Yet Another Newbie(tm)

[kavandje]

...this time in Africa.

I live in Windhoek, Namibia, and recently re-immersed myself in proper photography. I have what people call a 'hybrid' workflow (I scan my negatives), and shoot 35mm and 120, with cameras ranging from vintage to modern. My current favourite weapons are a Leica MP, a Yashicamat 124, a beater Canon A-1 and an old Agfa Isolette.

I'm giving serious thought to expanding into 4x5 in the near future; the landscapes around these parts are just too good to miss, and I'm definitely interested in making my own chemicals for the simple and pragmatic reason that it is literally impossible to get chemicals in Windhoek.

So yeah: any questions, ask away!

 

[arigram]

Hey there!
I find it a pleasure to welcome to APUG people from interesting places of the world and ones that have a story to tell!
I took a quick peek at your photos in flickr and you see to have some good material there, definitely worth spending
more time to investigate.
Since you are open to questions, I would like to know how is the film situation there.
You mention that is impossible to get chemicals. So do you shoot C-41 films? Have BW processed in a lab?
How about the types of film one can buy, paper?

And of course any story about you and the country you want to share with us!
I would be most interested to meeting you.

 

[Peter Schrager]

welcome!!

Wow-Namibia-we are really moving up in the world...film rules and always will!!
Best, Peter

 

[kavandje]

Heh.

Part of the reason why I went back to film -- from being a perfectly sensible digital photographer -- is because I am an ornery freak who doesn't have much time for convention.

The film and paper situation is definitely tough going. I get virtually all of my film from Monochrom.de (who have improbably patient staff and excellent service), shipped to friends or family in Germany, who then curse me for making them cram yet more stuff into their luggage. Paper isn't relevant to me in the absence of an enlarger; if I need decent quality prints I send high quality TIFs to a lab in Walvis Bay, which is ~400 km away, and so definitely an 'as I need it' enterprise.
I process my film in my darkened bathrooom using whatever I can get; I have to say my favourite film/developer combination right now has got to be Rollei Retro/Rodinal.

If you're travelling to Namibia, bring film. If you're shooting b&w any time other than morning or evening, bring a deep yellow or deep red filter at least; the light throughout the day is harsh, rock-hard and overpowering. But overall, it's lovely.

Thanks for the flickr compliments btw!

 

[kavandje]

& Peter: Thanks for the welcome!

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome from Indiana in the USA!

 

[winger]

Welcome from western Pennsylvania, USA.

 

[Uhner]

Welcome to Apug.

The little I know about Windhoek, and its surroundings, interests me and I would love to see some of your photos.

 

[kavandje]

Well, there's a Windhoek group on Flickr, of which I'm a member, and my own flickr pages are linked from my profile, so browse away!

 

[Dave Miller]

Welcome from England, enjoy the forum.

 

[Silverhead]

Welcome from Hollyweird, USA...the freak show that never ends...and we wouldn't have it any other way...

 

[papagene]

Welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts USA.

gene

 

[arigram]

And I thought I had trouble getting materials.
Freaks, I love them.
Welcome the club!

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Welcome to the group. Good to have ya.

 

[keithwms]

I am an ornery freak who doesn't have much time for convention.

You'll fit right in. Welcome.

There are other ornery freaks here who can make developer out of horse urine and such (n.b. aardvark urine is probably fine). And those ostrich eggs might be just the thing for albumen prints.