> Actually I envy your ability and space to do Siver Gelatin B&W
> prints. One
> of the significant short comings of an ink jet printer is that
> it won't do
> quality B&W prints. And also, I admire consistency (g) you
> are true to your
> grouchy self, a prerogative of age no doubt (g).
35 for a few more days yet.
The darkroom space is a cove in the basement that has a 2-meter
workbench. If I need to Dremel something I've got to set all
the chemical trays on a card table behind me. The two windows
in the basement are covered with sleeping bags to block out the
light (usually). There is a decent utility sink in the basement
about twenty paces away. Fortunately Ilford RC paper and
chemistry doesn't require much water. Washing the fixer off
takes about a minute under flowing water while brushing the
print with your hand. Soak it too long and the paper starts
seperating at the corners.
Right now, I'm using two enlargers, an Omega B66 and my Dad's
Federal 4x5. The Federal is a beast and the diffusion head is
about as bright as night during a new moon. Besides that, the
lens starts at F6.3. Of course, that lens is for 4x5 prints, so
it's worthless for 35mm. The enlarger is so old that I have to
almost ducttape the 50mm enlarger lens in place. But THAT lens
is a F2.8.
I just picked up a set of 8x10 trays as the big trays are a bit
much if I'm not working on 11x14s. Takes two liters of
chemicals to use each of the larger trays. Mixed chemical
storage is in 2-liter Coke Cola bottles hiding in a darkened
room. Burp the air out and they are perfect, stable storage.
Cost: 5 cents each (Iowa bottle deposit). Basement temperature
stays a constant 72 degrees (F) nearly the entire year.
I did "enhance" the darkroom experience lately when I installed
a stereo system down there. MUCH better.
Most importantly, I am starting to introduce my girls (ages 4
and 3) to photography and the darkroom is an incredible
experience. The joy of seeing their faces light up when a
picture of them emerges from this blank piece of paper is
incredible. Frankly, I could care less about "Fine Art"
photography if it means that the girls develop an interest.
I'll print family pictures and "shadow prints" until bedtime if
I have to. (hence, two enlargers)
It just isn't the same with computers, scanners and ink-jet
printers as this is too "normal" for them and the process just
seems too input-process-output for artistic expression. The
"magic" of the darkroom is something that absolutely cannot be
substituted with "modern technology". Not even color printing
with the drum comes close to B&W tray processing.
Yes, I love the darkroom. My introduction with it was when I
was barely a toddler and I have never "moved beyond" it. I can
understand why Ansel Adams settled in on B&W fine art
photography and never really took an interest in anything else.
B&W isn't a pathway to Color, it's a photographic category all
in itself. There is a romance to B&W photography and B&W is a
very jealous lover.
AG-Schnozz
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