So Doc has encouraged me to start shooting on film, and I’ve discovered that I really like developing film (we’ve been using the Noisebridge darkroom). Like… really really like. That’s the best part of the whole process for me. I don’t know why, maybe it’s my background in chemistry? But it also seems that I don’t care so much about the final product… I could develop roll after roll of film, and then just toss it into a corner and consider it done with. OK perhaps that’s a mischaracterization; even though that’s what I’ve been doing, I actually am interested in seeing the photos I take. Somewhat.
I’ve also been enjoying reading up on all the science and chemistry behind it. It is surprisingly simple. I guess I expected there to be more to it since photography seemed like the most mystifying and mind-blowing process to me when I was a child. Haha, wow kids sure are stupid; they don’t understand basic chemistry or optics! I thought it was cool to learn that film is made by suspending light-reactive crystals in gelatin and then smearing that onto clear plastic backing. No more mystery there, I suppose.
I’ve been wanting to either scan or print these guys myself, but haven’t the time, and thus the film pile grows. So finally I just took the pile into Marin Filmworks and had them scan it for me.
These are awesome. Was it just one roll of shots, or a few? Love the last four!
The first four are off my first roll evar, Earl Grey ISO 100. The last one is off one of the Tri-X ISO 400, notice how it has the world-famous signature underdeveloped band on top. A few of the other underdeveloped-band ones turned out cool-ISH but didn’t make the cut for this silly little gallery.