Enlargers

Yesterday was another day in the darkroom.  First of all I had this brilliant idea the night before to try out the Vivitar enlarger.  I have two:  the Beseler and Vivitar.  The Vivitar is used only for developing black and white prints.  I thought it was about time I tried it out and this way I would find out just how far off I might be in the developing of prints.  I was thinking there was going to be this MAJOR difference!  Alas, no difference, other than the diffused light was 'diffused' and so it took longer to develop a print.  I developed one that I had already printed out on the Beseler.  IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME, and really not even any better.  So after messing around with that for a couple of hours, I continued working on the third roll from Dubrovnik on the Beseler.  Developed three more and called it a day.  I'm sharing my favorite of the three here.  Again, another restaurant front that looked very inviting - "Restaurant Aquarius".

I did check my FB paper and it's good.  No problems there.  I did change the actual development time down to 2 minutes after re-checking with the manufacturer's instructions on Dektol (2-3 minutes).  Made sure I was being more precise on my transferring of the paper from one tray to another, checked my consistency of agitation requirements, etc., etc.

Dubrovnik in Black and White

Was in the darkroom all day yesterday.  I did switch to 8x10s to save money.   I developed 8 different images, and there are one or two that I really like.  However, as I viewed them later, I'm thinking that maybe something is still not quite right.  I am going to double check a few things:  1) my safe light and 2) check my paper for starters.  I feel like they're still just a tad muddy.  I had my #1 critic, my husband, come and look at them.  Of course, he said he didn't think they looked muddy.  Maybe I just haven't had an image with a lot of contrast - ??  I should try an image with both whites and blacks in it that seem to stand out.

I went online and you can find some great info from teachers, Freestyle Photo, Ilford web pages with step by step instructions and/or trouble shooting information.  Printed out a few of those.  Then looked into some of my photography books - and heck! Mine seem okay.  So what am I worried about?  I will do some trouble shooting before I do more printing, however, just for the 'my' record.  I'll scan in my favorite image from yesterday and share it here.

This image was taken at a little art shop that we came across as we took the walk along the top of the wall in the walled city of Dubrovnik (and we only walked half way around as it was very hot that day).  Those are either grape leaves or some other large leafed plant growing along the top of the building while providing some shade.  It was just a quaint little shop.

Today I worked at High Hand Gallery.  It was the second day of our re-hang.  Yesterday the walls were painted by the gallery members.  It was my turn to go in today and help.  Arriving at noon and four hours later I was bushed and actually every one else left and went home.  Long day!