As if by magic the roll of Ilford Delta 100 ran out just as I reached the front door of Dyrham Park (House). It’s amazing how often this happens, it’s almost like subconsciously I’m shooting accordingly to make that happen. Of course there is nothing subconscious about it, it’s deliberate. If the film had approachedContinue reading “Inside Dyrham with HP5”
Category Archives: Chemistry
Dyrham Park/Delta 100/FX21
Someone has been living in Dyrham Park since the Bronze Age! In 577 there was a battle here and the West Saxons drove the Britons back into Wales and Cornwall. The Estate is mentioned in the Doomsday book, but most of the house that stands today date from 1691, the creation of William Blathwayt. It’sContinue reading “Dyrham Park/Delta 100/FX21”
Using FX21
A couple of weeks ago I mixed some FX21, it’s a Geoffrey Crawley creation and one that was produced commercially by Paterson back in the day, and known as Acuspecial. I have a vague memory of using it in those days, but not much. When I started out, I guess like most people, Paterson UniversalContinue reading “Using FX21”
Making FX21
I’ve used up the last of my FX55 developer. It’s pretty straightforward to make, and as it has become my developer of choice I’ll be making more. I’m also coming to the end of my batch of D23, that’s even easier to make, and I use it “replenished” so I just keep using it, andContinue reading “Making FX21”
E72 Paper Developer
Last time I purchased a litre of Ilford Multigrade Paper developer it had gone off and I had to return it. I don’t think it was age per-se, there was a tiny hole in the foil seal, plenty large enough for air to get in. After that I told myself I’d make my own. FinallyContinue reading “E72 Paper Developer”
Single Photo: Poole Harbour
I took my OM1 with the standard 50mm f1.8 Zukio lens on my usual walk around Poole. I used FP4 and developed it in FX55. It was a nice day weather wise, some good clouds in the sky, but blue sky and sunshine. It felt like one of those “last days of summer” type days.Continue reading “Single Photo: Poole Harbour”
More Mono
A while back I cut a film out of the camera to develop quickly. It’s not something I do often, and to be honest, at this point I can’t remember what or why! However this left a 10 or so exposure for later use or for a test. Like many, the local Lloyds Bank closedContinue reading “More Mono”
Crawley’s FX6a Monobath
All of the, give or take, 50 years I’ve been messing about in darkrooms, the number one rule has always been, don’t contaminate (mix) the chemicals! I was surprised to discover then that monobath developers have been about since 1800 and something! So what is a monobath? Does it work and if so, how? PutContinue reading “Crawley’s FX6a Monobath”
SS Great Britain and HP5
I had a full day in the city of Bristol this weekend, it didn’t go quite as planned and so I ended up, rather unexpectedly visiting the SS Great Britain, designed by the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This wasn’t a bad thing as I’ve fancied seeing it for ages. Amazingly after over 100 years onContinue reading “SS Great Britain and HP5”
Ilford Perceptol from D23
I made up some new D23 developer last week. All formulars are for 1 litre and to calculate less is a pain and not worth the effort. 750ml is used, then 250ml of the old stock is added to make up to the litre, this is so that all the “goodies” that have built fromContinue reading “Ilford Perceptol from D23”
S.H.O.U.T. 