After months of neglect I returned to the darkroom. Ritual film development, printing and processing were an unexpected high in an otherwise hectic life. I’m not certain what changed but I found myself carrying the Leica M6 again, one lens, and an extra roll of film in my pocket. The familiar actions related to using that camera surged into an excitement that bordered on giddy. Thankfully I didn’t question my sanity or state of mind and just went with the flow, a re-acquaintance with the 3 Prints Project.
That’s my friend Paul Ruby floating in the tray. I made a picture of a piece he had in a local exhibit, a large self portrait made while he was in India. He works and prints digitally since he no longer has a darkroom.
Anyone who’s spent intermittent periods in a darkroom knows the early frustration of finding chemicals out of date, materials expired and other victims of neglect. A ride into town to visit the local camera shop solved the problem and I was soon ready to go. Camera stores are fast disappearing from the landscape. My sentimental feelings for them run deep and I never pass up an opportunity to visit one. I suspect in another five to ten years they’ll all be gone.
I still remember the first can of Dektol developer I purchased in the 1960s at a small drugstore. Photographic supplies were far more common then. Nearly 50 years later I am still a faithful user of Kodak’s stalwart paper developer. At least until the big yellow box makes it all go away.
The ride into town last Sunday morning to meet my 3 Prints Project partner Gordon Harkins offered the first fall-like weather of the season complete with just a bit of fog on the hillsides. Mornings like these have me thinking of riding more than photography.
State College is quiet in the morning. The streets are usually empty and I don’t mind being in town. Making this photograph I am reminded of how many years I have been using these parking spaces. Time is flying by.
Here are the prints I made this past week. Proof prints, nothing special, just a quick enlargement on an 11×14 sheet of Ilford Multigrade IV fiber paper.
Mr. Ruby as seen at the Art Alliance Gallery in Lemont, Pennsylvania. How would you like that image staring at you from your living room wall?
Junior and I at home. In low light I decided I had to see how slow I could shoot with the Leica. This one was made at 1/4 of a second. I’m not as steady as I used to be, at least not crouched down like that.
Kim flying out of the car, camera in hand. She tells me she doesn’t get excited about much. I know different and witness her focus and energy on a daily basis. I try not to lead on how much I envy her energy and concentration.
A portrait of Gordon Harkins at Saint’s Cafe, frequent site of our 3 Prints Project meetings. Captured here listening to some inane chatter pouring forth from my mouth.
Junior watching over his domain which includes Kim pulling weeds. Gordon and I discussed conversations about this image that might have ensued when we were in graduate school. Politics is everywhere.
I finished two more rolls about an hour ago and after dinner may head again to the darkroom to work under the amber lights…
Dear Scooter In The Sticks (Steve):
There have been times when I swore I saw my own face swimming around in liquid. There are times when nothing will do but to go back to the basics, burning in an image by hand, and defining its charcter by dunking it in chemicals.
Yesterday, I had a yen to write long hand. I made a sandwich and waited until the feeling passed, however.
So that is Kim. Now I have a face to put to the only time I ever heard her voice. I was on the phone chatting with you, and she walked into the room, and said something about the temperature, as she switched on the air conditioner. I thought it was very inspirational.
Fondest regards,
Jasck/reep
Twisted Roads
Steve, one of the five majors I went through in college was photojournalism…lots of time in the college darkroom and the bathroom at home I used as one. I can almost recall the smell of the chemicals, the slick, slightly oily yet not oily feel of the paper coming out of the chemicals….screwing around with light blocks to heighten/lessen the exposure of the paper….keeping watch on the timer so the paper didn’t spend too much time in a particular solution stage….I think I prefer digital. : )
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
The reflected photograph of you and Junior I do like!
Junior is looking at you and saying, “Dad, what the heck are you doing?”
And I look at Junior and think to myself as the observer; the
heavy black coat on Junior probably needs a good daily brishing, and when Junior molts, fur everywhere.
Still methinks Junior is a good companion for you.
Now maybe think about a sidecar for the Vespa and take Junior with you!
And to make life easier I much prefer a wet darkroom over digital processing. The two are similar yet different. or maybe it’s because I am old and unable to recallexactly what i did where and how using the computer. However once you reactivate your base hoto skills of developing film and then printing the results, it all comes back to me
Mr. Riepe: Kim will be glad to know that she was part of an inspirational moment. She and I just finished an episode of Sons of Anarchy. I’m certain she has an infinity for he riding community.
Charlie6: You prefer digital because you’re smart.
Bryce: You’re right about Junior’s coat and the need for daily brushing. And the black tumbleweeds around the house.
I’ve not washed my Vespa in two years. What are the chances that Junior gets brushed daily?
The more I work the more I see growing gaps between process and product, digital vs. film. And I suppose that’s what keeps me engaged. Neither is better than the other, just different. And I am learning the power of each.
I love black & white pictures, they hold such a charm, nostalgia and depth. Quite often when I am snapping pics I will turn my camera onto the black & white mode. I love the contrast. I am a digi person, just easier and instant developing, instead of film getting lost in a drawer & getting foggy.
A great photo of Gordon, Steve! And of Kim. Well, all of ’em are great.
I was fortunate to be able to work in a darkroom in the ’70s. I still remember the thrill of seeing an image begin to appear on the paper as the developer sloshed back and forth in the tray. I still enjoy looking at black and white photos under red light!
And my first successfully developed roll of 35mm color slide film resulted in my supervisor spending hours hand-coloring them with little tiny bruches, for in my excitement I carried the still wet film to her office to show her that I had gotten the hang of loading the film onto the developer tank spool. Most of the slides looked like it was hailing at the time the shot was taken! She kept her cool. I kept my job. All ended well.
Thanks for the photos that sparked the memories!
All best,
Keith