WirtzWorld Loc: SE WI

In the days of yore we (in the royal vernacular) would shoot nudes, or really everything, on long acetate rolls of silvered luxury. These films were a real pleasure of life that one doesn't forget. Like a perfectly ripe raspberry or tomato, ya, like that, the smell of the developer and especially the fix was sublime. The little radio in the corner with electrical tape over the tiny lights playing something to develop by. The soft hum of the air filter. Dark coolness in the middle of a hot summer's day or a cool refuge in the middle of a hot and humid night. Yes, friends, it was our fortress of solitude - the darkroom. If I could go back, would I? Maybe for a day or two, I guess. I wonder at the cost of it's operation these days. I guess digital is really better in most ways, the ability to take unlimited frames, the ease of editing, the image quality (in at least the better cameras). But we do miss all of those aforementioned tactile delights. Alas, the progression of life, yeah?

We also miss the contact sheet, now replaced by the 'gallery'. What even is a loupe good for anymore - we wore them on a lanyard on our neck so we wouldn't have to look for them each time we wanted to preview a certain frame. Indeed, some may say "what even is a loupe?" Maybe there are some among us who do not know of loupes and think my reminisces are the stuff of medieval fairy tales. Well, here to refute those thoughts are (digital) reproductions of actual contact sheets. This is how we once previewed and selected shots to print and display. Oh, yes print. On an enlarger, and in liquid. But that's chapter 2. For today, please enjoy these contact sheets of one of my shoots with Michelle. The contrast and exposure might be off by printing standards, but if the image was viewable, we used them because paper was money. Finished prints are viewable in Nudes No. 034 -039 and Nudes no. 041 and 042.

John7199 Loc: Eastern Mass.

I remember it well. (the darkroom)

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Ah Yes!! Brings back some great, and some not-so-great, memories!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Somehow or another, at some time or another, I miss contact sheets. Also, sometimes I worry about myself.

John, I think I’ll just be content viewing yours.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

In the dark recesses of my storage area, in boxes likely buried under other boxes, I have binders full of contact sheets. A dim memory recalls that I even had a "template" or guide for my films strips to keep them aligned and properly ordered. Ah, those were the days.

Side note: my wife's wedding present to me was a complete set of darkroom equipment, including enlarger. The problem she had, as it turns out, is that the only place I had available during our salad days was our one windowless bathroom. A rolled up towel under the door was all that was necessary to turn it completely dark. Running water, safelight, trays, etc. were all handy.

But it was our only bathroom. . .

WirtzWorld Loc: SE WI

See that?? Now that's a memory to savor.

Good one, Fred.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

I never had my own darkroom. In high school I had access to the school's equipment, and while in university I had access to a darkroom that I could never have afforded myself. It sure was fun to use the few times I went in there. The best part for me was being able to customize the print aspect ratios (eg, tall narrow tree shot) instead of the standard sizes from a pint service, and having access to a drum print drier to get either glossy or matte finish prints.

I did have a developing tank to at least do film/negatives at home. I recall using a changing bag to load the film onto the reel of the tank... and for some reason I closed my eyes while doing this!!!

John7199 Loc: Eastern Mass.

When I was doing darkroom, the closet in my room was narrow but deep. It made a perfect darkroom. I tried solizeration (sp?) where you flash a white light on the paper in the enlarger. Some came out pretty good. During that time I was working at the Boston Globe and I used to go down to the darkroom and get some tips.

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

Now that was a very cool post, thank you. Now everyone list their enlarger and favorite lens:
Philips PCS 130 (I really liked it)
Fujinon EX 75mm and Componon S 50mm

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

How well I remember! And the smell of the chemicals...The anticipation of seeing the prints come to life, knowing you were spot on with your f-stop, shutter, lighting, etc, but still in the back of your mind, that nagging feeling that the negs are to dark or to light, oh yes, I remember it well.
I had a Bessler MCRX, Schneider 50, 75, 125, and 150 lenses.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

My darkroom as a teen perhaps 9th grade was my 2' deep closet. At one end I made a shelf and had three small trays for direct prints from 120 films. Had a tank for developing the film. The Chem Lab at school is where the photo club met once a month. As the song goes... "those were the days my friend, thought they would never end."

Toby

I remember. It leaked light, no temperature control, drain or water supply close by. Had some fun but compared to today it was really expensive, time consuming and a pain in the neck. Not sure if I would be shooting today if it were not for digital.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

👍👍👍

Brings back memories

Chuck

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Beautiful contact sheet. Nice shoot that day.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Very cool. Does bring back memories!