Question on film

[Andy K]

Do photographers get the same thing? Photographer's block? It must be easier to cure...we writers have to create the imagery, photographers just have to capture it within the right light.

Tell that to O. Winston Link.

 

[Bob F.]

Alas, I'm not a photographer. I'm an accomplished creative writer, actually. <snip>

Ah... all becomes clear...

Bob.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I see nothing wrong in a man trying to educate himself. Actually, it's commendable.

 

[titrisol]

You are a brave man to have a magazine about photography without almost no technical knowledge....
I'd reccomend you acquire at least the Phtography by Upton book, and a few others... and read read read
Get yourself a cheap 35mm rangefinder, some darkroom equipment, shoot, develop, print, then you'll be more qualified

Alas, I'm not a photographer. I'm an accomplished creative writer, actually. A poet. I've organized and held many open mic nights in NYC and Long Island that have included a home for people who perform spoken word to audiences. My passion truly lies there...although writer's block has prevented me from writing anything new for the past year or so. Do photographers get the same thing? Photographer's block? It must be easier to cure...we writers have to create the imagery, photographers just have to capture it within the right light.

 

[Flotsam]

I may be wrong but my limited understanding is that "Inked" is a magazine devoted creative monochrome photography and digital imaging aimed mainly at collecting and appreciation.
You don't have to be an accomplished painter to appreciate and comment on fine art. You don't have to be a Chef to review restaurants. If inkedmagazine is indeed interested in developing his personal knowledge of the creation part of traditional photography in order to gain a more full understanding of the process involved... Great. If he had some other motive in asking the question... well, I've been interested in the responses by APUGers anyway.

 

[Gerald Koch]

The photo critic A. D. Coleman once boasted that he didn't take pictures.

 

[k_jupiter]

I see nothing wrong in a man trying to educate himself. Actually, it's commendable.

Yes it is... but you don't do it by imitating a 1987 Modern Photography's "The best 7 zoom lens for 35mm cameras" format. It was not a good question.

tim in san jose

 

[Andy K]

Any question which encourages thought and discussion is a good question.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I agree with Flotsam's post above, but a question for the editor--

Out of curiosity, why did you decide to start a magazine about B&W photography? Do you collect photographs or spend a lot of time in galleries?

 

[Grunthos]

The photo critic A. D. Coleman once boasted that he didn't take pictures.

I have always thought that Coleman was a pretentious and pompous ass!!!


Grunthos The Flatulent

 

[gnashings]

Hey, buddy, do me a favor, re-visit my website and re-check the covers to my first and second issues. Please tell me where I use the word "best" ANYWHERE on either cover. The website's url is www.inkedmagazine.com.

I've come to this specific forum to discuss black and white film, not my magazine, just as I came to the other forum to discuss my opinion on why B&W is now accepting digital work. You don't like my magazine, that's your problem. Stop trying to start a fight with me in every forum I post in.

Hi "Buddy"

I think this was the first time I ever replied to anything you wrote... so relax.
And I don't see how anyone not liking your magazine is their problem - tad pompous, are we?

Either that or your writer's block extends to the basic structure of this language and how to accurately convey a thought using it... For someone who claims to be a writer, you definitely have a hard time getting your thoughts across...

As to the frequent use of the word best - I was actually curious as to what all the up-roar was, so I clicked on your little avatar. If you don't like what it shows, its your avatar - change it.

If I had an avatar showing me in the process of clubbing a baby seal, I could hardly blame you for thinking I am not an animal lover

Have a nice day,

Peter.

 

[Grunthos]

Whoa. I missed the Volkswagen thing. Where? (I'm a long time VW nut).

I had to edit that out of my post. Wrong Gerald. Have a look at the private gallery for Geraldatwork. The title of the photo is Dis-Sembly line, or something similar.

Grunthos

 

[scootermm]

Also, make sure to stop by f8 Gallery next weekend. Let Amy know I sent you and to give you a complimentary copy of the seocnd issue. Tell her David Spivak sent you.

I did stop by the gallery and picked up a copy of the first issue.....

this was after going to the store and buying a copy of B&W.

I love that gallery. would be nice to one day have a show there.

 

[DavidS]

You are a brave man to have a magazine about photography without almost no technical knowledge....
I'd reccomend you acquire at least the Phtography by Upton book, and a few others... and read read read
Get yourself a cheap 35mm rangefinder, some darkroom equipment, shoot, develop, print, then you'll be more qualified

So this will help me how again? The only articles I write are interviews with photographers...who I assume know what film and technical knowledge they have. The only knowledge I'm required to have is how to run a business and do sales calls. I have editors and writers who have knowledge of everything else. Again, I'm not here to talk about my magazine, I'm here to talk about B&W film. I've got to admit, this is the cheapest form of advertising there is. I post one question and there are a billion responses about my magazine. This would explain why I've received almost 15 new subscriptions this week before my 2nd issue even hits newsstands.

Anyway, Inked isn't a magazine about photography and how to take pictures. Inked is a magazine that discsuesses the latest news and trends in black and white photography, we never discuss "techinical stuff." Too many other magazines out there for that, no way in the world I could compete with them.

 

[DavidS]

I may be wrong but my limited understanding is that "Inked" is a magazine devoted creative monochrome photography and digital imaging aimed mainly at collecting and appreciation.
You don't have to be an accomplished painter to appreciate and comment on fine art. You don't have to be a Chef to review restaurants. If inkedmagazine is indeed interested in developing his personal knowledge of the creation part of traditional photography in order to gain a more full understanding of the process involved... Great. If he had some other motive in asking the question... well, I've been interested in the responses by APUGers anyway.

Honestly, I only had the intention to learn and educate myself. There are two hobbies I'm taking up this summer: Learning how to make whole wheat pasta from scratch and learning how to take and develop traditional black and white pictures. Maybe by the time September rolls around, I'll have a black and white picture of my famous whole wheat pasta...either that, or the remnants of my kitchen.

 

[DavidS]

I agree with Flotsam's post above, but a question for the editor--

Out of curiosity, why did you decide to start a magazine about B&W photography? Do you collect photographs or spend a lot of time in galleries?

Before I started the magazine, I did about a year and a half of market research. That included emersing myself in fine art photography galleries. I showed up at many openings at Throckmorton, Yancey Richardson Gallery, SoHo Photo, etc. The wonderful thing about living in Brooklyn is that I'm one subway stop from Manhattan (3 minutes) and all of the galleries are a few blocks from a subway station...so it's quite easy being able to learn about the market. When I was studying black and white photography, I came upon something that was quite startling: It's making a really big comeback.. a lot of companies are vying to reach collectors and creators of black and white photography. There weren't too many other magazines covering the market, and the ones that were seemed to be lacking. So that's how I got started!

 

[David H. Bebbington]

My 2 cents worth: I have the impression that inked magazine is an attempt to celebrate striking b+w photography, with the emphasis on visual impact rather than technical matters. As far as I am aware, to attempt to do this is not against the law, it is praiseworthy, even if the magazine's view is not coincident with that of many APUGers. I come from a professional photography background, the credo there is to get an effective image, how you do it is immaterial!

TECHNICAL POINT: Could not get the link to work which should have allowed a download of a sample PDF file. Also could not get the subscription button to work.

I would say to APUGers: If you feel the above objectives are worthwhile, at least lend moral support. Moreover, a subscription costs all of $16 - this is really not a lot!

To answer the question which is the nominal subject of this thread - I personally use Ilford HP5+ in all sizes from 35 mm to 8x10". I develop it in ID11 1+1. I have been told that other types of film and developer are also available

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Get yourself a cheap 35mm rangefinder, some darkroom equipment, shoot, develop, print, then you'll be more qualified

So this will help me how again? The only articles I write are interviews with photographers...who I assume know what film and technical knowledge they have. The only knowledge I'm required to have is how to run a business and do sales calls. I have editors and writers who have knowledge of everything else.

(snip)

There are two hobbies I'm taking up this summer: Learning how to make whole wheat pasta from scratch and learning how to take and develop traditional black and white pictures.

Do you have a split personality syndrome or the bullet from the gun in your left hand just doesn't know that it's meeting your right foot? If you want to learn how to take and develop traditional B&W picture, then I think you have had a sound advice from Titrisol. Get a good cheap camera, one or two books, some darkroom equipement, plenty of film and off you go.

 

[DavidS]

TECHNICAL POINT: Could not get the link to work which should have allowed a download of a sample PDF file. Also could not get the subscription button to work.

For the first issue, try www.inkedmagazine.com/other/spring05.pdf

For the second issue, try www.inkedmagazine.com/other/inkedaug05.pdf

Those links contain PDFs to all 96 pages per issue. Of course seeing it over the internet is nowhere near as good as holding it in your hands.

>Moreover, a subscription costs all of $16 - this is really not a lot!<

Actually, first off thank you for the kind words, secondly my subscription prices have risen to $24 a year due to me no longer publishing quarterly, instead I am publishing 6 times a year. This includes 1 Collector's Edition, 200+ page issue, which will be coming this November.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Actually, first off thank you for the kind words, secondly my subscription prices have risen to $24 a year due to me no longer publishing quarterly, instead I am publishing 6 times a year. This includes 1 Collector's Edition, 200+ page issue, which will be coming this November.

I've subscribed (maybe this alone will get me thrown out of APUG?), so look forward to seeing your mag.

Regards,

David

 

[Nicole]

as few if any high quality digital cameras offer a black and white option

I'm not interested in any magazine debates or digital rants, but just wanted to say that many digital cameras (even the cheaper consumer Point & Shoot digis) do have the option to shoot in B&W these days.

Anyway, back on topic... I love my B&W film and shoot with whatever the scene demands. TriX, Neopan, APX, Delta

 

[gnashings]

Wow, how much easier it would have been to post this question:

"I have limited technical knowledge of B&W photography, but want to learn more about it. What do you guys recommend as the best film to use in order to 'learn the ropes'?"

I've seen it many times, here and in other forums - usually followed by pages upon pages of good advice.

 

[Max Power]

FWIW my favourites:

D-400 in DD-X
D-100 in DD-X or Rodinal
FP4+ in Rodinal (MF)

I'm using APX 100 for the first time right now...I took on a 30m roll when my local photo shop was out of D-100. Souped in Rodinal it's not too bad, but for what I like, it lacks the punch of D-100.

Just my $0.02

Kent

 

[André E.C.]

Ilford FP4+ and Delta 100!
Ilford Delta 400 and HP5+!

Cheers

André

 

[fhovie]

I'm not interested in any magazine debates or digital rants, but just wanted to say that many digital cameras (even the cheaper consumer Point & Shoot digis) do have the option to shoot in B&W these days.

Anyway, back on topic... I love my B&W film and shoot with whatever the scene demands. TriX, Neopan, APX, Delta

Digital B&W is interesting - most ccds see color differently than B&W film and have a straighter sensitivity/response curve to different frequencies. Converted digital doesn't look much like B&W film. It actually resembles AZO a little - AZO paper has a very straight curve - then there is what the film recorded which has a toe and a shoulder and (depending on how it was developed) maybe highlight clamping or decreased toe through exposure control.

I have settled in with a few first choices on films:

For high contrast scenes - Tri-x - properly exposed and developed it can record 12 stops or more - it also can easliy be pushed to ASA6400 - at ASA1600 it has contrast for 5 or 6 stops - (Tech pan can do 14) (there is nothing else quite like it)

For low contrast scenes - FP4 - FP4 can take 5 stops and make spread them out over the paper with brilliant tonality. (Alternates include APX100 deceased? and J&C Classic)

For handheld I like TMAX 400. It has grain like APX100 and speed so I can get the DOF and shutter speed I need without a tripod. It works well in the staining developers I use. it also can easliy be pushed to ASA1600 - at ASA1600 it has contrast for 5 or 6 stops