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Film (Analog) Photography Thread

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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
Might as well be time to have a dedicated thread on this. Call it a consolidation if you will (or at least another thread to chat about our artz)

Ask film related questions... Post film related discussion topics... Get stoked on real photography with real cameras with real reels of real film...
Mar 18 2014 1:13PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
jcaI'd like to keep it under $300 for the tripod and head but I can go more especially for something reasonably lightish and compact for hiking (fully understanding it will take a fairly heavy tripod).


I'd look for something rated for at least 10-15 pounds. probably plastic is your best bet, but you may be able to swing carbon fiber.
Oct 4 2017 5:31PM
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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,327
what am I doing wrong? I'm fairly new to film. Is it that I used cheapo drugstore film, or that my scanner is not very good quality?
Oct 12 2017 6:16PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
C_dubwhat am I doing wrong? I'm fairly new to film. Is it that I used cheapo drugstore film, or that my scanner is not very good quality?


Could be a little of both, but it looks like you need to work on your settings when you scan. How are you color balancing when you scan? Are you using automatic correction, manual correction, or none at all? It looks like you shot on a bright sunny day, and even cheap drugstore film should do pretty well in that light. Did you have the film developed or do it yourself?
Oct 16 2017 3:34PM
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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,327
84westCould be a little of both, but it looks like you need to work on your settings when you scan. How are you color balancing when you scan? Are you using automatic correction, manual correction, or none at all? It looks like you shot on a bright sunny day, and even cheap drugstore film should do pretty well in that light. Did you have the film developed or do it yourself?


The scanner I have doesn't allow you to do any color balancing. It cost $20 so I feel like it is the scanner that is at fault. I have a lab develop my film.
Oct 16 2017 4:41PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
C_dubThe scanner I have doesn't allow you to do any color balancing. It cost $20 so I feel like it is the scanner that is at fault. I have a lab develop my film.


yeah then I would save up to get a decent scanner. The epson v600 is pretty affordable and does a decent job. In the meantime your lab should probably be able to to scans for like $5 a roll at like 1200x1800 at the time of developing. (pricing may vary that's just what we charge where I work for base res)
Oct 16 2017 6:20PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,961
84westyeah then I would save up to get a decent scanner. The epson v600 is pretty affordable and does a decent job. In the meantime your lab should probably be able to to scans for like $5 a roll at like 1200x1800 at the time of developing. (pricing may vary that's just what we charge where I work for base res)


I have been very happy with my V600, great scanner for the price and very easy to use. 90% of the photos in my flickr are scanned with the v600 and then processed in the included Photoshop Elements, stuff like cleaning dust and fixing exposure, only recently have I been working on color correction and simple dodging and burning effects.

In other news, I sold my RZ67 kit to KEH. I think I spent around 6 or 7 hundred on it about 4 years ago, put less than 10 rolls through it and mostly collectled dust with it. Well that ended up biting me in the ass because the appraiser found mold in a couple lenses apparently and I ended up with only $250 for it, pretty bummed but it wasn't getting any use and I was in need of any sort of money at the time and was too rushed to try to sell the "moldy" lenses (I am very certain it was miniscule and didn't effect picture quality) on ebay or something.
Oct 20 2017 12:38AM
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junyawatanabe
Posts: 591 - Karma: 667
Just got my dads old film camera working today, still super confused. I feel like it is going to be lots of trial and error until i get some good shots.
Nov 21 2017 12:05AM
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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,327
Insanely stoked on how these came out. Fuji Superia 400 on a Canon AF35M
Jan 5 2018 11:25PM
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Jarvis
Posts: 49 - Karma: 38
So, I'm just starting film photography. I'm taking a school class for it. I'm using the rebel k2 because my school let me rent it for free. I'm just wondering, can you change the lenses while film is loaded? My teacher is of the opinion that you can, but I'd like a second opinion before I try it, so that I don't ruin a roll of film.
Jan 19 2018 7:39AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
JarvisSo, I'm just starting film photography. I'm taking a school class for it. I'm using the rebel k2 because my school let me rent it for free. I'm just wondering, can you change the lenses while film is loaded? My teacher is of the opinion that you can, but I'd like a second opinion before I try it, so that I don't ruin a roll of film.




yes
Jan 19 2018 3:28PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
I recently acquired a flash bracket for this beast and have been shooting only using guide number and sunny 16 for the past few days. Will be interesting to see what happens once I have time to run some film.

Feb 23 2018 8:15PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
a friend is being kind enough to let me borrow this beautiful piece of german witchcraft as i head into bryce/escalante for the weekend, plus i got my local camera stores' last 2 rolls of acros




M3 w/Elmar 50/2.8 & Summaron 35/2.8
Apr 13 2018 2:11AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
Rafikia friend is being kind enough to let me borrow this beautiful piece of german witchcraft as i head into bryce/escalante for the weekend, plus i got my local camera stores' last 2 rolls of acros


Beautiful Camera. I'm less bummed about acros then i thought i would be, I think i'm desensitized to fuji killing off films at this point. (Also TMAX 100 is an okay substitute although not the same character) I've heard rumors from a few places that at this point they are only coating instax and their RA4 lab paper. I just hope that Kodak/Ferrania get their shit together with e6 before fuji cuts velvia and provia, and all the labs that run it disappear.

That massive flash bracket setup on my fuji 6x9 I posted has worked out pretty well:

(GW690iii/TX400@1600/HC110B)


Also going to include a shameless claim photo on the state of my fridge thanks to roger (pictured above) who offered me a very generous rate to buy out some of our film as the lab closed. Picked up a lot of Portra and Tri-X although the portra is going to go on ice for a project this winter and until i can get finished setting up my colorhead and RA4 chemistry in the darkroom.


Apr 21 2018 6:14PM
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Rafiki
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unfortunately had some bad luck with the M3 and it showed some shutter issues but was still able to pull out a couple gems! all pushed 1 stop, sorry for the trashy scans














Apr 25 2018 11:18PM
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jca
Posts: 4169 - Karma: 6,310
84westBeautiful Camera. I'm less bummed about acros then i thought i would be, I think i'm desensitized to fuji killing off films at this point. (Also TMAX 100 is an okay substitute although not the same character) I've heard rumors from a few places that at this point they are only coating instax and their RA4 lab paper. I just hope that Kodak/Ferrania get their shit together with e6 before fuji cuts velvia and provia, and all the labs that run it disappear.

That massive flash bracket setup on my fuji 6x9 I posted has worked out pretty well:

(GW690iii/TX400@1600/HC110B)


Also going to include a shameless claim photo on the state of my fridge thanks to roger (pictured above) who offered me a very generous rate to buy out some of our film as the lab closed. Picked up a lot of Portra and Tri-X although the portra is going to go on ice for a project this winter and until i can get finished setting up my colorhead and RA4 chemistry in the darkroom.




Show us more from the 6x9!!
Apr 25 2018 11:25PM
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jca
Posts: 4169 - Karma: 6,310
Some snaps from the first roll of Ektar 100 through the Pentax 6x7.


Apr 25 2018 11:42PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
jcaShow us more from the 6x9!!

I'm a little behind on scanning so I don't have anything recent right now, but I do have some scans of Velvia I did on a Flextight from a while back. I need to shoot some more E6 before fuji inevitably kills off their fujichrome line as well.



Apr 26 2018 4:48PM
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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,327
Porta 400 on canon af35m
May 5 2018 3:33AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
Rafikilast 2 rolls of acros


So frustrated theyre discontinuing that film..
its become my absolute favourite black and white stock... (I pretty much only shoot 100 speed anymore)

Oh well. Ultrafine Extreme 100 it shall be from now on.
May 15 2018 4:29PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5229 - Karma: 20,558
recently scanned some ektar100 I shot in 2015, was my first few rolls so a lot of it came out pretty bad but I was stoked on a couple of these. totally gonna invest in a monopod or something next time I shoot film cause half the shots were shaky/blurry.









May 15 2018 4:50PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
84westI was going back through some old scans and rediscovered this. Almost thinking I should start shooting 6x6 again. We have a beautiful Hasselblad 501 at work that's tempting, but I have much more responsible purchases to make photography wise that would actually help me with work...


**This post was edited on Oct 4th 2017 at 5:32:12pm



What film are you using?
May 15 2018 4:52PM
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PacificRimJob
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May 16 2018 4:50AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
TWoodsWhat film are you using?


That was Ektar 100 and a bronica SQ-A with the 80mm 2.8 PS, I have a a roll from the same day of Velvia for comparison. I find the Velvia tends to run cooler with much deeper blues. Velvia does really well with reds and blues, but can be tricky with earth or skin tones. Ektar does pretty well for me as a sunny day available light film, although if i'm shooting c41 I almost always buy Portra.

Velvia (same camera but a slight crop):

May 16 2018 3:06PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
84westThat was Ektar 100 and a bronica SQ-A with the 80mm 2.8 PS, I have a a roll from the same day of Velvia for comparison. I find the Velvia tends to run cooler with much deeper blues. Velvia does really well with reds and blues, but can be tricky with earth or skin tones. Ektar does pretty well for me as a sunny day available light film, although if i'm shooting c41 I almost always buy Portra.

Velvia (same camera but a slight crop):



Good to know. Love the color rendition there. I've struggled to find a slide film I like. I've shot a bit of Velvia and Portra, which I like OK, and I bought about 80 rolls of Ektachrome once for about a dollar a roll that I will likely never get through (also just good not great)

I shot Ektar a number of years ago and really liked it - not sure why I've never just gone back to it.
May 16 2018 10:29PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,057
TWoodsGood to know. Love the color rendition there. I've struggled to find a slide film I like. I've shot a bit of Velvia and Portra, which I like OK, and I bought about 80 rolls of Ektachrome once for about a dollar a roll that I will likely never get through (also just good not great)

I shot Ektar a number of years ago and really liked it - not sure why I've never just gone back to it.


Haha that Ektachrome that the place in Salt Lake was firesaling? I still have some too. I've shot a few rolls but haven't developed any.
May 17 2018 11:35AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
loganimlachHaha that Ektachrome that the place in Salt Lake was firesaling? I still have some too. I've shot a few rolls but haven't developed any.


Nichols by the brickyard? Was this like 3 years ago? I wish I would have bought more when they were dumping it.
May 17 2018 11:46AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
So, I'm a big fan of stand development, because I'm A: Lazy, B: Busy and 3: never liked getting high on chemicals (and yes, I just said A, B, 3)

I've been pretty much only devoing my B&W films for years and sending in my c41 stuff.. because, as any dumbass lazy millennial, I hate dealing with the temperature consistency nonsense. Because it's haaaard ughhh

But I just found out about c41 stand development using the compard digibase c41 kit...

https://www.lomography.com/magazine/96244-c-41-development-at-room-temperature-with-stand-processing-and-optional-bleach-bypass-for-cool-effects

anyone tried this? Do they even make this kit anymore?

Basically develop at 65f/18C

Presoak in water 3Min
Developer agitate 1Min, stand 45Min
Wash for 3 Min
Bleach (not blix) agitate 1min, stand 45 Min
Wash 3 Min
Fix (again.. no blix) for 7min
Ilford 5-10-20 rinse
Stabiliser

I probably wouldn't want to blow through all my ektar in my hasselblad and devo this way until I'm more confident with the results, but my collection of expired film, and cheap Vista 200 and Fuji c200 would finally get to be shot... (not to mention, I'd actually develop the dozen or so undeveloped C41 films I'm sitting on)
May 18 2018 7:35AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
loganimlachHaha that Ektachrome that the place in Salt Lake was firesaling? I still have some too. I've shot a few rolls but haven't developed any.



Yepppp.

I've got 60+ rolls in my freezer. Will never need 120 film again.

Its pretty good stuff, just don't like the color rendition all that much.
May 18 2018 11:08AM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,057
84westNichols by the brickyard? Was this like 3 years ago? I wish I would have bought more when they were dumping it.


TWoodsYepppp.

I've got 60+ rolls in my freezer. Will never need 120 film again.

Its pretty good stuff, just don't like the color rendition all that much.

Yeah I only bought 10
May 18 2018 4:32PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936









May 21 2018 6:16AM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
DingoSean










well done
May 23 2018 4:33AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
Temperatures are heating up again... Fuckin bromide drag...

Guess I'll start doing a semi stand for 120 now.







May 31 2018 10:38AM
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jca
Posts: 4169 - Karma: 6,310
DingoSean


This is dope
Jun 4 2018 3:16PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
jcaThis is dope


It's a total fuckup.



Look at the gradient from left to right. Way lighter on one side than the other.



The bromide dragged down the film due to inconsistent temps and left one side underdeveloped. I'm surprised it didn't create a bunch of streaks.
Jun 5 2018 4:46PM
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jca
Posts: 4169 - Karma: 6,310
DingoSeanIt's a total fuckup.



Look at the gradient from left to right. Way lighter on one side than the other.



The bromide dragged down the film due to inconsistent temps and left one side underdeveloped. I'm surprised it didn't create a bunch of streaks.


I still really dig it, great composition and looks like the exposure was pretty bang on. It's just super pleasing to my eyes.
Jun 6 2018 12:26PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
jcaI still really dig it, great composition and looks like the exposure was pretty bang on. It's just super pleasing to my eyes.


Thank you.

I got the exposure right, but you can only tell by looking at the middle third of the images. There is uneven development from the left side to the right side due to mismanaging the temperature during the stand, unfortunately.

I'm frustrated, because the weather that day was spectacular for photographing that area. The clouds were very well toned, and it's almost never like that. It's generally extremely sunny out all the time, or high cloud cover overcast, rather than moisture laden cumulous clouds. It was exceptional weather conditions that I won't see for a long time, and I screwed it all up in development.

I'll be shooting the same area sometime this summer with a very strong red filter (because artz) to make the sky black. should provide a very different result that I might like even more anyway.

**This post was edited on Jun 9th 2018 at 6:19:18am
Jun 9 2018 6:13AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
In other news.. I just picked up a Pen F and a super clean AE1 yesterday for a cool 75 bucks.



Already sold the AE1 for 120. Free Pen F AND 55 bucks? That's a fucking come-up.
Jun 9 2018 7:01AM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
DingoSeanIn other news.. I just picked up a Pen F and a super clean AE1 yesterday for a cool 75 bucks.



Already sold the AE1 for 120. Free Pen F AND 55 bucks? That's a fucking come-up.


Not a huge fan of half frame cameras (probably from all the time struggling to to get the frontier to scan the negatives right from my time in a lab) but it is hard to argue with that price. Solid find.
Jul 3 2018 5:37PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
Messing around with a crappy compact. Tri-X lets you get away with murder in terms of exposure.

Jul 3 2018 5:44PM
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creaturelo
Posts: 595 - Karma: 11,763
Restored a little monolta I found in my dad's garage, thankfully she works. write my name in a heart with portra 400.
Jul 10 2018 3:04PM
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Loodwik
Posts: 236 - Karma: 313
Alot of dust, but anyhow












Using a Minolta X370 with a 50mm 1.7 lens.
Aug 2 2018 8:07AM
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jca
Posts: 4169 - Karma: 6,310
dudewhaatAlot of dust, but anyhow



Using a Minolta X370 with a 50mm 1.7 lens.


I'm a sucker for moody/cloudy mountains. This is tight!
Aug 2 2018 10:07AM
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Loodwik
Posts: 236 - Karma: 313
jcaI'm a sucker for moody/cloudy mountains. This is tight!

Thanks man!
Aug 2 2018 10:29AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
I now officially have a darkroom for making prints.

Picked up a brand new enlarger for free (like... Its from the 70s, but still in plastic. For free from a guy who's brother ran a studio. Brand new lenses and all) all the trays and timer and safelight, easels, etc for like 30$ from some guy on craigslist.

Picked up 100 sheets of paper and a bottle of multigrade developer and boom. Now I can make prints of everything. It's been so fun
Aug 4 2018 5:30PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
DingoSeanI now officially have a darkroom for making prints.

Picked up a brand new enlarger for free (like... Its from the 70s, but still in plastic. For free from a guy who's brother ran a studio. Brand new lenses and all) all the trays and timer and safelight, easels, etc for like 30$ from some guy on craigslist.

Picked up 100 sheets of paper and a bottle of multigrade developer and boom. Now I can make prints of everything. It's been so fun


I have enough random stuff in the basement to outfit at least two working darkrooms. Still have yet to make a print at home, mostly I just develop and scan. I need to get back into printing.
Aug 14 2018 6:01PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
84westI have enough random stuff in the basement to outfit at least two working darkrooms. Still have yet to make a print at home, mostly I just develop and scan. I need to get back into printing.

Do it. Otherwise you may as well just shoot digital
Aug 14 2018 6:04PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
I've been cheating on HC110 with XTOL a little lately, here's few random singles from those rolls. Might have to switch fully.
All tri-x pushed two stops XTOl 1:1 one shot in a jobo and pre ai nikkor glass. (I believe 35/2.8 for the first one, I know its 55/3.5 micro for the second, and either 24/2.8 or 35/2.8 for the third)



Aug 14 2018 6:07PM
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84west
Posts: 646 - Karma: 1,254
DingoSeanDo it. Otherwise you may as well just shoot digital


You're not wrong, I've made some contact sheets for work and have access to an insane private darkroom to print in, just need to find time to shoot more film. It's not easy with most everything I shoot being on a news deadline.
Aug 14 2018 6:09PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
84westYou're not wrong, I've made some contact sheets for work and have access to an insane private darkroom to print in, just need to find time to shoot more film. It's not easy with most everything I shoot being on a news deadline.

You need to make time for yourself to shoot some stuff for yourself.

Thats probably the biggest reason I shoot film nowadays - it's all for me. For my side hustle, I shoot digitally, and don't get me wrong, digital workflow is pretty convenient... but it's all just faff at the end of the day. There's nothing tangible about it. I'm never going to go through my hard drive, clicking through digital photos on a screen and just look at them..

But prints.. and negatives.. those are physical media.. ones that don't even take up much space (seriously a box of 5x7s takes up less space than the brick of a hard drive sitting on my desk) one's that I take joy from when I flip through them. I actually treasure them.

We are always scared of our hard drives blowing up. Of corrupting all the files. Of bricking our whole portfolio.. we spend more and more money on backing these files up... just to make sure theyre safe...

When all we really need is a couple negative archives, some plastic sleeves, and a box full of prints we have made with our sweat and toil.

Shoot personal work on film only. You will never be disappointed.
Aug 15 2018 12:20PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,936
On that note...























^the squares all taken on Hasselblad. All shot on Ultrafine Extreme either 100 or 400 and dunked in 1:100 rodinol for 1hr. Hence the gradients on the ledt side of the image from the bromide drag. I'd change up my developing schemes but I just love the vintage look to it too much. I just cut off the left edge in my prints if I want to keep it looking "correct"

The last two were taken with my Vivitar Rangefinder on kentmere 100 pushed to 400 in d76. A combo ive been shooting a ton with lately.

**This post was edited on Aug 15th 2018 at 12:42:02pm
Aug 15 2018 12:29PM
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