Do you remember how apprehensive/nervous you were when you developed your first film?

Well, sure I remember when I developed my first film - or came bck to it after a 30-year hiatus. It was, like 7-8 weeks ago. I am not set up yet for printing, but I printed far more than I ran film, lo those many years ago, when I could hand a roll to the photogs at the newspaper where I worked and get them to run it in a batch with their film. And boy, it was a kick to dodge and burn and shift and turn and get a print just right ...
 
FrankS said:
No, this is helpful for me to understand why I prefer using film: for me, it is not just about the final image, it is also about the process and the tools. An example is the rush of pulling the wet film off a processing reel and seeing the neg images for the first time, and a sense of accomplishment in having followed the developing steps properly. This is just >for me<. I'm not saying others should feel the same.

Another example in my life which is similarly about geting enjoyment from the process is motorcycling. It feels better to me knowing that I've wrenched on my bike myself. It is running the way it is because of direct hands-on input from me. Balancing the carbs, setting the valve clearances, etc. A car that is serviced at the dealership would get me to the same place, in greater comfort even, but getting there would not be as rewarding >for me<. The final destination is the same, but the process is also important to me.

Just a bit of self-examination and self-learning on my part. Carry on.
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and for me, i don't need that experience any more. for me, the final image is what excites me. it is a 'maturity' of sorts and that's not a bash for those still looking for excitiment in the process...only a change for me.
right now, i like that the 50/1.1 is giving me something new in my images but i don't need the film dev/printing part any longer.
so inserting an sd card into my rd1 is fine...i don't miss the feel of film.
 
I was nervous like hell... After more than 20 years, when I know I am processing an image that's special to me or impossible to get again, I get nervous like hell again... And even without any particular image I get nervous every time... Masochism?

Cheers,

Juan.
 
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I have no idea whether I was apprehensive, nervous or whatever. I developed my first roll in High School and that was too long ago to think about. Like Paul, I do remember how elated I was 2 years ago when I developed my first roll after a long time away from anything other than snap shots with C41. Film development isn't a chore and I can barely wait to look at a new film against the light when its hanging to dry. Wet printing is just the iceing on the cake.
 
Wedding photogs must have had nerves of steel back when it was all film and someone else in a lab could potentially ruin your gig.

I shot a small gallery opening for a friend for free with my Ikon and Fuji Pro 800z ... I made the decision to develop the five or so rolls of film myself and used a fresh C41 kit but it did make me very nervous. Each roll developed gave me a huge sense of relief when it came out of the tank OK!
 
For those of us who do photography as a hobby, it makes sense to find the path that gives the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. One person's path is no better or worse than another person's path if it fulfills its purpose.

I know a few people who think I'm touched for riding a motorcycle when a car is much safer and more comfortable, and a few people who think the same of me for shooting film when digital is cheaper and more convenient.
 
FrankS said:
For those of us who do photography as a hobby, it makes sense to find the path that gives the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. One person's path is no better or worse than another person's path if it fulfills its purpose.

I know a few people who think I'm touched for riding a motorcycle when a car is much safer and more comfortable, and a few people who think the same of me for shooting film when digital is cheaper and more convenient.
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And then there was agreeing to be a mod here ... we do wonder Frank! 😀
 
FrankS said:
For those of us who do photography as a hobby, it makes sense to find the path that gives the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. One person's path is no better or worse than another person's path if it fulfills its purpose.

I know a few people who think I'm touched for riding a motorcycle when a car is much safer and more comfortable, and a few people who think the same of me for shooting film when digital is cheaper and more convenient.
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This is exactly why I shoot film.

My brother in law rides a vintage bike, but he's bewildered by my use of film. He can't see that its pretty much the same thing
 
Keith said:
Wedding photogs must have had nerves of steel back when it was all film and someone else in a lab could potentially ruin your gig.

I shot a small gallery opening for a friend for free with my Ikon and Fuji Pro 800z ... I made the decision to develop the five or so rolls of film myself and used a fresh C41 kit but it did make me very nervous. Each roll developed gave me a huge sense of relief when it came out of the tank OK!
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Great you did it! Color film can be so beautiful...!

Cheers,

Juan
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
Great you did it! Color film can be so beautiful...!

Cheers,

Juan
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That Fuji Pro is wonderful film Juan ... I must get some more next time I get something from Freestyle.

I've just checked ... they don't have it any more ... and they list 800 Portra at eleven dollars per roll! 😱
 
Keith said:
Yes sadly ... and the shortcomings of scanning then printing digitally on my R2400 are starting to concern me.

I have the room to set up a darkroom but because I rent I'm reluctant!
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I remember it very well....I was so excited I ran into the bedroom and woke my GF to show her..... that did not go over so well.

As to the darkroom...

Hmmmm...I have the room and all of the equipement. I even bought a used 72" sink and 3 enlargers 🙂

I also have an R2400 but I am not that frutrated; YET, but I can see the day I will be.
 
No. Since it was about 1953 I really don't remember the first roll. However, after shooting nothing but 35mm color prints and slides (commercially processed) for decades, I got a 120 folder a couple years ago and decided a B&W test roll was in order. Was I apprehensive/nervous? Sorry, no. I knew exactly what was going to happen. Anyway, it was just a test roll.
 
yeah...i remember it was just after chinese new year 2010 somewhere end Jan. I was telling myself to take it slow and pick development up in mid or end 2010. But I was totally not satisfied with the prints I got from the labs. I started reading up on development, especially P.Lynn's article on Stand Development.

My first roll was XP-2 souped in Rodinal. It was too underdeveloped. But it worked...and I was hooked. Well I also discovered that dust likes to stick on wet film...

The hardest part was getting the film into the reel and I kept obsessing over temperature, time etc. Now I just tell myself it isn't an exact science, the key thing is to be consistent.

Now at Roll #170, I am experimenting with all the films and developers I have never tried before.
 

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I can remember my first self developed roll very well. I had exposed two rolls with a Rolleicord I still have. I managed to screw up loading the first roll into the reel as I lost the feeling in the dark which part was film and which was the backing paper. I decided to switch on the lights to find out. The second roll was much better although I agitated much too vigorously and my negs came out grainy and contrasty. I didn't have anyone to show me how to do it properly. Afterwards I felt immensely proud of myself.
 
Keith said:
And what a rush it was when you first saw those negatives as you anxiously took them out of the tank and carefully hung them to dry?

My very first film was HP5+ in D-76 well over two years ago now ... but I'll never forget that feeling ... and amazingly every roll I develop still gives me a bit of that initial high!

🙂 🙂 🙂
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Yep...it's still magic. I can get lost in a darkroom for hours.....great isn't it!!!😀

Best,

Bob
 
Keith...

I don't remember how I felt the first time developing film...most likely excited just to be able to actually do it...
That was 1975 and it was either a roll of 110 or 126...B&W of course!!!
I do know how I feel today after what might be a few thousand rolls under my belt...
I feel like a kid at Christmas...excited, happy, just can't wait to see what's waiting for me on those reels...sometimes I forget what's on the rolls or they're rolls that have been misplaced for a bit and then I get to see images that I thought were lost...
I get just as excited printing...

Now on another weird thought I don't like watching a movie where someone is working in a darkroom...they never seem to be doing it right...that bothers me ...

I do remember developing my first roll of E-6 slide film...that was also in high school (about 1978) now that was a bit nerve racking...but it turned out well...
 
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