Taking a course in B&W developing

[ch1]

Now you folks have gone and done it to me again!

Because of the "bad influences" here I've been reading about stuff like Rodinal and Diafine and "film is dead" so stash a mother lode of the stuff in your freezer and develop your own etc., etc.

So now I went a signed up for a course in developing B&W film (and stuff like darkroom techniques and printing etc.). Really only interested in developing with intention of then scanning etc. but gotta learn the whole thing I guess.

Going to be fun the first day when after 30 years of shooting their going to teach me how to load film in the camera!

Anyway, now that you all got me in this fix(er) I'm going to have a lot of questions - so get ready! 😉

 

[titrisol]

Oh man!
welcome to the ranks of the damned... that an be addictive so beware!!!

PS. post your questions in the Darkroom forum 😉

 

[f/stopblues]

Wait til you learn to put that film on the developing reel. Now *that's* a chore the first couple times. Have fun with everything!

 

[aterlecki]

Really only interested in developing with intention of then scanning etc. but gotta learn the whole thing I guess.

Just you wait. Pretty soon you'll be thinking that used enlargers are too good a deal to pass up (they are!) and then you'll be thinking about slot processors...

I started just developing B&W film to scan and print using quadtone inks. I was never happy with the process or the results so setup a darkroom for wet printing. I love it and it's my place I go to relax and get away from eveything. I spend so long on a computer every day that spending further time with it for all my photography just doesn't appeal.

 

[dadsm3]

Same for me cop.....back to college 'Continuing Education' Photo101(Film)....haven't smelled those chemicals in 35 years. Access to a darkroom for nothing (other than your own paper) is what clinched it.
Surprisingly, my 1st film class was full last week.....mix of 40/50something guys and freshfaced kids. (Not sure, but possibly film photography is a prerequisite for a forensics and/or media diploma.)
Like you, thinking of a good scanner once I get the hang of developing again. I'm sure the gentlemen on this forum will help us out....
Mike

 

[Fred]

Listen to the voices.....

Well done on enrolling for the course. You may well just get hooked on traditional printing. Makes a nice change from sitting in front of a PC after all day sat in front of a PC.

Have fun!

 

[Rick Waldroup]

Once you go down this road there may be no turning back! I have been developing my own B&W film for over 30 years. When I was 15 years old I had a job in a lab (lied about my age) where I processed 32 rolls at a time using racks and the dip and dunk method. I have been doing it ever since. I shoot about 7-10 rolls a week and process everything in my darkroom. This stuff can really get in your blood. Good luck in your class.