Finally I am where I want to be

cosmonaut

cosmonaut

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Nov 29, 2006
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After getting a darkroom up and going I am finally getting where I want to be. No more crappy flatbed scans. I actually think I have reached a point where I am shooting more film than digital and having more fun.
I have my 23II enlarger mounted on a roll around cart with the timer just below it. I can roll it out and be set up in almost less time than I can uplaod a card full of digital files.
I have to ask myself "why didn't I do this sooner"? The same thing I said when I started developing. So, if you are thinking darkroom, do it. Don't wait. You can get full setups on Craigslist for less than a nice lens.
I now have a Mamiya 7, Film carrier for 6x7 and a lens setup on the way. I can't wait to develop those huge negs.
Developing in a darkroom is making me a better photographer in the field. There is no place to hide if I start with a crappy negative. I get more level horizons and crop less or not at all. Because when I am shooting I am framing the shoot for the darkroom and it makes me think more about what I am doing. When I am shooting I am trying to picture the finished print in my head.
This was shot with the XA2, the best covert camera I have ever used, and Neopan 400, print scan. How sweet it is....


Old Man and the Waitress by Cosmonaut's, on Flickr


Olympus XA2 by Cosmonaut's, on Flickr
 
I shot plenty of film when I was in high school and college, and for thirty years after.

You can keep the darkroom, the mess, the stinky chemicals, the trial and error and waste of paper.

There's nothing better than a nice digital file and a shiny new iMac with Photoshop. God Bless the late Steve Jobs.

If I want film prints, I send film to Clark Labs. $5.99 for developing and prints.
 
"Developing in a darkroom is making me a better photographer in the field." -- truer words ...

I Love Film said:
You can keep the darkroom, the mess, the stinky chemicals, the trial and error and waste of paper.
Click to expand...

If you were doing trial and error, you were doing it wrong.
 
I Love Film said:
I shot plenty of film when I was in high school and college, and for thirty years after.

You can keep the darkroom, the mess, the stinky chemicals, the trial and error and waste of paper.

There's nothing better than a nice digital file and a shiny new iMac with Photoshop. God Bless the late Steve Jobs.

If I want film prints, I send film to Clark Labs. $5.99 for developing and prints.
Click to expand...


Different strokes for different folks, eh?
 
cosmonaut said:
Its Americana dude.....
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And the best thing is the people-watching. My only experience ended with a family party of eleventy-seven coming in and trying to find enough contiguous tables to accommodate their substantial bulk. Just sayin' ... All good.
 
Finally I am where I want to be? That would be on a warm Costa Rican beach with a cold twelve pack and an M9 in my rucksack.
 
Good for you man. Darkroom feels real good, doesn't it? I seriously looked into going the high end printer route about a year ago and was able to talk myself out of it, for now at least. Since then I am making more of an effort to work in my darkroom and the novelty still hasn't worn off for me even though I've been doing it off and on for > 20 years. Enjoy!
 
Nice! I too need to get started. I have all the equipment but keep putting it off. I'm wanting to fix our spare bathroom into a quick setup darkroom. Keep us informed how the printing goes.

As for the Waffle House shot that brings back memories of driving a cab around Marietta & Smyrna Ga. during the late 80's. WH coffee kept me going:)
 
Mounting my heavy Durst M601 on 4 swivel castor did the trick for me also, quickly moving the enlarger from the closet to the bathroom and voila ! :) Having a stack of self-printed photos on the table is rewarding and adds to the overall process of taking a photo.
 
rangefinder photography discussion

rangefinder photography discussion

Is anyone looking at the new Canon G1X ? It looks like a neat rangefinder. I have a G10 and have basically stopped using my DSLR. It is just to much to haul around. Also, I like street photography and a rangefinder is the only way to go. You put a DSLR to your eye and the whole world stops to gawk!

What do you all think of the camera?
 
ole sarg said:
Is anyone looking at the new Canon G1X ? It looks like a neat rangefinder. I have a G10 and have basically stopped using my DSLR. It is just to much to haul around. Also, I like street photography and a rangefinder is the only way to go. You put a DSLR to your eye and the whole world stops to gawk!

What do you all think of the camera?
Click to expand...

bit off topic eh?

i know you are new, but your question shows you should read more of the forum...and about "rangefinders" :)
 
35mmdelux said:
Finally I am where I want to be? That would be on a warm Costa Rican beach with a cold twelve pack and an M9 in my rucksack.
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Don't get me wrong I think an M9 would be nice and wouldn't turn one down. I always believed that the Leica experience was about film. If Leica offered the MP for a better price I think film would be a better option for a lot today. Not trying to blame Leica for the unfortunate film depression, but it didn't help.
 
maddoc said:
Mounting my heavy Durst M601 on 4 swivel castor did the trick for me also, quickly moving the enlarger from the closet to the bathroom and voila ! :) Having a stack of self-printed photos on the table is rewarding and adds to the overall process of taking a photo.
Click to expand...

It's not a big of hassle as many would believe.
 
cosmonaut said:
Developing in a darkroom is making me a better photographer in the field. There is no place to hide if I start with a crappy negative. I get more level horizons and crop less or not at all. Because when I am shooting I am framing the shoot for the darkroom and it makes me think more about what I am doing. When I am shooting I am trying to picture the finished print in my head.
Click to expand...

A technically better photographer... :)
 
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