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Direct 4x5 Positives

Been working on Harman Direct Paper positive images with the 4x5.  The FB paper is cut exactly to fit into the 4x5 film holder.  Preflash is necessary to control the harsh contrast of the paper - I use an enlarger with a 50mm lens set to f:22, and expose to just less than 1 second.  Then I shoot (the EV for the paper is like ASA4 or 5) and process in Ilford developer for around 2.5 minutes (or until the blacks are right).  I usually am figuring in a little more exposure that my meter tells me so the highlights kick a little.

Here is a diptych of one of our beautiful cut dahlia flowers.  Direct Paper on the left and digital portrait on the right:

Tower of Rocks

Speed Graphic
Aero Ektar 7"

Homegrown

This family of birds nested and hatched babies right above our kitchen window.  Below are some photos of our garden.  Just a month ago it was barren...  We've had arugula, a few beans, radish, and an (immature) beet.  I'm excited for the carrots and the huge crop of tomato we are sure to have.

07.13.2012

Food Photographs

scapes

beets

plums

Expired film

I shot a roll of Kodak Professional UC 400 (expired in... a long time ago - more than 12 years for sure - probably 1999), and on that roll were a few photos from a wedding thats I guest shot (including 4x5 black and whites) for Abie Livesay (www.boxwoodphotography.com).  Here they are.  Processed by the local Walgreen, and scanned by me on an Epson V600.  The color tones on the film are amazing, and the grain is just perfect in my opinion.  A very tangible film that feels 'alive' when I look at it.  These are without any color adjustments at all.  Also by the way I think I am just going to begin using vegetables as my watermark...

I'm not going to abandon my great digital cameras - no question they do the job more cheaply, quickly, and effectively.  But I can't really ignore how much I like this film.  Too bad I don't have any more of this particular stuff, but I do have some 120 and 35mm Portra on the way...