The
photograph is the positive result of a long journey from making the
negative to the print. Once you
get to the point of printing it starts another odyssey of creativity,
along with another set of decisions as to what materials you are
going use to produce those wonderful photographs.
Recently
a photographer said he only uses the materials of his chosen
manufacture to produces his images. His position is they know best so
why make things difficult by using different products. At one time I
was the same using paired paper and developer to produce prints. But
with the death my father I'm questioning this approach; it has made
me seriously think about the materials I choose to use. Why? Because
life's too short for such restrictions and I've started to believe
that the choice of materials you choose to use has a direct impact on
the look of the final image and therefore it's style.
In
today’s world of analogue photography there is not the vast array
of papers there used to be. Light sensitive papers fall into three
tonal types: neutral, cold and warm and come as resin coated and
fibre base with a number of different finishes. Now-a-days the main
stream papers are variable grade meaning you no longer need to stock
a number of set grades of each type of paper you prefer to use. This
has given greater freedom to stock a number of manufacturers paper
types. For example I have stocks of Ilford, Foma, and Adox on the
shelf in warm, cold and neutral tones. This has given greater
creative latitude when it comes to exposing negatives, this has lead
to less stringent light meter readings and less time trying to make
the conditions fit the grades of your printing stock. I have in the
past used a particular developer for my prints so it conveys a
feeling on the subconscious level, for example, adding warmth when in
fact the scene is cold. Is this not part of the creative process? For
some it would seem not.
Analogue
photography is all about the photograph. If you do not hand print
your pictures you are missing out.
Accompanying pictures:
All images scanned from photographs. The papers used in order of appearance, Kentmere VC select RC gloss, Ilford Multigrade 4 RC gloss, Fotospeed RC gloss, Foma 542 chamois FB gloss.
Since writing this the wonderful Foma chamois has been discontinued.
Since writing this the wonderful Foma chamois has been discontinued.
