Film development backlog

i'm not saying that Winnogrand's technique works for me, merely that one might reframe a negative situation into a possible positive. i agree with chris (canonetc) that everyone should be encouraged to figure out, for themselves, what works for them as a means of improvement.


I know that i usually prefer to have feedback within two weeks or so, though often, continuous shooting is enough to improve my framing and eye. when i travel, i never develop until i get home, which is sometimes 2-3 months and lots of rolls, and i've not had too many major problems perpetuate themselves through the entire set of pictures...
 
[B]warning...off topic post to follow[/B]

warning...off topic post to follow

canonetc said:
by the way, TOATQ means "TO Answer The Question". Sorry for any confusion!
you know, i just got the hang of lol and rotflmao...

what is YMMV (i think that's it) ?
 
cp_ste-croix said:
you know, i just got the hang of lol and rotflmao...

what is YMMV (i think that's it) ?

YMMV = Your mileage may vary.

I don't want to think about my backlog. I have about seventy rolls that I have to develop, mostly because I have moved twice in the past two years. That reminds me, I have to buy some new reels because I haven't been able to find mine. *sigh*
 
I keep shooting as normal and throw the backlog in the fridge (don't tell my wife), I eventually catch up for one reason or other when I can't get out to shoot.
 
rover said:
Are you on commission? ;)

I have 3 right now, and will have another 3 or 4 after this weekend. Good new is that only one can't swim in Diafine. So yes, I will catch up quickly when I have just a little time.


I need to check with somebody about that. :D

I know I sound like a Diafine pimp, but coming back to it many years ago after a long time whoring around with every developer under the sun made me realize just how good it was. Diafine gives me absolute consistency (something VERY hard to do with most other developers) with minimal effort. It does a wonderful job on the films *I* like to shoot. I'd rather be shooting than developing and I don't know of ANY other developer that is faster to set up and use.

What more can you ask?

Will it do everything? No. But then, nothing will.

Will it do all *I* need it to do? Yes. And that's good enough.

Tom

PS: I was pretty amazed when I first logged on here that more people didn't use Diafine. That is, considering the number of street shooters drawn to rangefinders. It suits street shooters right down to the ground.
 
as mentioned, Winogrand backlogged his film with a purpose .... he most certainly didn't switch to C41 !

And if gardening gets in the way just make a choice, have your geraniums underdevelop or build up your backlog ... who needs geraniums anyway !

I shoot at least one film on a daily base, sometimes 3 or 4 I always develop them directly, now how much time does this cost me ? .... developing, pre-washing, fix and stop, not even 20 minutes .... getting the film on the frigging spools, up to 2 hours .... (just kidding) ... It's just what you want to do, and it's all up to yourself, thats the good thing about it ....

It's called a hobby (for most) no pressure.....

My girlfriend/partner used to moan about the time I spent on photography ... this was really a bitch ....

I found out what she likes to see, and shoot 20% of my shots on her subjects.... she loves it... I do baby shots (hmpfffff) I photograph her girlfriends in funny positions, she loves that too... and it's just a little effort, but will give you a permanent pass to your darkroom .....
 
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My reasons for a backlog...
1. it's just too often disappointing when you rush home to process those shots you think are going to be so great. Better to wait a few months, grab a few rolls at random and be surprised by something unexpected.
2. Developing film is just about the most boring thing in the world. Watch clock/ tilt can/ repeat.
 
... Developing film is just about the most boring thing in the world. Watch clock/ tilt can/ repeat

... try turning it into an art ... !
 
Oh, the art is in turning the tank? All these years I was thinking it had sometining to do seeing and pointing the damn camera. Maybe that's why my pictures are disappointing. Thanks for the help, Jarvis.

By the way, I loved Saltzburg.
 
canonetc said:
...
Makes me wonder what Winogrand had on those 1000 rolls...chris
canonetc

I checked the book here is what Szarkowski says about Winogrand's backlog (I paraphrase): at the time of his death (1984)...more than 2500 rolls of exposed/undeveolped film...6500 rolls developed but not proofed...3000 contact sheets (apparently unedited [not marked])...he developed 8,522 rolls while in L.A. and made more than a million exposures during that time that he never looked at. :eek:
 
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