developing film backlog

Today I chugged through making 41 contact sheets of the neg sleeves of that film I developed. I was feeling pretty good about myself until I checked another negative binder and found 78 sleeved neg pages that still need to be contact printed. This represents much of last year's shooting. I'll have to work on them before summer holiday ends!
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
I think I'm pretty much as backlogged as you are, Frank. I still have a few 120-film rolls from 2005, lots of 2006 and, needless to say, virtually all 2007 B&W rolls.

I find it fitting you took a digital shot of that. A film shot of it would have been highly ironic.

Edit: eek, I think I over-did it. I have 32 rolls. 🙁
Click to expand...

I don't feel so bad when that I see that others have a multi-year backlog. Myself, I have a dozen rolls of B&W from a trip to Scotland that have been lingering in my darkroom since 2005. Even though I shot a ton of Velvia on this trip, my procrastination is inexcusable -- it's SCOTLAND for crying out loud!

Now that I am done flogging myself with my camera strap, I'm outta here -- it's off to the darkroom for a long overdue developing session. Thanks for the prod in the backside!
 
This brings up an interesting point. Do we shoot for the images or do we get pleasure just out of the act of shooting? I would think if we were shooting for the images we would be anxious to process the film as soon as posible. I will admit that shooting is more fun than developing and my laziness has me shooting C-41 B&W. But what is the sense of shooting if we don't she what we have done? I say this with a film in the basement waiting to be processed for way too long. Just an interesting thought that I think may give a clue as to the psychology of photographers. On the other hand it may the ramblings of a tired brain at 1:30 in the morning!
 

Attachments

  • mix_01.jpg
    mix_01.jpg
    125.2 KB · Views: 0
  • Neopan400__05_RFF.jpg
    Neopan400__05_RFF.jpg
    115.9 KB · Views: 0
My backlog reached 50 rolls over the weekend- but 6 of these are stuff I shot at a rally on Saturday. I shoot for all sorts of reasons- and I do enjoy the darkroom end of things- but sometimes I end up slacking. Like now. Two different clients sent me film over the weekend, so their stuff will have to get processed long before my own. On top of this, I'm going away again this weekend- and I will end up shooting more film. So my own stuff will likely hit 75 rolls before I get to it next week.
 
Timefreeze (if that is your real name😉), I find enjoyment in both the act of shooting, and in the images. During shooting, I zone out, zen state, focus on the moment/forget about all else, and it's very relaxing.

I tackled those other neg sleeves: 36 2 days ago, and 42 this afternoon. I"m getting quite fast/efficient at it. The radio is on my fav classic rock station.

Now I have a wealth of material to select from and print up.
 
I have conquored my backlog!
41 films developed
41 contact sheets made
78 sleeved neg pages found
36 contact printed
42 contact printed

This is what my darkroom looks like right now after finishing the final 42 contact prints of sleeved negs today.
 

Attachments

  • Madison 039 (Medium).jpg
    Madison 039 (Medium).jpg
    84.4 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
FrankS said:
I have conquored my backlog!
41 films developed
41 contact sheets made
78 sleeved neg pages found
36 contact printed
42 contact printed

This is what my darkroom looks like right now after finishing the final 42 contact prints of sleeved negs today.
Click to expand...

Why are we not allowed to see the prints? Adult content? 😛
 
FrankS said:
Hardly Remy! Kids, dog, funeral, old barns, etc. For sure I'll share once I get to that stage.
Click to expand...

You have one nifty dark room, Frank. Looks like a genius' workplace (my wife would call it messy, but I know better 🙂 ). I wish mine was progressing. I can't get the door light tight.
 
Thanks Remy! I used a rubber strip that I got at Canadain Tire (a hardware/automotive store, aka crappy tire) that is used for garage door bottoms as weather stripping.
 
FrankS said:
Thanks Remy! I used a rubber strip that I got at Canadain Tire (a hardware/automotive store, aka crappy tire) that is used for garage door bottoms as weather stripping.
Click to expand...

Ah, that's an idea! I've been looking at these anti draft strips that go between door and post, but after sticking them on I was no longer able to close the door. 😛
 
Timefreeze. I believe I fall in the category of can't wait to see the results. Because of that, I rarely have a backlog of undeveloped film. For example, I shot 4 rolls last Sunday, developed on Monday and made contact prints, then printed on Tuesday, but I could have done the printing on Monday, just got lazy.

Frank: Your darkroom is amazing and looks cluttered, as someone said, but it's probably not, especially if everything in there has a purpose.

My darkroom looks spartan in comparison, but then it's probably because tasks such as drying on screens or blotters, looking at negs on a light table, trimming prints on a cutting boards, storing negs and prints, etc., are all done in another room.

Tomorrow I'll take a pic of my DR and post it.

Ted
 
Holy smokes, that's crazy. I go nuts if I'm backlogged more than 3 or 4 rolls.

FrankS said:
The radio is on my fav classic rock station.
Click to expand...

That reminds me... I need to look for a pair of speakers for my darkroom. Talking to myself just doesn't cut it anymore.

That's a very sweet looking darkroom, Frank!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom