Black and White Photography

[Era Vera]

So last quarter I took a photography class (the second I've taken in college) and I really enjoyed it. I used a Minolta SRT 101, a Holga, and didn't use a camera for two of these, and processed the film and printed the photos in the darkroom at school.

























There's more photos and some information about where these were taken or of what, and about the printing process for some of them on my blog http://modaveloce.blogspot.com/2009/06/photo-2.html

[Seraphina_de_Sangre]

Your photos are really beautiful. I love film photography, it's kind of sad that everything is going to digital. My college doesn't even do film photography anymore  .
The thing I love most about film is that it takes a long time and is very involved.
you don't get a perfect image through the click of a button, and it's like magic when you put your photo's in the developer.

I really like the first and second to last photo's.

[girlfallingdown]

Wow, these are gorgeous. I especially love the first one.

[ErnestoIsCool]

Sweet photos! I really like the "Snoqualmie Pass" one. Go Washington!

[GlassSpider]

These are beautiful! That first one is stunning! Makes me think of Ansel Adams. I took darkroom photography in school and loved it. I have to say, though, I am spoiled by the instant gratification you get from digital.

[hopskip09]

beautiful photography. I've always wanted to learn how to develop film.

[Era Vera]

Thanks guys!

Seraphina_de_Sangre - I love the process of working with film as well. Spending that much time on a single photo really makes it something special. The picture has to be important to you. And it still feels magical to me, seeing the photo appear.

girlfallingdown - Thanks! I love that one a lot. Although I printed it just a tad light because I needed to have a photo with predominantly white/light tones. If I get a chance, I'd like to reprint it and bring up the dark tones just a little.

ErnestolsCool - Go Washington indeed! We're lucky to live in such a beautiful location. I love how taking photography classes has made me more aware of the incredible and beautiful scenery around me every day. Thanks. I'm especially pleased with the range of tones in the Snoqualmie Pass one. That and I think it's funny that the "P" is pretty much rubbed off on the sign so it looks like it says "Snoqualmie Ass." Didn't even notice it when I took the photo, but you bet it was the first thing my classmates noticed during critique.

GlassSpider - Wow, I am immensely flattered by the comparison to Ansel Adams. Thank you. I agree about the instant gratification, in fact I always bring a digital camera with me while I'm shooting film. Often my mom uses it while I'm shooting, or I'll take the same photo with both cameras, but it's nice to get to see something right away. And for everyday use, I'm all about the digital. No way I can afford shooting film all the time!

hopskip09 - Take a class! Check out what your local community college offers if you're not in school now. I'm going to community college, and the teachers and darkroom are actually excellent.

I just realized I said I used the Minolta for all of these and that is not true. The first two were with the Minolta SRT 101, the next two with a borrowed Holga, another with the Minolta, another Holga, next two no camera, and the last two the Minolta again.