Week Five wrapped last night with a lecture and demonstration of film development and negative enlargement. Being a lab class, we spent the first part of class in the computer lab receiving instruction on how to load film onto reels and into canisters. At one point Chris (our instructor) assured us that learning to load our film in the total darkness of the loading rooms would be the hardest part our class.
Next, we moved upstairs to the chemical room, where we learned all about the different kinds of developers that are available to us. Chris explained the timing charts on the walls, which reference commonly available films, as well as the differing effects of the various developing agents. He then demonstrated the entire development process, referencing chemicals, clocks, and the drying room.
The last part of the class was held in Shoreline’s darkroom, where Chris demonstrated the process of enlarging a negative for print. This instruction was thorough, including discussion on focusing the enlarger, making contact sheets, recomposing an image, and dodging, burning and smudging tools and techniques. (I was particularly interested in his judgment of proper exposure and the subsequent development times.)
Since I’d learned the film development process last Tuesday (thanks again, Maureen and Paul!), I was able to listen for the nuances of the techniques. I have only a few, minor adjustments to make to the way I am developing my film and prints. At this moment, I’m far more concerned with achieving the best tonal balance in my images and learning the nuances of the different films and developers. I currently have nine rolls of film developed and a brand new package of photo paper, so I think I’m about ready to plunge into these issues. (I currently think that it’s far easier to develop an acceptable print than it is to develop a really good one.)
Last night’s class was the last class for Week Five, which means that I am now, officially, half way through spring quarter. I have a midterm exam scheduled for Monday (complete with Scantron cards), and my depth of field assignment is due in two weeks.
Time flies.
