120 and 220 Film

The last two days I have been scanning in old negatives in sizes 120, and as I discovered 220 film format. That was a job in itself. Luckily I do have a small scanner, Epson 4490 Photo Scanner, which does the trick. I mainly bought it for 35 mm film negatives. Who knew I would one day use it for anything more?

The 120 equates to 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", or 6x6 cm. I learned that the larger frames, same width, was still medium format, but at 2 1/4" x 3 1/2" or 6x9 cm. That right there was a lesson in itself for me.

After I scanned in all four sets of negatives, I worked with them in Microsoft Image Editor, and from there, went into Photoshop Elements. I tried removing some of the dust particles, did some hand painting, and fixed some of the brightness, contrast, and/or exposure. Like I said these were pretty old and not in the best condition, but I think even for viewing family history it works. I did print some of the photographic images to see how they would come out - and the better ones look pretty good I must say. A lot of them, my husband hadn't seen before. Especially the ones of his parents probably when they were first married without any children!

Now that I have that project complete, I need to sit down and make out new title cards for the High Hand Gallery, as we have a new signage requirement.

35 mm Film

My sister-in-law had some old negatives of the family she found and I offered to scan them in. I had asked her if they were 35mm and she said no and that she didn't think 35mm had been around 'back in the day'. Well, that got my curiosity up because I knew it had been around for a while. I don't profess to know everything - I'm always learning something new about photography to keep my interest up.

I did a search on the internet and 35mm film was introduced in 1892 by William Dickson and Thomas Edison (using film stock supplied by George Eastman)!! Wow! Thomas Edison - who knew?! It was mostly used for movie films. So it wasn't until 1934 that the 135 (35 mm) was introduced by Kodak in the 'cassette' specifically for still photography use. The cassette was engineered for 'daylight' loading into the camera. Prior to the cassette, photographers had to load the film into reusable cassettes. This new cassette was developed specifically so that it could be used in both Leica and Zeiss Ikon Contax cameras, as well as, the Kodak Retina camera for which it was invented.

So there's your little tidbit of 35 mm film history for the day. There's alot more out there if this has peaked your interest - the internet is just a click away!

It's Too Hot!!

This is the third day and I haven't been in my studio working, other than to clean it up and read my emails!! I think the heat got to me and I was one lazy little girl yesterday. Today I at least went out and got some errands done for my upcoming trip in September. My sisters and I are going to Europe!!! We fly into Venice, Italy, and stay for a day and a half, then on to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kerkira, Curfu, Greece; Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Catanaia, Sicily, Italy; scenic cruising thru the Strait of Messina; Naples, Italy; Civitaveccchi (Rome) Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and then to Barcelona, Spain for 2 nites.

I purchased a new canvas tote to carry both cameras for the trip, bought film, and I'd like to purchase another large San disk and then I should be ready photography- wise - I think. I still have another three and a half weeks - but it's getting here fast.

Tomorrow I need to can the last of the peppers from the garden and get that over with, and then I hope to get back into the dark room and get some Bodie and Yosemite prints done!

Kayaking

I wasn't able to get the photography transfers juried in at High Hand Gallery. I misunderstood the directions, and so I will bring them back in on the first Friday of September.

I honestly have not done a whole lot in my studio the last couple of days. Had to work outside in the yard. Also on Thursday my husband and I took our granddaughter out kayaking! That was fun. She was quite the natural and she did quite well for her first time! We couldn't believe it. But I guess that's youth for you. That's her in the kayak!

I did receive my supplies Thursday that I ordered from Freestyle Photographic Supplies. One of the supplies were some coloring pens for hand-tinting black and white photographs. I practiced on some old RC prints I have stashed in a drawer. The pens will work on both RC paper and Fiber paper. At first I didn't think they were going to work - or that maybe I wasn't that good at hand coloring. However, once the ink dried they actually looked pretty cool.

Tonite I took my neighbor with me to High Hand Gallery for Third Saturday Reception. It was held supposedly in conjunction with the High Hand Nursery's Tomato Festival event. But apparently we missed the tomatoes!

Matting & Framing

Two days ago I spent the afternoon cutting mats for the photography transfers, then cutting the non-glare glass and framing them out. Yesterday I finished up putting the paper backing on all five of the pictures and writing up the description of the transfer process (authenticity labels). This is what reads on the back:

"This original piece of artwork is "one of a kind". It originally starts out from a photo (either film or digital) and is printed onto transfer paper, then pressed onto 140 lb watercolor paper, and the ink is then worked on with water color brushes. Some pictures may have additional water colors added to enhance even more. The artwork has been matted with 4-ply museum quality mat board and non-glare glass. Avoid exposing the print to extreme heat or place on a heat bearing wall."

Today I will submit them for the jury process and hopefully they 'get in'! I don't see why not, but one never knows. I have one more transfer in the works which is a close up of a rose from the garden. My next gig will be to go back into the darkroom and work on more photos from Yosemite and Bodie Ghost Town.

I'm posting one of the black and white photo transfers so you can see the difference between the color and B&W transfers.

Back in the Darkroom

After I worked for two days on the photography transfers, I went back into the darkroom developing some of the photos from Yosemite. There were five in a row of Half Dome that I started developing - got to the first two. These five film shots were taken pretty much in the middle of the day, so next round of developing I will need to do some dodging of the trees in the foreground. Or, maybe, just take out that portion and increase the skyline in the upper foreground. There is a shot of some faint lightening in the background in one of the pics.

Once I cleaned up in the darkroom, I couldn't help myself, and I found a recent photo of some roses I took that are in our backyard, and printed one out. Then I proceeded to work on that for a while. Of course dinner preparation got in the way of that. This time, however, I did tape off the sides with painters blue tape - the thin smooth one. I also picked up some more 140 lb water color paper. (I made a mistake the other day by stating I was using 130 lb paper, when it was 140 lb. Oops! Here's a sample of the original photo and the photo transfer so you can see the difference. I think on this one I didn't click hard enough on 'mirror image', so they're not exactly going the same direction.

I need to take an afternoon and cut some mats for the photo transfers so I can have them ready to get juried in on Wednesday. I think I better do that!

Photography Transfers

Like I said before, I really hate to leave my studio!! The last two days I have been working on transfers. It's easy, it's addictive, and FUN! Yesterday, with the High Hand Gallery's theme for September " Autumn Glow" in mind, I pulled up some Autumn leaves type photos and printed one out and transferred it to watercolor paper. Then I proceeded to work with the ink and a paint brush. Then for added emphasis I added some additional color, not that much, to enhance what was already there. Needless to say I think it looks great. I wished I had taped it off, but I can mat it. It's just that I think it would have looked even better with a margin around the actual photographic transfer image and THEN the mat. The next one I did tape it off with artist's tape, but I basically ruined it because that tape isn't quite right - it's too much adhesive and it tore off the paper. I might have to go with the household blue tape for painters.

All in all, I've completed about 6 or 7 transfers. Some have the photographic image feel, and others are literally paintings. Now I just need to get juried in to see if I'm even going to be allowed to use them at High Hand Gallery. I ran out of 140 lb, cold press watercolor paper (smooth surface), so I'll have to make a run into the local art supplies store. I need to pick up a couple of square and round paint brushes too while I'm at it!

Toning and Transfers

Yesterday and the night before I started playing around with photo transfers and then simultaneously with the Berg Brown/Copper Toning solution. First lets talk about the Toning process.

Mixing the toning solution is probably the hardest part of the whole process. The water needs to be between 65 & 70 degrees. I've gotten a little smarter on the water part and started refrigerating some to use in mixing my chemicals v. using ice to cool the mixtures AFTER they've been mixed. It's a lot easier. You mix Part A with Part B (by the way the mixture color isn't dark brown like I thought it would be, it's blue!) there can be some crystallized sediment and you will need to warm up the bottles to melt them. But in addition, there is also some stringy sediment floating around once you mix it and you will need to strain the solution before you use it. That's what took so long. It kept clogging up my funnel strainer and it probably took about 15 minutes to get it done.

I made the test strips with various times: 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, and 15 minutes, as well as a full image. I was going for the so-called 'copper' look. Well, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It's coppery-brown, but not metallic copper like I was thinking. However, I did like some of the results. I would probably stick with possibly 30 seconds and maybe even make it 45 seconds. That length of time is more of a very subtle sepia and still leaves some blacks/grays. I want to order some other toners, especially the selenium toner which adds to the life of your photographic image, as well as makes some of the blacks even blacker - so I hear. I'm not much into the blue toner.

On to the transfers. Instead of trying to come up with empty sheets of labels to use as the transfer paper, the instructions from Jill Enfield's Photo Imaging book said you could also use the dry mounting tissue protective sheets because they too are waxy. The first round using label sheets I was able to get one fairly good image. Using the dry mount sheets it got even better. BTW, I'm just using my old HP Office Jet because I don't want to ruin or clog up my Epson 2400. This is a great process for me because most transfers require Laser jet printers and I don't have one of those. I'm also having better results with 130 lb cold press water color paper. I tried different weights and types. You want a smooth surface for the transfer. I transferred some B&W photography as well as color. Also after the transfer you can take a wet paint brush and do some smoothing out of the image and/or add more water colors. I haven't had to add anything yet. I also made two of the same image and they came out different each time which is great! The same photo with two originals!

The only thing about both of these processes is that I don't want to leave my studio!! ; )

Darkroom Supplies

Friday I felt like a squirrel out gathering my nuts for the winter! Translation: Buying supplies for my darkroom and studio. I'm finding that I will now have to purchase the ink for my Epson 2400 online most likely from Freestyle since the places I normally buy my supplies from in Sacramento are not carrying the ink anymore. I guess that would basically be easier for me anyway. I don't know what it was about the Epson 2400 it must have been a short-lived model because it seems to be left out of many printing conversations. I guess one of these days I'll have to replace it, but it's been a great printer for me and I've never had any issues. KNOCK ON WOOD!

I also bought a new camera bag for an upcoming trip to Europe. I needed one that would carry two cameras and accessories. I had seen a woman with a banana shaped sling bag recently. You could carry it on your back side, and then wehen you wanted to take a camera out, you could pull it around to the front of you, unzip it, and voila! I saw one and tried it out, however, it didn't have alot of padding so I could see me with a lot of bruises, and it could really only hold one camera. Nice thought though. So I found a canvas bag, with lots of padding, and the insides that the cameras go in actually pulls out as a bag, and you are left with a travel bag of sorts. So I got that one. That way I can also put my wallet in it and it too can sling to the back. It also has handles to carry like a heavy duty purse when my neck gets tired! ; ) The brand name is Giottos Group. I will try putting my cameras in it today and see how it feels. I haven't had time until now.

Darkroom Day

Today I was able to stay in my studio without much interruption since my husband went fishing!! I worked on matting and framing a commissioned piece and that took me about an hour and a half, just because I kept getting flecks off the frame onto the matting and it took five tries to finally get it sealed without dust! Eeesh!

Then I mixed up some fresh chemicals as I was all out of Dektol or so I thought. Anyhoo, got that done and proceeded to make my five contact sheets for the film I developed the other day. Looks like I got some great shots of Bodie Ghost Town and Yosemite. I also worked on some digital prints for more cards and 5x7s for the High Hand Gallery.

I wanted to start on the using the copper toner process, but I need a couple more Datatainers to store it in, and possibly one more smaller developing tray just for the toner. I have a feeling it's gonna stain - hence it's own tray.

Here are a couple more pics. One of mountain climbers which is a very stark photo of the granite against the blue sky, and one of the sunset at Bridgeport!

Yosemite in Black and White

Yesterday when I posted I was unable to add the photos right away to my blog for whatever reason?? My PC was scanning and/or the fact that we have satellite - take your pick! So I added them later in the day.

Yesterday I did get in the darkroom and developed the 5 rolls of film! Looks like I got some good ones - sweet! I already cut the negatives and put them in sleeves, so now I need to go back into the darkroom and make contact sheets. Some film photographers don't make contact sheets, but for me it's like a visual library. I don't have to guess or try to remember. So I'll do that next and go from there. And again I haven't worked with the brown/copper toner yet that I was talking about. We've just been busy - outside of my studio. But I already do have some prints I can try the toner out on. I will just need to soak them before I run them thru that process. (So many fun things to do, and so little time!) I would like to have something different to put into the High Hand Gallery for the holidays. If that is to happen, I need to present one for jurying first though.

When we went thru Yosemite last Friday, it was a gorgeous day for anyone to see - first time or not. There were happy little puffy clouds, blue skies, and later the thunder heads rolled in. We missed the actual rain and hail storm and we lucked out with the aftermath of bigger puffy, silver-lined clouds and great shadows with the sunshine. We must have stopped 20 times to get out and take photos and look thru the binoculars. It was a pretty awesome day to end our trip.

In the Darkroom!!

We returned from a week's camping in Bridgeport, California. What a great trip that was. Because California has had so much rainfall this year it was so green and lush all along Highway 395 to our destination of Bridgeport. We chose that area because it was so close to a lot of places we wanted to visit: Devil's Post Pile, Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town, and Yosemite to name the bigger attractions! The weather was great although it ran the whole gamut from 40 degrees in the morning, warming up to 95+ in the afternoons and back down in the evenings. Needless to say we made several clothes changing - at least I did! And we gave BLOOD in Bridgeport. The mosquitoes were loving all the fresh blood in town! US!!

We really didn't have much down time as we were so busy checking out the sites! Rode our bikes one day into town and went to the Bridgeport Museum that is located in the Old School House. That had to be the BEST museum with the most memorabilia we had ever been to.

The main reason of the trip for me was going to see Bodie Ghost Town again. This time we went on the Stamping Mill Tour which is the best part of the whole Bodie State Park. The first time we visited Bodie, the tour wasn't open at the time. Today I'm posting a couple of color digital prints I took at Bodie.

Needless to say I have five rolls of film to develop: two from Oregon and three from Bodie and Yosemite. I just finished mixing the developing chemicals - that's my plan of attack for today for starters.