Tag: Ilford

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!

Developing My First Roll of Film at Home!

This adventure began this summer, and only now did I finally get around to developing my first roll of black and white film (Ilford HP5, 400 iso) at home. I was tooooooo scared!

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On the dining room table, on a towel and metal tray, the chemicals and such were laid out. I practiced loading the reel and placing it in the developing tank multiple times. I have a developing bag that I bought, and it, as you may know, replaces the need for a dark room. I found that if I closed my eyes and focused on touch, things were much easier. Of course, when a dog barks suddenly, it does get a little stressful.

The directions I followed were from Peter at prosophos.com, and while my water out of the tap was a little warmer, I am hoping that there is a bit of latitude when it comes to temperature and time.  My husband also helped out, sort of supervising the “now do this!  now do that!” part of it – the first time doing anything is a challenge, no matter how many times you rehearse, eh?

So, now, I have film hanging in the shower stall, drip drying until later this afternoon or early evening, which is when I will scan it to see what I got.

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What excitement to pull out the developed roll! I can see that I got photos – there is contrast, so that means something worked right . . . on this roll, I used the Werra along with green, yellow, and orange filters to see how they affect contrast. Feeling the film, it is not tacky, which means the chemicals were good, too.

So, I leave you with this hint below . . . and will show you the results after I scan them. Stay tuned!

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