I finally did it!

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MiniMoke

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I've been shooting film since I was about 15, way back in 78, but never got around to developing myself.

After a longish bout of digital stuff, I started to shoot film again last year and vowed to develop myself this time! OK, net yet wet processing, but who knows.....

I developed my VERY FIRST film today. It's now drying in the bathroom and it might just be OK at first view.

That was nervous business, trying to get everything right and not messing up. So much can go wrong!

Waiting now until it's dry and I'll share some scans later..... I hope!
 
Congratulations. Look forward to seeing the results. Are you wet printing also or scanning your negs for now? As much as I love printing in the darkroom, the hybrid workflow is pretty cool too. You'll be amazed how fast and efficient you get. I even take a tank, chemicals and my Plustek scanner on the road sometimes.

I am sure you know this, but try and take time to document your times / temperatures etc. whilst your starting off. It's a great way to speed up the learning process.
 
Just developing for the moment!

I relied on instructions from Stefan Heymann (in german) and the Massive Dev iPhone app to get it right with basic settings the first time.

Negs are still drying...... I'm impatient to scan them....
 
OK, here are the results... I am quite happy with the scans.

Just a bit of post processing.... well perhaps too much, you'll tell me!

All taken with my trusty XA2 on TriX 400, scanned on my Epson V600.

I would be happy if you could give me your comments (even negative ones are welcome!!).

And some tips for post processing would be fine too (I own Photoshop Express and Aperture).

Here they come (doing a bit of a series on old doors)


Stairs by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Side street by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Yes, this is officially a street! by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Door by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Yes, this is officially a street! by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Door by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Garden Gate by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Door.... well half a door by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Doors by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr


Shoes by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr
 
They look OK to me, perhaps a bit on the contrasty side. When you develop for scanning, what you don't want, is to overdevelop, because solid silver will block the highlights, so generally:
1)Try to expose on the rich side, develop on the short side for a flatter negative of medium density (when it is too flat or thin, you lose detail in mid-tones)
2) When scanning always make a preview with histogram and select only the exposed part for scanning - if you get an overflow on the right, try to scan as colour negative or slide film to avoid highlight clipping
3)When editing, adjust with curves to get the right tonality in the most important area of the image, then work locally to dodge/burn on other areas.
 
Thank you for the comments!

I think I really overdid pp a bit and pushed contrast too high. The scans are much flatter, but I like this contrasty look (too much).

I'll be grateful for any other comments or critique!
 
@ MiniMoke,

While it's hard to really tell when looking at a computer screen (too many variations in saturation, contrast, etc. unless they have ben calibrated), I would have t say that your images look good although the contrast is a bit high for my eye. You are off to a very good start - congratulations!

I develop my own film and it is addicting, but in a good way. It is truly enjoyable and the more you do it, the easier it gets. If you are so inclined, give C-41 (color negative) developing a try some time. It is very simple with only three chemicals involved (along with water washes).

I would highly recommend mixing your chemicals with distilled water - it does make a difference as the chemicals and minerals in tap water will negatively impact the development of your film (increased grain size, color shift with C-41 and E-6, etc.). Distilled water will go a long way in increasing the quality of your finished negs (tap water is okay to use fr the wash steps is what I have found).

Welcome to the world of film and developing! 😀
 
Welcome to the b/w film club, MiniMoke 🙂

Pictures looking very good on my iPad screen. Will check them on Flickr, at better screen.
My first developed film wasn't so good as yours.

Wet printing is even more fun and it becomes final product, then.
 
mfogiel said:
3)When editing, adjust with curves to get the right tonality in the most important area of the image, then work locally to dodge/burn on other areas.
Click to expand...
Very helpful for myself, thanks for this.

MiniMoke said:
Try it! It was really easier than I thought, or else I was very lucky first time.
No really, just like a cooking recipe, follow the rules and it works. A lot of fun and cheaper than the lab too.
Click to expand...
I think it's easier than cooking haha..
Massive Dev Chart app is helpful, I bought the full version as I found it to be practical and reliable. Have fun, your first roll looks way better than my first. 🙂
 
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