So I've nothing to report, really. Well, ok, I've been reading books and thinking, so suppose that's not nothing. Wasn't it that Aristotle dude who commented that the beauty of thinking is that it can be done without moving? Someone like that once said something like that, I'm sure. Anyway, I mentioned the Andrew Sanderson book the other day. It was part of a job lot I acquired through a FADU friend. The other books were the Kodak Book of Large Format Photography and a Bruce Barnbaum book, "The Art of Photography". The latter is a big book (340-odd pages) and Mr Barnbaum, like Mr Sanderson, knows his onions. Oh yes. There are quite a few images which made me wonder why I even bother lifting a camera to my eye let alone try to get something out of it onto paper.
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| Another oldie you may have seen before, although this time it's prnted on Kentmere paper, via WT-10 developer, with a sepia wash. Prague, 1938, courtesy of The Uncle. Not bad for a near 80-year-old neg. |
One chapter of Barnbaum's book has particular relevance to my current debate with myself vis-a-vis the search for the perfect negative. Chapter 13 (it would be - the number 13 has always been big in my life) is titled 'Exploding Photographic Myths' and is, my friends, a worthwhile read should you ever come across this book in your local lending library. Mr Barnbaum takes on issues relating to composition, light, exposure, developing, contact sheets and a bit more. Loosely, his views can be summed up as 'Ignore the rules' while at the same time he gives simple, no-nonsense, practical advice about what should be done. Perfect.
I'm really sorry to read about your laid-up condition and bad leg, Michael. I hope your visit to the dr. will put some light on the damages done, and how it's supposed to get healed.
ReplyDeleteGood thing to hear you still got a clear mind and are able to do some good reading and thinking, though. I'm looking forward to see the results of the reading of them photography books, I must say.
On your printing: Which method do you use? The one we used to use back in the days, or the perhaps more intuitive one using f/stops?
The reason I'm asking is that I started to write a long blogpost a while ago, which I never finished. I don't even know what the norm is these days, as I'm not a regular visitor on any of the FADU or similar forums. I think I have at least two or three accounts spread around, but I've never really dived into it.
Thanks Roy. Well, the doc says there is nothing worrying going on, except for the inflammation of the veins. No clots appearing, which was my primary concern. I have pretty terrible veins in the legs - have done for years. I think it's due to the fact that since I was a teenager it really hurt to sit, on account of the spondylitis attacking my hips. So I stood - all the time. Still do. Hence the vein trouble, I reckon. Anyway, I can get them removed, but that's a full-on operation thing. I'm not really excited by that thought - been through too many of those already - but it looks like that's the only solution. In the meantime, I have to rest. And more ice. Could take weeks. Nooooo!!!!
DeleteAh...the f-stop thing. Yes I have to admit I do it that way. It helps that I have an enlarger timer that does the hard work for me, i.e., counting in f-stops and part f-stops. But it's not rocket science - it's only numbers. Actually I don't think it really matters that much - the theory is nice and once you get used to it then sure, it works. But so does the other, linear counting way. I do find though that getting into the darkroom and printing a couple of times a week helps just make the whole thing a lot easier. Looking at a straight print I find myself thinking, well I'll just give it another 3 clicks on the timer and that should do it - and I'm usually there or thereabouts. Like anything, I guess - knowing your equipment and lots of practice helps.
Oh, so you got one of them fine things to help you out? That sounds great, to be honest.
DeleteI was fumbling around blindly at some point back in time when I first realized this way to do it, and ended up building a big chart of times on a spreadsheet containing quite a few formulas to make everything right. At least I learned how the thought behind it worked, if nothing else.
Crossing fingers for your legs over here!
Oh, and the print looks wonderful by the way. Not at all bad for such an old negative.
ReplyDeleteA very good reason to still do darkroom wet printing!
I must admit I'm a bit addicted to sticking these prints on the wall for a while. The sky is lost on this one (never was there on the neg in the first place as far as I can see) but there's enough going on in the rest of it.
DeleteOn more thought on the printing stuff. I'm a bit of an addict on the split-grade approach. Sure it takes an extra bit of time, but the end result seems better to my eyes.
Nice to hear you're still refining your split-grade printing. I like the outcome when I get it right, but I can't say to have kind of fallen into the workflow quite yet. I hope to be able to make a lot more use of the darkroom the next time I'm at home than I've been able to lately. You sure have read enough about the bathroom issue to understand what the deal is all about...
DeleteDagnabbit, stop it with the book recommendations! Now I have to buy this one, too. I'm out of shelf space!!
ReplyDeleteYour family can't catch a health break. My prayer is that you all hit smooth sailing soon.
Haha! The Barnbaum is bigger than the Sanderson one, Jim. And it has a big focus on darkroom techniques. Just so you know!
DeleteAnd thanks (again!). Maybe I should change the blog to health-related issues :)
Ooooooo, and Birnbaum's book is out in second edtion in April!!
ReplyDeleteAh..interesting. Perhaps the new edition might be worth holding out for - more on scanning/less darkroom (?)
DeleteThe edition I have is almost all B&W work too, btw.
DeleteDoes it contain an ISBN number, your fine book? Can't find it stocked back home, but they might be able to get hold of it.
DeleteRoy the ISBN of the copy I have is 978-1-933952-68-0. This is 1st edition (5th updated reprint, Oct 2012). Rockynook is the publisher.
DeleteI was just watching a programme about a place you know well: Orkney, Kirkwall Museum, the Sea-Eagle tombs and the history of the area. Pretty interesting! They were building a boat, using ancient methods (cow-skin, made waterproof by animal fat), in order to cross Pentland Firth. They made it too, steering clear of the Skelpie :) It looked a pretty treacherous stretch of water, even on a good day...
Thanks for the update on the ISBN, Michael. I'll see if I can get hold of it somehow, but if not, well there's always going to be another trip over to old UK some time in the quite near future. I'll find it somewhere.
DeleteThere sure are a nice bit of history up there in Orkney, and a few bits of treacherous stretches of water as well. It's not on my top list of places to use a kayak or something like that. The Pentland Firth is deadly even on the best of days. I don't like that place at all, to be honest.