COBBLER'S PAGE

A Happy New Year to all!

The beginning of a New Year and time to take stock of what it all means on the photographic front. The run up to the commercial Christmas started early with advertising, on TV, in newspapers and magazines, leaving no-one in doubt that the thing to have this year has to be electronically based. Digital cameras coming well up the list with the comments that “you do not even need to have a computer to get a print from these — a printer is all that is necessary.”

Advertising pays and sells. Many people will be using a digital camera for the first time and will now have the ability to delete mistakes instantly at source, with simple controls to do what can be complicated when using a manual SLR. It could be said that the results will be superior to what was previously available to the mass market. The basic printer can remove red-eye and other faults that needed experienced darkroom manipulation before, thereby producing more acceptable quality pictures in a short time. It is not too far fetched to say that most households will have a digital camera to go with all the other electronic gear. The young photographers of today will never know E6, C41, ID11 or FP4. “What did you do when you started making pictures, Granddad?”

“Well, I went into this place called a darkroom and used dishes with chemicals.”

“Oh, wasn’t that dangerous?”

It came as a pleasant surprise to find that I was not completely redundant with two of my grandchildren. Both are taking Art at college and photography comes into the course (yes, photography is counted as art). From what is said it is not taught very well, a matter of hands on. SLR, film and darkroom available, go out and take some pictures of ...... Maybe this is to assess how keen or imaginative they are, the less they are told, the more they have to find out for themselves.

I have been asked for advice on basic darkroom techniques, different films etc., and it is good to see their interest. One is very keen, enjoying snapping away at her chosen subjects. The resulting pictures show imagination with technical faults you would expect from a learner. Which is where I came in. It is the obvious enjoyment she is getting from using the camera and the darkroom that gives me hope. Using black & white in the ‘arty’ medium? A medium said to be dead with the advent of colour! Now with the digital camera and computer you can convert colour to black and white at the touch of a key, compare your images and then decide which you want.
Does this mean the end of the darkroom, black and white film, papers etc.? Not as long as people want more creative input in their picture-making than pressing keys to perform someone else’s preconceived result. The darkroom has its appeal in the mastering of technique and producing pictures that are unique.

This has not been the case with colour, the technical side being less under the control of the photographer, the computer has certainly taken out problems with colour printing and has made printing from slides a lot easier. But some of us still need E6 and that is a small niche in the market that still thrives. Now on to my next AV production on E6!

In the meantime try the DK-50 formula for black and white, which gives super negatives with good gradation and lots of punch. Prints well on Kentona, grade 2.

Water 50°C                                                   750ml.
Metol                                                             2.5g
Sod. Sulphite anhyd                                       30g
Hydroquinone                                                2.5g
Sod. Metaborate                                           10g
Pot. Bromide                                 5mls 10% sol.
Make up to                                                 1 litre

35mm FP4+ 5 minutes at 68°F
120 FP4+ 6 minutes at 68°F
35mm Delta 100 7 minutes at 68°F
Diffuser enlargers require 40% extra development.