an old begger..

Critiques [Translate]

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• prezntime (3935)
• [2007-12-23 8:11]
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Hello Cheuk.
Not sure what happened here. It looks like a photo of a canvas...Only thing I can guess is you fixed or stopped too long. Maybe a drastic temperture change during developement from one chemical to another. Go for this process as a starter and work from here, for Tri-x 400 atleast.
Use Kodak D-76 developer...any stop bath and Ilford Rapid fixer, have a permawash ready for fixer cleansing...to make things easier.
Make sure all of your chemicals are new and at 68 degrees F...20 degrees C. By the way, use the standard dilution of D-76.
Develope the film for 6 minutes 45 seconds...Pour the developer in pretty quick and agitate for the first 45 seconds, then every minute there after, agitate for 15 to 30 seconds. After the 6:45 dump the developer and pour in your stop, agitate for one minute. Then, dump your stop and pour in your fixer, agitate for 15 seconds then a couple of more times during the fixing process. Even though I'm using rapid fix, I still leave the film in the fixer for 7 minutes...After fixing, rinse the film with distilled water, or through a faucet filter, for one minute at about three changes of water per minute. Next pour in the permawash and agitate for one minute, dump the wash and do a second rinse with distilled water (all at 68 degrees F) for about 2 to 3 minutes.
That should do you...this is very basic and many people will give you different opinions about what works best; all of which might be true, but this definately works and should be a nice starting point.
After some time you'll be able to adjust your developing times for the typ of lighting you were shooting that day, so make notes on your film canisters as to the light I.E.; bright and contrasty, overcast and flat etc...
Let me know how this works for you.

Chris

PS. Ilford Rapid fix looses potency quickly when diluted, only lasts for about a week. Keep chemicals as new as possible and follow directions as to quanity of film developed or fixed etc.

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• rushfan2112 (2949)
• [2007-12-24 7:11]

In a peculiar sort of way, I actually like the effect you've created by accident. The subject matter is tragic and presenting it in this way seems almost more appropriate.

It is many years since I developed a B&W film - so much credit to you for continuing the art. Chris' advice sounds very sensible to me - so I hope you continue and I look forward to seeing more of your posts.

Kind regards, Paul.

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• mphotographies (1354)
• [2008-01-23 1:31]

Hey Cheuk,

First of all I read your discussion with Chris earlier and really have no knowledge of the 'white developing' process.

Well at first the image seem to look very 'documentary' in effect. The chaos of the crowd in Causeway Bay makes such interesting street photography and you have come up with such good piece! The weather 'look' of the image quality seem appropriate with the intent of the subject. The foreground and background works well together and there is a strong social message your image speaks.

Best Regards,

Jom

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• Brian (1169)
• [2008-02-12 18:03]

Hey Cheuk,
I am pretty new to developing film myself, and agree with Chris' dev times & procedures. I don't know if it is wise to reuse certain developers like D-76 or like developers since they lose their effectiveness quickly. The stuff is pretty cheap anyway. If you want to keep reusing developer look into using Diafine. The stuff is easy to use as well since it is not as dependent on temperature and time.

As for you're photo, I think it's OK. Not really much going on except a begger laid out on the floor of a crowd. I do like the way the couple are looking at each other while holding hands. The canvas like pattern and scratches are pretty neat though. I think this would be a great effect if you were able to control it.

Brian

Here's some info regarding reusing developers such as D-76.

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00OHJl

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• Polonaise (16063)
• [2008-03-21 6:13]

You wanted it or not - it turned out to be blessing for the theme you've presented...
Depressing scene yet so common in the big cities.

……………………………………………

Your discussion about developing…
Like a spark came to me…
Those years spent in the darkroom, the smell of the chemicals, dim space, Paterson tank, couvettes, water pouring all the time into the basin with the stuff…
Moments of ecstasy and complete horror…
Yes… It happened so may times…

Hey !!! Those were the days…!!!

Thanks, Cheuk

george