California Poppies

I’m a bit behind on the BW project, but all because of working on the scanning software and getting it to process black and white.  I have a Pakon scanner, which is fab for 35mm film.  I spent a couple of days ironing out and learning the software, as well as applying patches which allow more than color negative and C-41 black and white film.

This is the first image I have gotten back from the developer doing something I have never done before – pushing film.  Mark at If Time Stood Still made a wonderful picture of his youngest daughter, specifically the image called The Lunch Date.  He shot Ilford HP5+ and pushed it.

Using his instructions, I did the same.  The result is really pleasant, and seems to push contrast to level I like.  Since I prefer shorter scaled B&W to longer scale in general, this is a good technique to know.

Mark processes his own film B&W, as well as color, and scans his film, too.  (Altogether, I think he is an amazing photographer, especially of his family.)  Go visit his site!

So, more to follow!

California Poppies

There is a poppy coming up in the front garden!  With rain, even more will begin to show up in the hills and fields, along with lupines and other wildflowers.  The quintessential California wildflower – delicate, lovely, bright.

I did this as a quick sketch this morning to test out a package of 5o pre-cut 6×9 cotton papers from Bee.  So far, the paper is pretty nice.