Printing Guide

[brofkand]

Hey all,

As I mentioned in another post, I am beginning a darkroom. This is for my photo major at school.

I am looking for a good guide to printing in the darkroom. I can already process the negatives (I'll be doing 35mm until I get an 80mm lens for my enlarger), so I would just like a guide that says do this, then this, then this, then this (which aperture to set the lens on, etc). Dunk in this, rinse, etc. If anyone could help me out, I would much appreciate it!

Tyler

[Beast]

Kodak: Teaching Basic Darkroom Techniques (http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/education/lessonPlans/darkroom/fullCourse.shtml)
It's a start..

But, this book (http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Darkroom-Dataguide-Publication/dp/0879856025) goes into MUCH greater detail. Seriously, just order it and you will be glad you did.

[brofkand]

Thanks! That appears to be what I need. Everything is coming in tomorrow (ordered from Freestyle; I already had an enlarger and trays, just needed chemicals and a safelight). Is it bad that I've considered calling in to work so I can go shoot a few rolls of film and develop them so I can break in my equipment?

Tyler

[Beast]

AND...

Remember to someday try your hand at lith printing. It can be frustrating as hell, and no two prints will ever be the same, but the results can be beaaautiful.

For examples of lith printing, do a search on Anton Corbijn and uhm, lith printing and check out his photos of U2, Depeche Mode, etc.

[brofkand]

I have seen some lith printing results, and it does look cool. The contrast you get almost looks like a mistake. I will definitely have to try it.

[Beast]

Yeah... when done right tho it's still contrasty but not splotchy.. I saw some lith examples in JPG magazine recently and they were absolute crap.

When I did some in college, it took me about 30-40min for EACH print... that's just time under the enlarger and time in chemistry.

[brofkand]

I did it tonight. It was amazingly fun. Once the prints dry I'll scan them and post the results. Let's just say you'll be able to guess my first, second, and third print without too much trouble :-)

[Beast]

It's cool that it makes you so happy. Some people just don't get it, or understand why or how someone would pursue a degree (and career) in art or anything creative. It's certainly not as easy to lay down in financial terms as in going to work at a desk for a big company, but for those of us who are passionate about it, it's so rewarding. Satisfy your soul and artist inside you. Money can't buy that, but money will come.

Do what you love and don't ever let anyone hold you back or try to convince you that you should be doing anything else.

...and have a camera with you at ALL times. Backpack. Car. BE the guy at parties that has a camera. It'll make you a better photographer and you'll never regret missing the moment you didn't capture.

[brofkand]

I absolutely get it. Our culture is so money-hungry nowadays. Go to college to get a good job to get rich.

Parents tell their kids, you can be anything you want to be when you grow up. But, when those kids grow up and say, "I want to be a painter!" The parents say, "OK honey, we'll go ahead and register you for Harvard Law. Paint still life of courtrooms."

I keep a $1 camera in my car at all times. I've gotten the most amazing shots with it. I can't wait until the roll is finished and I develop it. The really interesting thing is it's color print film and I'll be developing in B&W. Unless a chemical fire ensues, I'm sure I will get some pretty cool results from that.