rabbit hole.

I imagine the special skill Ralph mentioned is like the skill it takes to play a musical instrument.

As you begin you might end up with some prints too flat or contrasty or you might burn or dodge clumsily. But as you start to see what went wrong you’re going to get better at doing it right.

GregY · Oct 25, 2023

Bill Burk said:
Wholeheartedly agree.

Everyone should make at least a few prints in a darkroom to see if you like it.

If the magic gets you hooked you can go further down the rabbit hole.

I imagine the special skill Ralph mentioned is like the skill it takes to play a musical instrument.

As you begin you might end up with some prints too flat or contrasty or you might burn or dodge clumsily. But as you start to see what went wrong you’re going to get better at doing it right.

Absolutely...like any other skill the 10,000 hrs rule applies.

snusmumriken · Oct 25, 2023

For me it’s a matter of pride, control and cost. If I could accept someone else doing it, they’d have to do exactly what I wanted and it would cost a fortune.

Mike Crawford · Oct 25, 2023

Interesting question. I've worked as a specialist b&w printer since the 80s and print for some well known photographers, (at least in the UK) but also have done some interesting one off projects for big US clients, so assume these photographers are happy getting their exhibition prints and editions printed by someone else. It's a privilege working with such photographers and I really a get a chance to study their work. Sadly it's not such profitable work to do these days, (labs used to make their money on film processing before digital), but couldn't imagine doing anything else.

However.........

I also work on my own photographic projects and could not think about getting anyone else to print my own work, so what sort of hypocrite does that make me?

cliveh · Oct 25, 2023

Mike Crawford said:
Interesting question. I've worked as a specialist b&w printer since the 80s and print for some well known photographers, (at least in the UK) but also have done some interesting one off projects for big US clients, so assume these photographers are happy getting their exhibition prints and editions printed by someone else. It's a privilege working with such photographers and I really a get a chance to study their work. Sadly it's not such profitable work to do these days, (labs used to make their money on film processing before digital), but couldn't imagine doing anything else.

However.........

I also work on my own photographic projects and could not think about getting anyone else to print my own work, so what sort of hypocrite does that make me?

I don't think that makes you a hypocrite at all. I develop and print all my own negatives, but I regard the darkroom work as a learned skill, but the magic is in the image capture.

Pioneer · Oct 25, 2023

cliveh said:
Do you think it important to print your own negatives? I know of some photographers leave that to specialist printers.

That is an interesting question.

I don't know if it is important. I do print my own negatives but I have honestly never seen what anyone else could do with one of my negatives. Maybe I should find out.

Vaughn · Oct 25, 2023

I treat the entire process as one. I like the old joke about the various body parts arguing who is most the important. The brain boasting about its role, the heart beating its drum, the balls bragging how they control the brain, and so on and getting pretty noisy. Then the asshole told everyone to shut up or he'd wouldn't open up for a month...and silence reigned.

No printing would be a nasty form of constipation for me.

awty · Oct 26, 2023

I print my own because it's far greater skill than just taking a photo. I give way more credibility to anyone who makes their own pictures, especially by hand, especially as you can get a computer to do all the work for you.
Think a lot of other people think the same. A print made by AA is worth way more than one made by an assistant, the same goes with other media.
I text as my prints are in the wash waiting for toning.

Printing your own negatives

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency