Advanced Black and White Photography

[jeffreyg]

Since the dust issue has been thoroughly covered, I would like to add a simple but important piece of advice. I don't know which film holders you will be using but be sure there is film in them and once it is exposed indicate it so as not to double expose or develop unexposed sheets. Also keep some record as to your camera settings so you can evaluate your results.

I agree on the faster film. Learn the nuances of one film and chemistry before switching around.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

[keithwms]

Nice to have you in good humor Ralph.

+1

[jp498]

If it's a portrait photo, the dust will not be in the sky, but somewhere impossible to clean up, like on an eyeball or eyelash.

I keep film holders in anti-static ziplock bags when not in the camera (like electronic components would be shipped in). Gotta keep the camera inside clean too; every time you move the bellows in or out, you are pushing airborn dust around.

Tri-x is sometimes favored over T-max in school because it fixes and washes a lot faster as their is often limited lab/class time scheduled. Tmax needs twice as much time to fix and needs time for the pink to diffuse out in the wash water. It also is less tolerant of inconsistent timing/agitation during development. A traditional film doesn't need that. Tri-x, tmax400, hp5+ are all good film.

[pgomena]

Another nod for Tri-X for the reasons mentioned above. You will find yourself in situations where the film speed is helpful. A 50 ISO film offers no advantages beyond price. A good Tri-X negative will show no grain in an 11x14 enlargement and is more forgiving in exposure and development. It is my go-to film for 4x5, followed by FP4+.

Peter Gomena

[aaronmichael]

Thanks everyone for the great responses about film, keeping dust off of negatives, and film holders. The film holders we have to have one side that is marked white for non exposed and black for exposed, which is good because I'd probably forget what I shot and end up making double exposures unintentionally. Our professor told us that the dust ends up in the sky because when the film is in the camera, the sky is at the bottom and the gravity makes dust fall to the bottom of the negative. Made sense to me. He's quite experienced with the 4x5 so I trust whatever he says - hahah. I'll be sure to post if I have any more questions or if anyone else has any more advice, I'd love to hear it! Thanks again.

[aaronmichael]

We have cameras at school to use but this looks awesome and is so tempting to buy!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...816503422.html

I need to start looking around my room for things to sell

[markbarendt]

Our professor told us that the dust ends up in the sky because when the film is in the camera, the sky is at the bottom and the gravity makes dust fall to the bottom of the negative. Made sense to me. He's quite experienced with the 4x5 so I trust whatever he says - hahah.

If he asks on a test that's the answer that will get you the grade.

I'm betting he's not a physics professor though, and I'd suggest keeping an open mind about where dust might land and why you might see it in one place and not another.

Have fun.