This is what it’s all been leading up to. A print, there’s something unique about holding a print in your hand, looking down at the patterns of light and shadow being brought out in blacks, whites, and grays, it’s magic.
Well actually its science, the perfect blend of art and science. Creating the print is a rather neat process from start to end and when you sit down and think about the sheer amount of control you have over the whole process is fantastic. You get to pick the camera (and in some cases the lens), film stock. Then you can meter it the way you want. Then you can develop the film, choosing the chemistry, the time, the technique. Printing, again you pick the lens, settings, exposure time, paper, and again the chemistry, time, technique, then if you want to tone or not. There are just so many variables that in the end you can produce something that you’re proud of. This of course all came out of darkroom conversations between my associate, James and I, in the darkroom that we’ve rigged up in a bathroom. The enlarger sits in the shower, prints drying over the sink, trays sitting there as well.
The results, well I was pleased with the two prints I created, of course looking at them now I’ve found little things on how to improve them in the future, and will go back and revisit them at a later date. I already have a slowly growing list of new and previous negs that I want to print to add to my newest portfolio which I hope to have a selection of at least 10 to 15 prints by the time photostock rolls around in June.
Of course the scans don’t do the physical product justice.
“Tub For One”
Probably my most favourite shot from the entire trip to the Sidbrook Private Hospital, that tub is just so photogenic.
Details:
Film Stock: Kodak Tri-X 400 (ID-11)
Exposure: 10″ @ f/8
Chemistry: Kodak Dektol (1+2)
Developing Time: 1:00
Paper: Ilford MGIV RC – Satin
“A Lone Soldier”
I’ve always wanted to print this one since I first shot it back in 2011 at the Siege of Fort Meigs. Here’s Ewan, a member of the 1812 Reenactment unit, 7th Batallion 60th Regiment of Foot No. 6 Company enjoying a post lunch pipe on a traverse in Fort Meigs. This one will revisit sooner rather than later, Ewan needs some burning in.
Details:
Original Film Stock: Ilford HP5+ (Lab Developed)
Exposure: 40″ @ f/22
Chemistry: Kodak Dektol (1+2)
Developing Time: 1:00
Paper: Ilford MGIV RC – Satin