26 June 2011
Darkroom, LC2 and Anton Corbijn
29/06/11 15:43
Darkroom
Several readers have inquired about my darkroom practice. I still print with chemicals and Heiland Splitgrade. The darkroom is easily set up. Just a few bottles of chemicals in the trays and you can start printing. Select the negative, read the densities with Splitgrade and adjust slightly according to taste.
When using RC paper (this is very high quality) I have a print hanging at the rack within 5 minutes, With Baryta paper it takes 10 minutes to get an archival print, but here the drying process is a bit complex. Even so: a digital print with Epson 3800 is hardly quicker, when you take the pre-processing time and the actual printing time. Drying is easy of course.
It is however not only the speed and the quality that favors the use of the chemical process, but the emotion and the very fine grey shades you get. It is the same with traveling: part of the fun is the travel, not the arrival. I think that the usual confrontation between chemical and digital does focus on the cost, quality, ease of use and so on, but that is not the real issue. It is the fun and the controllability of the process.Chemical photography is a way of life, like biking (Yes I have the new Cannondale Flash 29-er) in stead of motoring. You like it or you do not like it. Environmental concerns can be met by careful and clever recycling.
Anton Corbijn
In a recent interview Anton Corbijn (the famous Dutch photographer) noted that he still uses films and has no intention to stop using film. Questioned on digital capture and Photoshop he answered: I do not miss these. I still work with film. I do not need to see the result immediately. I love the excitement between the moment of photography and the final result. Waiting is really thrilling, because I think of myself as an awkward photographer. During photography I do not pay attention or forget things. I am very perfectionist during the printing stage. I have nothing with modern equipment. Hasselblad once gave me a digital camera, but I got nervous of that thing with all the buttons and options.
Leica Compendium
The new print run is already sold out. So many persons pre-ordered the book that my stock is sold out. Again! I cannot take more pre-orders!
There may be books available at:
Riceball Photography Bookstore Singapore
Lindemanns Buchhandlung
LFI-Online shop.
www.Camerabooks.com
www.leica-store.hk