Dan
I'm with Steve on this subject...
I have just had something of a refresher in B&W processing and
developing. It took 3 hours. Using a film developing tank is easy
(once you have the film on the reel and inside the tank), using 2
chemicals (dev & fixer) and 11 minutes at 20 deg C. I was developing
and printing 6x4.5 for the first time, but with FP4 exposed normally
it proved to be quite similar to 35mm (of course).
If you have the space, printing is easy too.. provided you are happy
to read instructions, develop the print for 2 minutes (not until it
"looks" right as I have always done!) and wash it well. The exposure
comes with a little trial and error with test strips of paper. This
might sound glib, but it really can't be simpler. My tutor refuses
to countenance fiddling with parts of a print (dodging and burning)
because he insists on having the correct exposure the first time -
but then he is in a studio most of the time where there is more
control than next to a lonely tree on a windswept moor ;-). Finally,
if you have the right amount of space, using a darkroom is easier
than if you have converted a bathroom. I used the shower room in our
Annex and I was on my knees most of the time!
Good luck.
Chris
At 11:40 +0100 29/9/01, Steve Gullick wrote:
Hi Dan,
Personally, I see no point in shooting in B&W unless you process and print
yourself. For a pro lab it is a very labour intensive process these days.
B&W is seen very much (rightly or wrongly) as an art medium these days. I do
an awful lot of it, but out of a 36 exp roll, I might only print 5 or 6
frames and these will almost always be subjected to a lot of darkroom
manipulation.
For me, B&W is the creative and 'fun' side of photography.
--
<|_:-)_|>
C M I Barker
Cambridgeshire, England.
+44 (0)7092 251126
mailto:imagopus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
... a nascent photo library.
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