around the corner

A few days ago I got Sally Mann’s wonderful book “Hold Still” in the mail and already read the whole of it. I found it inspiring, funny and at times a little grim, which in my view is the perfect combination. I loved getting insights into her workflow and I was amazed at her honesty especially with regard to her own insecurities. Having been a great admirer of her work for years I certainly wouldn’t have thought that she faces the same crippling self-doubt as the rest of us! But then … we are all just mere mortals, I guess.

These last few days have been very exciting since every day the post brought something related to photography into the house. Apart from a few books there was also an enlarger lens, some darkness (as in material for darkroom curtains), paper and a focus finder. The enlarger itself, a Durst M670 VC, is already here too and has taken up residence in one of the wardrobes. The final problem is properly light proofing the darkroom which is what I’m working on currently. I’m hoping that I will finally manage to convince the curtains to stay up soon and then I can get going with the printing. I have already decided which pictures I will try to print first and I’m very much looking forward to printing again after a few years without making any silver prints at all. The darkroom will allow me to experiment a bit more in previously unexplored directions (lith prints, paper negatives from pinholes etc) and give me the opportunity to get more control over the quality of my prints.

In shooting terms the last few days have been relatively unproductive though. The rain and/or cold (argh!!!) has mostly kept me inside and I only shot a couple of rolls in between, one roll of APX 400 in the Leica and the other Portra 400 in the Mamiya. I will try to shoot more Portra in the Mamiya in the coming months actually, because I have some plans for this combination. Since I haven’t shot that many rolls in the Mamiya yet I still get slightly mixed up with my Rollei workflow. The difference lies in the lack of EV scale on the Mamiya which requires me to do one more little step with the light meter. I still often forget and have to get the light meter out again after putting it away too quickly. In general I also point the Mamiya less at people, although I still occasionally do. The size of it is just intimidating and so I use it more for static things. I like working with it though and think it will help me see a few things I might ignore when I’m walking around with the Leica or the Rollei.

Today I will show you the rest of the pictures from last July. Yep, I’m about half a year behind and I’m perfectly fine with that. All of these were shot on HP5+ and developed in Caffenol-CH in the Jobo. I have since then moved on to HC-110, because CCH is a bit weak in the shadows when rotary processing. HC-110 in the Jobo is so economical that I’ll probably get about 250 rolls out of one bottle, so it’s very likely that most of the black and white pictures from this year will be developed in it. So far I’m pleased with the results and I still have lots of it left to become really comfortable with it. It also keeps a while, which actually makes it possible to use the same bottle for a year!

So far I have also developed more than 100 rolls with the Jobo and I’m very happy with it too, also for black and white processing. With the Jobo and HC-110 I get even and consistent results, which is something I never quite managed with stand-development. The only problem when using HC-110 in the Jobo is the minimum amount of developer and development times. For the Jobo a 15% time reduction is needed which means that with the standard dilution B times can get a little too short for some films – including HP5+. In this case dilution D or E would be indicated, but only with dilution D the full tank capacity can be used. Since dilution D is not commonly used I have to calculate the times myself and it can all get a little confusing! But then, everyone finds HC-110 a little confusing at first because it’s so versatile. Also, short development times aren’t necessarily bad! There isn’t much patience needed with 5-6min development times and I don’t need to mix from powder either, which saves more time still. As for the Jobo part of the equation: I definitely wouldn’t want to miss my robotic friend, since he has made things even more efficient, consistent and painless!

But enough of these technicalities, let’s move on to the pictures!

All pictures taken with: Leica M6, Zeiss ZM C-Biogon 35mm f/2.8.
HP5+ / Caffenol-CH.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Sneaking around the corner?

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Twins?

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Looking at the river.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

They were lagging behind doing nothing and then ran to catch up with their group. By the way, the HP5+ tonality rocks!

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

A rather common sight around here. I guess they regard it as a picturesque background.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

This is what happens when you take a picture of spider man on black and white film.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Mid air.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Taking in the scenery.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Snack break.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

More twins. Just not born on the same day it seems.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

There was an abandoned mirror, so I asked my husband to pose for me.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015Jumped out from behind the wall!

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Cute.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Happy rich people?

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

View into a bakery.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Dress shopping in a bakery?

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Rushing about.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Tourist group following an umbrella.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Modern kids.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

We stopped for a coffee and a juice.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Feeding the little one.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Focussed on the coffee. It’s a dark corner.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Strange position!

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

“I don’t go anywhere without my teddy”

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Another instalment of “people pointing at things”.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Everyone needs a friend …

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

To salvation.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Practicing his tricks.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

While she was practicing hers.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

More twins?

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Wait for me!

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Having a look around.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Let’s dance!

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

Lots of kisses on her top, but of course a little hard to see at this size. Some pictures just don’t work on the blog.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

In the background the new bus terminal that couldn’t be opened yet due to insufficient safety measures in case of a fire. Reminded me of Berlin.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

More kisses. Individualism is overrated.

Comments

  • lots to like in this set of photos

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