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Been a while since I did anything here so I'll start anew- it's funny I have mastered the negative development bit in the meantime but did not chronicle my success- now i am taking a printing class and am about to start B&W wet printing at home so I guess I'll take it from there ;)


I just tided my darkroom space to make more room for chemicals and my recently acquired Prinz 66 enlarger. A work friend is about to give me everything else including the trays, safe-lite etc and maybe even a steel sink!! I'll post some pictures to show the darkroom at this stage- i also hope to be shooting in the next few weeks with models for various projects but notably my Zodiac one! Stay tuned you impatient millions!!

Home Film Development Debut!

Finally got it going- just 2 rolls so far- Fuji Acros 100 and Fuji Neopan 400 both with Diafine and Kodak Rapid Fixer and dried with Rexton Flash Dry. I also used the Arista old-school style development tank with apron which left marks on the sides and also may have led to the visible streaking on these pictures! Better luck next time! The Acros came out great and that is what you see here but the Neopan is too poor to show so I am going to experiment with the development method on that film. At least I am started ;)

First Hollywood Style Shoot

Ok no Film developed yet- I won't be able to for a few weeks as I am in the boonies now- bring on my darkroom!!! But here are some digital captures from shoot 1. Thanks Melissa!!

And color:

First Test: Self

Using a small focusing fresnel to left of my position with barn doors in horizontal plane and then some very mild flood light from rear right of the camera. The camera was my old trusty Olmypus 5050z digital set to monotone and operated by remote. looking promising!!! Now a Model please!!! :)

Light Blockers Created and Hung!

Okay so here is what you get if you combine black foam core bought on ebay, painters tape, a box cutter, a ruler, wall hooks from Walmart and a couple of picture hooks:

Wall Hook detail.

Two foam core sheets joined to hang in front of long window. Can also be interchanageably hung in front of outer door window.

Here is the system I taped together for the 2 large sheet windows (45" by 48"):


Overall view of hanging foamcore blocker.

Detail of hooks- made from picture hangers!

And the side windows:

So now I can hang and rearrange these blockers for privacy during shoots or to precisely control incoming daylight! Now last thing I need is to set up intial lighting test and get some 'prop' furniture!!

Darkroom Separated from Studio!

A temporary set-up but I think it will be effective to allow me a dark-room space and a functioning stuido until I can build a proper wall between them. I maybe should have made the dark curtain longer but I did not want it touching the ground so I'll probably load film in the developing reels after dark just to be sure! But I am most excited that i will be able to start shooting now! Last project today is to start working on the foam core window blocks and maybe start setting up some lights! I guess I need furniture too! Tricks!

Darkroom side:

It will do!

With just daylight- considerably more dark! :D

Painting done!

Finally I am ready to block off the darkroom windows and doorway and set up my studio for real:

I will use black paper which i am measuring and cutting to go around the duct work and wiring. I will use tape and black foam core to make hinged and foldable light-blockers for all the windows to control daylight and privacy.

Starting to organize my equipment to other room- lighting equipment on top and cameras and back-drops, assessories on the bottom at the doorway bench: