Show me your latest darkroom prints

bence8810 said:
Framing nicely done - one thing I should also get started with.
Did you cut the matte to size or you bought one that was exactly what you needed?

Thanks,
Ben
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I order a stack of Bainbridge Alpharag blanks from FrameDestination and cut with a Logan 450. It takes a bit of practice as undercutting leads to the corners tearing and overcutting leaves visible slices in the finished mat. A bone tool is useful for further smoothing the cut edges. I think a 1/2" reveal looks nice and gives ample room for signing the mount lightly in pencil.
 
Nathan King said:
I order a stack of Bainbridge Alpharag blanks from FrameDestination and cut with a Logan 450. It takes a bit of practice as undercutting leads to the corners tearing and overcutting leaves visible slices in the finished mat. A bone tool is useful for further smoothing the cut edges. I think a 1/2" reveal looks nice and gives ample room for signing the mount lightly in pencil.
Click to expand...

Thanks - very informative.
Ben
 
Michael Krompaß said:
I just had to register here to tell you how awesome your prints are!
I have never tried color-darkroom printing but i gather it´s quite intricate and your prints look just fabulous. Could you tell me how you get this kind of transparent black border on the edges of your prints? I also print my negatives in the darkroom but only black and white and i can only get a solid black border but yours looks so much better, kind of rough on the edges and as i said a bit transparent i just love it. I´d love to achieve a similar look!
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Well thank you for the compliment. I'm sorry, but I've been away from printing for awhile and didn't notice your post. It maybe too late now, but I'll mention how I print if anyone is interested.

The edges are simply a function of medium format film held in my Beseler #8312 6x6 negative carrier on my 45MXT enlarger. I use an easel that only shades the outside 1/4 inch of the paper and I size the print to fit fully within the cropped area. The carrier opening is slightly larger than the exposed area of the negative. This means you have to carefully align the negative within the carrier opening to get even borders.

The color darkroom isn't much more difficult than B&W. You'll need to keep your chemicals warm and be consistent with timing, but once you have the exposure and color filtration set, it is basically like B&W. Being consistent when exposing the negatives is important too.

You've inspired me to get back to printing some color!
 
1st day to school

Leica IIIc, Summicron Collapsible, Ilford FP4, Agfa Brovira BN5 hard cream glossy paper (1973 year), diffused light source.



 
finguanzo said:
My first darkroom session... Lots to learn..

U31707I1442718792.SEQ.0.jpg
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First session?? Wow... superb start! They look great.
 
A new one from today - 20x24 Fuji RC paper
Ricoh GR1s - Kodak Eastman DoubleX @400
Rodinal 1:50 11min

Construction workers prepping an old building for takedown in Downtown Tokyo.

Construction_20_24.jpg
 
bence8810 said:
Great colors indeed! How do you develop your film and how do you process the paper? I guess for color work you need a print processor?

Thanks,
Ben
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Thanks Ben.

I process colour film with a Jobo CPP2 and I've been using the Rollei Digibase C41 kit. For the RA4 printing, I started out using tanks on the Jobo, but it was a bit fast and furious for my liking because the dev and blix stages only run for 45 seconds. It's also a pain for me to set-up as the Jobo takes over most of the kitchen and has to be set-up and put away for each session. I've now switched to using a Nova Quad tank (the vertical slot processor with built in heaters) and it's a much nicer experience. I can leave it set up in the bathroom/darkroom with the chemicals ready to go. I have a colour safelight, but mostly leave it off to avoid fogging. It's connected to a foot switch so I can have a couple of seconds of light as I move the paper between the processor slots. I use the Kodak Ektacolor RA4 chemical kit and 2.5% acetic acid for the stop.

I can see how fine art printers or purists think colour printing isn't very good, as the paper is all RC and there's a limited amount you can do to the print, compared to B&W. But I love seeing the colour photos when I switch on the lights. I'm very pleased I decided to pick up a colour enlarger, and especially one with a built in colour analyser...saves a bit of paper running test prints.

The paper and chemicals are very inexpensive compared to B&W and you can process RA4 in trays at room temperature, so you don't have to invest much to give it a try.
 
First post ever after lurking for about 6 months.

This is from my first darkroom visit. Think it was 2 years ago. Been in it 2 times since. Will post more.


This is me and my GF.
22474669663_4ed6761f00_b.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @320.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 12s 0, 0.5s 5.

This is me and my son.
22703645799_4504dc7052_b.jpg

Olympus OM-10 Soligor 24mm, Tri-x @1660
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 12s 2, 1.5s 5.

I must say I am so impressed with the results You guys post! Amazing really.
Thanks for being such an inspiration.

Kind regards
Marcus
 
I think these are from my second session.

This has a lot of nice tones when viewing the real print.
22677562527_8141d9618d_b.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @640.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 14s 0, 0.5s 5.

And this has a real pop, 3D almost (in my opinion, not starting a 3D war!) Even though the pic isn't all that great.
23069866036_3ea3fb8a58_b.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @640.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 12s 0, 2.5s 5.
 
Those are great Marcus. I love the one of you and your boy. Full of character.

Agree about the 3D in that last photo. It feels like you are falling into the print.
 
FujiLove said:
I process colour film with a Jobo CPP2 and I've been using the Rollei Digibase C41 kit. For the RA4 printing, I started out using tanks on the Jobo, but it was a bit fast and furious for my liking because the dev and blix stages only run for 45 seconds. It's also a pain for me to set-up as the Jobo takes over most of the kitchen and has to be set-up and put away for each session. I've now switched to using a Nova Quad tank (the vertical slot processor with built in heaters) and it's a much nicer experience. I can leave it set up in the bathroom/darkroom with the chemicals ready to go. I have a colour safelight, but mostly leave it off to avoid fogging. It's connected to a foot switch so I can have a couple of seconds of light as I move the paper between the processor slots. I use the Kodak Ektacolor RA4 chemical kit and 2.5% acetic acid for the stop.

I can see how fine art printers or purists think colour printing isn't very good, as the paper is all RC and there's a limited amount you can do to the print, compared to B&W. But I love seeing the colour photos when I switch on the lights. I'm very pleased I decided to pick up a colour enlarger, and especially one with a built in colour analyser...saves a bit of paper running test prints.

The paper and chemicals are very inexpensive compared to B&W and you can process RA4 in trays at room temperature, so you don't have to invest much to give it a try.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the explanation - I have seen a few videos on the 'tube but a written up account is better sometimes.

I am mainly a B&W printer and enjoy the ease of use etc but your color shots sure make it look interesting to try color printing in the future.

Thanks again!
Ben
 
third session, about a year ago.

My Parents at Gran Canaria, spring 2014.
22759798767_a33b72401b_o.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @320.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 14s 0, 1.5s 5.

My Parents as well.
23153955825_847eabd8fa_o.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @800.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 14s 0, 1.5s 5.

My GF again.
22759801197_a58387423d_o.jpg

Olympus OM-2 50mm 1.8, Tri-x @320.
Durst M601, El-Nikkor 80mm, Kodak Polymax, Ilford Multigrade, 14s 0, 1.5s 5.
 
Show me your latest darkroom prints

Just put this on the heat press ... Will continue toning tomorrow.

a7bfd4198924bcc75a258e601db64741.jpg


FP4+, 4x5, 180mm on MGWT, 12x16

Lars
 
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