Morning folks - before I start this FB I'd like to mention that the excellent Turkish photographer Omar Özenir has started a new English language blog - his previous one being Geldurkal.
It is always worth reading his insights and looking at his sublime printing and photographic skills - highly recommended.
Anyway the new one - in a stroke of genius - is called "Intermittent Agitation" and you can find it HERE.
Well, a couple of weeks back in a sort of gotta-get-out-of-the-smell-of-paint-fumes-and dust sorta way, I hauled out the Wista DX, Super Angulon 90mm, some ancientally expired film and walked less than a quarter of a mile from my house, to take some photos.
Incredibly you can fit an entire, small, 5x4 set-up, including camera, lens, 2 DDS's AND a dark cloth, loupe, ancilliary equipment etc. into the highly versatile and brick-outhouse built Think Tank Urban Disguise 40 V2. shoulder bag.
It is quite a remarkable wee thing that packs easily to one side whilst you're under the dark cloth and removes the horror and hassle of a backpack/bumbag set-up.
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The above were an exercise in using a 'new' paper - the "Full Plate" size of 6.5 x 8.5".
I wanted to try something that could balance economy with weight if you know what I mean - an inch and half all round bigger than my recent experiments with 5x7" paper, the 'Arfur as I now lovingly call it, delivers the balance that I wanted.
It is a satisfying size to print 5x4 onto, and I think the same will be so when I get around to printing some 6x6 negatives too.
The above negatives were Kodak TMX 400, rated at EI 200. The film expired in 2012 (I have no idea why Kodak film is more expensive than Gold these days - seems a fecking stupid move. Luckily I have about 75 mixed sheets of TMX 100 and TXP 320 to use - all expired 2013.)
It was developed in some truly ancient HC110 (at least 10 years old) Dilution B, and remarkably, they came in at 6 minutes development time.
I find that utterly astonishing.
The prints were Grade 3 on Ilford's "New" MGRC - I don't know whether it is my eyes, but the "new" paper looks slightly more contrasty at Grade 3 than the last lot.
Who knows.
Eyes can be deceptive.
And that's it - briefer than a pair of briefs.
Today I go back to even more painting - it will end eventually I am sure, just have to keep our heads down, keep going and keep the faith.
Till the next time, stock up on film now - a year further on and you'll regret not doing so.
H xx
