Topic: 2014

[DonkeyDave]

might be the year of silver?

just got a Durst 707, with 50 and 75 Rodenstock lenses for half a tank of diesel in money terms

time to dust off some negs and dust off skills that haven't been used for 15 years...

anyone else got photographic plans for 2014?


still after a 5x7 enlarger if anyone comes across one

[astrobeck]

might be the year of silver?
just got a Durst 707, with 50 and 75 Rodenstock lenses for half a tank of diesel in money terms
anyone else got photographic plans for 2014?

Guess it depends on what size that vehicle's tank of diesel is, if it's a good deal... you aren't feeding one of those uber large Earth movers are you   

My main goal for 2014 is to do some lith printing and wet plates....
oh, and go to Yellowstone!

[DonkeyDave]

no we are eco-do-dahs here, small tank, small car - we are mostly wood powered in the winter, with solar in the summer

[02Pilot]

My plan, vague though it may be, is to to shoot more medium format. My go-to is, and probably will remain, 35mm, but the possibilities of MF are increasingly in the back of my mind when shooting the smaller format.

I acquired a Rolleiflex early this year and have been shooting with it occasionally (fewer than ten rolls over the course of the year). I've got several other MF cameras, but one's a pinhole, one's a Brownie Hawkeye with the lens reversed, and one's a very simple Ciro-flex TLR with somewhat limited capabilities; in other words, the Rolleiflex is the first to offer me the opportunity to produce the consistent image quality I was looking for without the various limitations of the other cameras mentioned. I need to use it more.

And should I happen to get another MF camera of similar quality but more easily portable (I'm thinking folder), or get really crazy and build the 6x17 I've been mulling, I'll really have no excuse.

[jharr]

I want to finish building my 8x10 pinhole and do more tri-color gum printing. I have two teen-aged boys, so this is the height of arrogant ambition that I think I might be able to spend more time on art. Dream BIG!

James

[Adam Doe]

I hope to get an enlarger in working order and start printing at home. Also, I will pursue my never-ending goal of finding time to shoot.

[KevinAllan]

I have the equipment for darkroom printing of negs up to 6*7cm and a semi-permanent darkroom - I just need to find an "oomph" to force me to use it more in 2014. I'm thinking maybe I should decline to scan b&w negs and go straight to darkroom prints, because once they are scanned there is less of an incentive to produce a darkroom version.

The other goal for 2014 is to prepare a portfolio for submission to the RPS for Licentiate status ... mostly to give me a focus for work as I'm not tremendously enamoured of anything with "Royal" in the title.

[Ed Wenn]

I need to motivate myself to press the clicky thing more often in 2014. 2013 was probably my slowest year for photography since I rediscovered film in around 2000. I blame music-making.

Must do better. Will do better.

[Urban Hafner]

Two things for me. Number one: Shoot more slide film (see http://52rolls.net/2013/12/17/2014-the-year-of-slide-film-well-maybe/) and number two: finish the darkroom. Well the house where the darkroom is going to be isn't done yet (today we talked with the craftsman about the placement of the power outlets, etc.) so it will take 6 months to 1 year until it's done. But I'm already looking forward to it.

[Andrej K]

Very many plans...
Get the hang of carbon transfer
Make at least one trip to France to continue my work on Cistercian abbeys
Print more
Find a Durst 138 in good condition

[Paul Mitchell]

1. Develop and scan images made over the last 6 months

2. Make a visit to a very good friend of mine who has just had a purpose built darkroom constructed in his garden

3. Do more drawing and painting

[charles binns]

Going to Cambodia and Bangkok early next year and no doubt a few other places.  I'll take my holgas with me.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Like Ed, I can look back on one of the slooowest of years for film shooting.  Tho' nonetheless quite happy with some of the work I've done.

Too much going on, and these past two months my kitchen and workshop being rebuilt from the foundations up.  Almost done on that.  So for next year just to get out more - and a trip back to Bologna come springtime.

[Moiz]

How bizarre, I just won a Durst M605 with a 50mm and 75mm yesterday for around the same price so my 2014 will hopefully be very similar to yours Dave.

[jojonas~]

after getting to know polypan f this year I've ordered a can of kodak vision 3 500T to play with in the coming year.

also, I'm turning 30 next year so I might want to get myself a special present

[Francois]

I feel just like Ed. 2013 has been abysmal in terms of photography for me. I'm lucky if I shot four rolls in the year... I really need some work (as in a job) to get this going. I'm getting more than kinda broke these days.

But what I also need is some sort of project to look forward to. Something to bring some enthusiasm back.

I also need to custom build some parts for my new Omega enlarger. Clean-up the darkroom. Get rid of a ton of junk.

Maybe start doing some cyanos... or something like that.

[limr]

My 365 project this year means I've actually shot more than I have in a very long time, and I'd love to keep it up in 2014. I don't really feel like going through withdrawal

I'd set a goal of finally developing my own black and white in 2013 and I accomplished that. For 2014, I'd like to wet print for the first time. Well, other than the pinhole shots I do on Harman Direct Positive paper. Setting up my own darkroom is still out of reach for the forseeable future, but I've got connections at a local high school, and I also work at a community college that still teaches film photography, so maybe I can get a little darkroom time.

And finally, I'm going to be participating in a small gallery show called "Polaroid Junkies" in April, so I'll be spending the first part of 2014 getting ready for that (and hopefully not burning through my tiny stash of 3000B!). I hope to get a lot better at my emulsion transfers. I've got lots of Fujifilm on my Christmas wish list

And as always, WASTE MOAR FILMS!

[FiatluX]

Have to get around to building or finding a 4X5 light mixing box (the 6X9 was in it already) that is missing for my Durst 1200 Multigrade that I literally saved on the edge of a dumpster/skip.

More shooting too!

[original_ann]

Looks like a nice theme!  I've just received and set up an Omega D2 and hope to refamiliarize myself with printing.  I also have some xray film in my freezer and want to get an opportunity to test and develop a a flow that works. 

[Charles Whitaker]

I'm thinking seriously of setting up a darkroom again (20 year break), and printing what I've been shooting of my wife's family over the last 25 years. I'd like to leave a legacy -- something that will last. The big problem I'm having is my own inertia. I have to get (most likely build) a sink, a stand to put the sink on in the shower stall, tap into the plumbing in the bathroom, etc. Stay tuned.

[Alan]

I'm just hoping to shoot more film in 2014 !

the volume has dropped this year 

[Late Developer]

1. Focus more on something. This year has had way too many stresses and distractions
2. Work on developing a photographic style
3. Play more (and learn more) guitar

[Bryan]

As always I'll work on improving my skills.  I also need to finally start using my 4x5 camera that I picked up earlier this year.  The only thing holding me back now is getting what I need to stand develop the 4x5 film.

I look forward to wasting lots of film during my travels in 2014.

[gsgary]

Ive had quite a good year, shot 200 feet of HP5, 20 rolls of Fomapan400 and about 10 rolls of apx100  but hoping to shoot more in 2014

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Tapatalk 2

[johnha]

The first half of my year was finding and organising processing all my 'backlog' of exposed 120 rolls, some going back 10 years and then shooting most of my expired film stock. Having acquired a Pentax 6x7 outfit, I need to get out and about with it properly and must slim down my gear (I have far too many ebay finds that need test rolls running through them).

[rpmdrd]

Shoot more Film. Learn to develop B&W. Invest in Developing materials. Make first print.

[Cadha13]

Do more Cosplay photos with the ETRSi and RB67.

Perfect processing with Rodinal and D76. More B&W work on medium format.

Finish building 3 lens (wide, normal, telephoto) , 3 120 film backs, and one body for RB67 and ETRSi systems.

Do more push processing on C41 and HP5 400 to 1600 photos.

Do caffeinol processing on 120 HP5 from the ETRSi.

Do Stand Processing.

Buy and use more 120 films. FP4+ and HP5 for B&W and Ektar 100 and Portra 400 for color. 

Shoot more Fuji Instant film and possibly buy some Impossible Films for the Minolta Instant Pro, SLR 680 and SX-70 cameras.

[Alan]

1. Focus more on something. This year has had way too many stresses and distractions
2. Work on developing a photographic style
3. Play more (and learn more) guitar

hey paul, I think of the three #2 will be the most difficult

i think it would take a lot of consideration first!

<ponder > how do you execute that without copying what has already been done . . . </ponder >

[Late Developer]

1. Focus more on something. This year has had way too many stresses and distractions
2. Work on developing a photographic style
3. Play more (and learn more) guitar

hey paul, I think of the three #2 will be the most difficult

i think it would take a lot of consideration first!

<ponder > how do you execute that without copying what has already been done . . . </ponder >

Alan, you make a very good point.

However, as what I shoot tends to be dictated to where I am, what kit I have with me and what time I have available, it's unsurprising that a "style" is difficult to develop.  I'm hoping that if I can have one, solid focus for 2014 (whatever it may be) I can introduce a degree of consistency that has been lacking.

During our trip to drive Route 66, I had two 35mm bodies a small selection of oprime lenses, XP2 Super and Provia 100 and precious little else - for 17 days.  Despite the realisation that I could have opted for my Hasselblad 500c/m (as we were working out of the boot of the car), I was delighted NOT to have too much choice.  Perhaps there's a lesson in there.......?

[DonkeyDave]

less is more

I've shot almost exclusively with one camera/one lens, for last 2 years

300 shots of FP4 this year - would be ok except its 5x4 sheets!

[02Pilot]

...what I shoot tends to be dictated to where I am, what kit I have with me and what time I have available, it's unsurprising that a "style" is difficult to develop.  I'm hoping that if I can have one, solid focus for 2014 (whatever it may be) I can introduce a degree of consistency that has been lacking.

During our trip to drive Route 66, I had two 35mm bodies a small selection of oprime lenses, XP2 Super and Provia 100 and precious little else - for 17 days.  Despite the realisation that I could have opted for my Hasselblad 500c/m (as we were working out of the boot of the car), I was delighted NOT to have too much choice.  Perhaps there's a lesson in there.......?

I've had similar thoughts. I've read many times now about "One camera/one lens/one emulsion/one something over a fixed period of time" projects, and one of the consistent themes seems to be that the removal of equipment choices tends to be viewed as an unexpected positive in terms of promoting creativity.

I saw this a little when I was in Europe for two weeks this past summer with only my Canon P, 35/50/90 lenses, Tri-X and Portra 160. While it was liberating in a sense, I feel like it would have been more effective with even greater limitation; the flipside, of course, is that I feel like there were photos I would have missed out on had I only had a single lens (likely a 50, my preferred focal length). In that case, the priority of adequately recording the trip was more important than working on skill development. (An earlier trip with only a Rollei 35 was more freeing still, but at that time I had fewer cameras to choose from; I'm not sure I could force myself to make that choice again.)

Personally, I'd have to start small - maybe one camera, one lens, one film for a month, and not a month that was going to encompass any sort of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Even then the rest of my cameras would be taunting me constantly.

[Phil Bebbington]

I have to say, I have given up on setting goals as I constantly disappoint myself. My intention is to try and keep at it and perhaps, just perhaps shoot more close to home

I find it interesting that there are a few that want to develop a style. I have found over the years that having a semi opaque vague ideal of what I am trying to achieve has kind of resolved that. I'm probably not a true filmwaster - anything but 

[Moiz]

less is more

I've shot almost exclusively with one camera/one lens, for last 2 years

300 shots of FP4 this year - would be ok except its 5x4 sheets!

I cannot imagine shooting that much film! I've only shot about 20 sheets in total this year and half of them are still waiting to be processed.

I think I'd like spend more time getting up and out early purely for the sake of shooting. I'm still too much in the habit of shooting when it coincides with something else, like a holiday. I also want to build a more robust 10x8 box camera to replace the foamboard one I built earlier in the year.

[mickld]

I've finally got a permanent part time darkroom in place to allow printing from as big as 6x7 negs up to 12x16. Over the course of 2013 we extended over our garage (my old darkroom), and converted part of it into a small utility room (my new darkroom) which - although smaller - is much cleaner and more usable. And plumbed by experts, not by me

So my 2014 intentions are to;

1. print more - bit of a 2013 back log to work through,
2. possibly dabble with RA4 colour printing - depends if I can do it at lower temps in trays rather than tubes,
3. explore table top still life photography so I don't have any excuses about bad weather and lack of time stopping me from wasting film.

[DonkeyDave]

Hey Moiz it's called filmwasters for a reason 

seriously though, equivalent in shot terms to 9 rolls of 35mm.....
or 30 minutes in digital terms

you need to break eggs to make a cake

[Moiz]

Touche Dave, touche.

Although, it was more amazement at the amount of processing you've done because time spent in the darkroom developing 300 sheets of 5x4 is not even in the same league as processing 9 rolls of 35mm.

And don't stop baking, whatever you do!

[DonkeyDave]

I shot 4 sheets before 7:30 this morning...

I keep 6 film holders permanently loaded with FP4 (12 shots)

that way I'm always ready, otherwise the effort to load film is a hinderance to image making

film processing is a zen process, I have a comfy chair and a great stereo in the darkroom, and nobody bothers me - bliss (although its a bit nippy this time of year and my 1kw electric heater struggles)

[Late Developer]

Interesting to also hear Phil's views on this as Phil, in common with a small handful of others on FW, has an almost instantly recognisable style which, when combined with his usual subject matter, means I can spot a Phil Bebbington shot a mile off. Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows? All I can say is that condensing down the process, the kit, the film stock and having a much greater focus on subject matter all appears to help develop a recognisable style.

The intention isn't to get into a rut or only ever shoot the same things with one camera, one lens and one film as that would be excruciatingly limiting after a while - but it could be a good discipline and learning curve for the short to medium term.

[ManuelL]

I think most people have a subconcious style that is masked beyond recognition by the diversity of subjects and techniques they are using. I include myself in this. Looking at my Flickr stream I could never say the images come from the same person. But looking at selected pictures that are more meaningful to me I can see some common elements. Limiting the equipment, subject and technique can help identifying and developing the own style.
I am always drawn back and forth by this. On the one hand I would like to develop a recognizeable style. On the other hand it is great fun to experiment with different things. Maybe I'm just not quite there yet. Let's see what the next year brings.
One thing I have set myself to do is get more experience with the 4x5 camera. I had it out in the field 4-5 times now and I feel like I must be one of the clumsiest large format photographer on the planet (juggling the backpack in one hand, pulling out the dark slide with the other and watching the dark cloth soar away in the wind).

[Verian]

2014 has rather exciting things ahead for me I think. There’s the FW magazine of course, and a rather vague plan to get some continuous lighting so that I can do some portraits with the Bronica ETRS, then there’s more developing and printing, both of which I need to improve, there’s the camera chain images that will be appearing for several months, very interested to see how they come out and I have to take mine for it as well. I also have a load of cameras waiting to be used for the first time, and my first ever shots with FP-3000B, then there’s 52 Rolls which I need to formulate a plan for, 52 different cameras? 1 camera? Mix and match? Probably whichever camera is closest to hand. I also want to do some pinhole and mess about with long exposures. Lots and lots to do

[Alan]

interesting thoughts on developing a style,
limiting the gear kinda makes sense.

I would agree also with paul regarding Phil's "Style"
there definitely is one there 

[Alan]

exploring new avenues like tabletop still life's etc.
can always lead to shooting more film and increasing the learning curve . . .

something to consider for 2014 

[nachtiris]

my plan for 2014:

• take a picture on film every day
• shoot more on 120
• look out for such a lens: Sankyo Kohki f. Bronica S2 135/2,3 Komura (oh it's such a beauty) and shoot more portrait with my buroni
• maybe do my first development (caffenol?)

[Francois]

I always find it somewhat funny when people talk about developing a style in the same way you learn to make cake. For me this is a bit of nonsense as I discovered it's not the way I work. For me, style is more acquired through "osmosis" than anything else. You look at images and slowly their content permeates you and your own personal style begins to change without you ever noticing it...

[Phil Bebbington]

Interesting thoughts, Paul. Having a recognisable style could = repetitive, I guess  I have to confess to giving it little thought. I have unwittingly restricted myself to two cameras in recent years - note to self, sell the flexbody and 600SE. I tend to know what I like and what I am looking for - this tends to be at the exclusion of experimentation, which might be seen as bad  I think I am looking for something that I am unsure about. I often see glimpses of what it might be and then I'm dashed.

The  style thing is interesting and potentially bitter-sweet.

[Late Developer]

Interesting thoughts, Paul. Having a recognisable style could = repetitive, I guess  I have to confess to giving it little thought. I have unwittingly restricted myself to two cameras in recent years - note to self, sell the flexbody and 600SE. I tend to know what I like and what I am looking for - this tends to be at the exclusion of experimentation, which might be seen as bad  I think I am looking for something that I am unsure about. I often see glimpses of what it might be and then I'm dashed.

The  style thing is interesting and potentially bitter-sweet.

Hi Phil.

Firstly (and sincerely) do not ever change your style when it comes to shooting scenes of the American midwest on your SWC. Your photos on here, Flickr and elsewhere are fantastic and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I can't get enough of them.  The "good or bad" reference I made was was not from the viewer's perspective but from the photographer's.

Having a selection of kit has allowed me to experiment what feels like almost constantly. As a result, although it's been fun, I'm seldom satisfied with the end result and always looking for something I can't quite seem to find. The photos I shot on R66 aren't in your league but I enjoyed every moment of shooting them and having to make the most of the relatively limited kit I'd taken proved to be part of the enjoyment. Which got me thinking......

Would I dispense with any of my current kit if I don't have to? Er.....no. It's just got other uses and will have to wait its turn until I've got to where I want to be with what I have in my bag just now. How long will it have to wait? As long as it takes.

My take on developing a style is that it would be great - as I've never done it. Might it be limiting? I don't know - because I've never had one. 

[Francois]

note to self, sell the flexbody and 600SE.

Now that would be a HUGE mistake.
Most people spend countless hours getting to grips with the gear they have, it would be a total waste to throw this out the window and start from scratch. While it's true that all a camera does is allow you to adjust the shutter speed and aperture, the comfort level we have with the machine definitely varies from camera to camera. Now that you've acquired confidence using your gear, it would be a complete sin to let all this go in the futile search of a "new style" which want it or not will always come down to you.

I've come to the point where I want to use the stuff I've got and do a better job with it. Lets not forget that it's now about the gear, it's about the brain behind it.
If you do want something for a change of pace, I would strongly suggest you add a cheap 35mm SLR to your kit and start carrying it around trying to shoot what you don't usually do. Processing and film are cheaper, so are the cameras. Heck, I can get a Nikon F-60 at a local thrift store for something like 60$. Now just going around with it will force you to look at things differently. Also, do things you wouldn't usually do. I know you do color, try B&W. You shoot architecture, try still life or street photography. You get images which are very slick, try some fast film and go for the grain storm. Don't be afraid to come back empty handed. Just trying this will make your style change and when you get back to the flexbody or the 600SE, your images will have changed. Heck, get a toy camera and just use it! But just don't sell the hassy or the 600SE, you'll forever regret it!

Now, am I going to have to fly to Britain to give you a kick in the pants? 

[Phil Bebbington]

I'm seldom satisfied with the end result and always looking for something I can't quite seem to find.

Paul, welcome to my world  I guess we always are own worst critics. Thank you for your kind words though.

François, it was just a note to self to get rid of stuff that I thought I wanted to use, but, rarely have.  I have plastic and 35mm here, but, I am a square shooter. I recognise little about where I am going, but, I think I am done with the 35mm format. I love MF and in particular  sqaure. I still have my Holga loaded and at the ready - she rarely complains  Shoot I never intended to take over the damn thread. It was just the angle on style that  was interesting.

Thank you for your encouragement though - it's always good to  step back and take another look at what we are doing.

[Urban Hafner]

First of all I have to agree with Paul: I instantly recognize and I can't get enough of your shots either, Phil.

And I totally get the tension between restricting oneself to a camera or two to get images that aren't all over the place and trying out new things. I'm slowly moving towards reducing my camera collection too and have thought about giving up 35mm for good. After all the best 35mm cameras don't shoot square I guess the best I can do for now is not buy any new cameras and see which of mine I'm actually using.

[Francois]

I have a bunch of stuff in boxes. Sometimes, I pull a camera out of there and surprise myself. One thing I learned is that whether we feel it or not, we change.
And that affects everything. And those things we think we won't use anymore we sometimes end-up missing them when we get rid of them.

I usually have a rule of thumb on this:
-when it's crap: get rid of it as it just weighs you down.
-when it's good: think about it twice or you'll regret it.

It's a bit like my Grandpa's Leica. I never used it but somehow feel good just playing with it, listening to the shutter, turning those silky smooth knobs, extending the folding lens... so it's definitely a no sell for me even though I don't use it.