Caffenol CL vs. Kodak HC110 😵

Hello Everyone,

My apologies on the time between posts lately as I’ve just moved to a new place and also got a quick mini-vaca in recently (more on that later) from work

As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been developing ALL my black and white film with Caffenol (specifically Caffenol CL) in place of all the chemicals I used to use

I mostly shoot Kodak Tri-X, ilford HP5 and also the Lomo Earl Gray films these days. All have been developed in Caffenol mixtures

I was very serious about being happy (also a bit shocked) about the results I was seeing

But is it really as good as I’ve been viewing it or has the romance between this developer and I finally ended?

How the Fuji XPro1 Slowed Me Down..

Hi Guys,

Hope all is well out there with you all in Internet Land

I’m writing this now to speak to you about 2 things:

One being my recent decision to move on from Micro 4/3rd Photography, and the other my experience with the Fuji XPro-1

Yes I’ve moved on from the Panasonic Lumix GX7 and the system i had put together

Rangefinder Love: Fuji GW690III

Today I’d like to tell you about a camera I’m slowly beginning to fall in love with

I think in part due to the fact it reminds me of my time with the Leica M when I first really started to delve deep into film photography but in a much larger format

It’s definitely not a camera that can fit in your pocket, but what you sacrifice you portability, you gain in image quality and resolution

The camera I’m speaking of is the Fuji GW690III, a fixed lens medium format film rangefinder

If you’ve never seen what one looks like, it’s basically a Leica M on steroids with some differences since it was designed by Fuji and not Leica

Ever Feel Frustrated with your Photography?

How many people have truly been frustrated or annoyed when looking over their own works?..

I know I have

It seems as though the more I learn and explore, I keep chasing this unattainable goal of satisfaction within myself to get where I want to be in my photos

Every so often you’ll get the very kind and humbling responses from others that view your work but deep inside it doesn’t feel like enough

You know it can be so much better

My Trip to New Orleans with the Holga 120, Leica M2 and M8

Hello everyone!

Not long ago I was fortunate enough to have saved enough $$$ for something I’ve been planning on doing for a long while.

A trip down to the “Big Easy” New Orleans, Louisiana!!

Once I felt comfortable with funds 🙂 I went forward and made reservations for the flight and hotel stay

Now, this trip was not just for vacation, but also to spend some time solely dedicated to photography.

During my planning for the trip, a couple things went through my mind..

The Leica M8 and I

Hi everybody,

Recently I had the opportunity to purchase a used Leica M8 for a reasonable price..well…reasonable by Leica body standards, and in pretty good condition too!

I had never shot a digital rangefinder before, I mean aside from a quick tryout at a photo store I pass by frequently, so I decided to purchase this cam and add to the collection 

I am very excited to put this camera through my regular “street walks exercise” that i usually do with my film cameras most of the time.

Now as many of you know, this was Leicas first attempt at delving into the digital market..so it had its fair share of issues.

DIY Rodinal Part 2

My next test for the Homemade Rodinal formula included a bunch of Ilford Delta 400, my Leica M2 and the Summicron 50mm F2 Dual Range 🙂

I have to say i was very excited to view these results as this was the first time i did a full day of street shooting with a certain vision in my mind in a long while.

I had pictured a more gritty type of feel to each picture, even though these images were test shots, i was very happy to see that those images in my mind were being successfully transferred through my hands, into the camera and onto the film

These were all shot using NO METER (aside from my head) in a number of different lighting conditions.

Developing C41 (Color Negative) Film at Home

Could it really be easier than developing Black and White film?

Ted Forbes from one of my favorite YouTube channels, The Art of Photography, definitely thinks so.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been thinking that the main reason why you don’t hear about more people developing color film at home is due to it being pretty complicated.

After watching this video Ted released recently on the steps taken to mix, make and develop with the chemicals it definitely does not look as difficult as I had first thought!

Oh, How I’ve Missed You Tri-X (and Leica M3!)

At a photography show a couple days ago in Hasbrouk Heights, NJ i found a seller with a couple rolls of Tri-X for a great price.

I decided to purchase some since i haven’t shot it in a long while

I’ve been shooting Ultrafine Xtreme 400 film almost exclusively for months now and decided i wanted to switch it up

As I’ve been watching numerous documentaries on both digital and film photography the feeling of inspiration has had my “trigger” finger ready to hit that shutter button 😉

So i put a day aside to take a number of rolls out with my Leica M3 and 50mm Summicron DR (oh how I’ve missed this combo too!)

What was planned as a casual day where maybe 1-2 rolls were shot ended up being 4-5 rolls lol

Film Stand Development

Recently during my studies on film photography and development techniques, i came across the technique of “stand development”

Apparently, doing this allows you to push your film (depending on which you use) much more easily and increases the sharpness and shadow details of the images taken.

So of course, i sought more info on this subject and came across a video done by Chuck Jines who runs a YouTube channel i frequent from time to time called Chuck Jines Photography

He calls his style “Grit Street Photography” and using his stand development technique, he gets the gritty look and feel of his film photography.

I love the type of photographers and photography that instantly make you get up and want to elevate yourself.

To me, this is what it’s all about

Keep seeking the knowledge where you can find it, and put it to practice.

You’ll find your way with hard work and dedication