My final project in Photo II (the second darkroom class in the BFA program I'm in)

[Ms. Toad]

(Cross posted in the Photography forum)

My focus was on macro photography in three different climates: NE Ohio, the rain forest, and the desert. I used a shallow depth of field to create a soft focus in the background, or a stark black background (even though most of the photos were taken between noon and 3 PM - e.g. the rose.) In many I also focused on a different part of the plant than most - for example the edge of a leaf - so the subject is familiar but not necessarily immediately recognizable, and becomes more a study of form than of the subject. There is an anchor shot to represent the geographical area/climate for each set of images which were also taken with my macro lens. It does a pretty decent job on distance shots for being primarily a macro lens.

Since the class is a darkroom class, these are cell phone images of the physical print. At least one of them has a shine from the light in the classroom.
Eventually I'll scan the negatives so I can make better electronic versions of the images.


NE Ohio
















The rain forest (The initial image is just a foggy day in NE Ohio - given time constraints it was the closest I could get to anchor shot of a wet, rainy space)
















The Desert

[Shellback Squid]

1. These are nice, the phone images show minor imperfections due to its camera

What camera are you using?, lens?

[Ms. Toad]

3. The camera is a Nikkormat from the 70s.

My spouse has two, and since they weren't mine originally their names haven't stuck.

The lens is this one: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105mm-f4.htm

The prints are much better quality - completely spotted, so any white spots in black areas are a glint of reflection off of the print. All but one or two were printed using a split filter, which creates a depth I haven't been able to get using a single filter.

And the colors are not perfect. Someday, when I have a bit of time, I'll scan the negatives.

[Shellback Squid]

8. I'm very familiar with both, the 105 is a great portrait lens too

and the macro aspect gives it much versatility, and it's fast
I have a 105 2.8 but no macro

[2naSalit]

2. I like those!

You should get a good grade!

[Ms. Toad]

4. I'm expecting 100%

It's what I've gotten on all of my prior assignments, and I don't recall any negative feedback in today's critique.

It's hard comparing my work with the rest of the students - I've got considerably more time on my hands since I'm retired, and a lot more experience with a camera than most.

[2naSalit]

5. Valid points...

It does look like you know your way around a camera.

[Ms. Toad]

6. The new lens took a bit of getting used to.

I had more just slightly out-of-focus images than I have for any other project, and my exposure wasn't nearly as uniform as it usually is. But 6 rolls of film or so after I started the project, I was close to the uniformity I had with the 50 mm lens.

[2naSalit]

7. Ooh ouch...

Six rolls gets pricey. But now you know. You have a good eye for lines, the leaf edge group in particular but also fronds and other smooth lines. I also liked the angle on that aster like flower. I found it touchy with close images like that. Thankfully I had a digital to learn with, never went back to film due to cost though. I, once upon a time, had a little experience with process photography in my early working days.

I'm sure the class was fun, sounds like something I would consider.

[Ms. Toad]

13. I load my own film

That knocks off 40-50% of the cost.

The formal requirement for the class is 10 rolls, minimum, plus 200 sheets of fiber based paper. We're expected to create 3 series of 10 images during the semester, with a final series of 20 images. I still have about 50 sheets of paper left and enough bulk film for several more rolls. But yes, it it's pricey. It helps that I am retired from the university so I get classes for free. Most states have free audits for seniors.

I've been reluctant to do much macro photography because (generally) everyone does it, and most of it feels like shooting fish in a barrel. So I've been focusing on lines and shapes as much as the subject itself, to distinguish my images from all of the "oooh pretty close up stuff!" Thanks for the feedback that at least some of my images worked, from that perspective!

[3catwoman3]

9. I enjoyed looking at these.

My favorites are the water drops on the rose petals and the mist rising from the river.

[Ms. Toad]

12. Thank you!

The mist rising from the river is one of my instructor's favorites, as well. The rose is one of mine.

[3catwoman3]

16. GMTA!

[Redleg]

10. There is a new invention called "color film" - just kidding- these are wonderful

I would like to learn to take better photos. I might use my tuition waiver benefits here at the university to take a few classes.

[Ms. Toad]

11. I highly recommend it.

I did darkroom work in the 70s by the seat of my pants - this looks like about 15 seconds . . . oops, guess I was wrong.

The first course taught me a methodical process for determining which filter to use and exposure time, so I wasted far less time (and paper). The second darkroom class taught me your to use split filtering (exposing with one filter for the highlights and a second for shadows), which creates a much richer range of tones. (A lot of these were printed using a single test strip - something I never managed using a single filter).

I've also used new-fangled things called digital cameras and photoshop (photo III and commercial). I had to take classes out of order, since COVID decimated a lot of studio disciplines. I took photo I in fall 2022. This semester is the first time they have offered photo II since then. More bodies in the classes will help keep them going!

[Nigrum Cattus]

14. Nice blacks -

When developing paper the blacks are the hard ones to get.
I think you'll get an A.

[Ms. Toad]

15. Thank you.

They are even richer in the actual prints! I love split filtering - I get those blacks almost effortlessly - without sacrificing the whites, or the information in the shadows. (The last is lost some I'm these photos of the prints.)

If you're working in the darkroom and haven't tried it, you should. The process I learned is different from anything I could find online - if you're interested I can post some images and explain it . . . but for now I'm off to our last rehearsal before the opening of a Christmas Carol (the musical). I'll never understand periods who are afraid they seek be good in retirement.