DARKROOM GUIDE I TECHNICAL DATA I DIGITAL DARKROOM
THE DARKROOM
A TRIBUTE TO THE CAMERA'S COMPANION
In one sense there are really only two main tools for making fine photographs: the camera and darkroom. These two have worked together from the beginning and make up the sum total of photography. The first catagory, "camera", includes everything from the photographer's creative vision (pre-visualization) to technique, timing, composition, and the captured image. The second category, "darkroom" concerns everything else "after the shot"; primarily the many steps involved in the execution of the finished image. From creative pre-visualization to the framed finished image, lies the more complete system and practice of fine art photography.
Despite the advancement of the "instant picture" digital age, the "darkroom" principal is alive and well among photographic enthusiasts. Millions of photographers world wide use an array of image editing software to refine their images in the digital darkroom. The darkroom aspect of photography has always been in use and always will be. It is an unavoidable conclusion that there will always be an important place for creative image editing control. Every photograph is uniquely different due to any number of variables, such as: lighting, contrast, luminance, tonal values, dynamic range, color, etc., this makes post-processing a way of life. We all do as much as we can "in camera" but EVERYONE'S work will greatly benefit from post-processing.
Perhaps the greatest reason to utilize the darkrooms' creative power is to impart artistic quality to one's photographs. Using the many available controls to create a uniquely personal rendering of a scene or subject according to one's own creative eye. The darkroom, in this light, is a place for the dramatic expression of something that goes beyond what the camera recorded - enhancing the above mentioned variables to a place where fine print quality is achieved.
" Perhaps the most important characteristic of my work is what may be called Print Quality"
- Ansel Adams
TECHNICAL DATA
DARKROOM GUIDE I TECHNICAL DATA I DIGITAL DARKROOM
FILM DEVELOPMENT
The Massive Development Chart
Freestyle's Development Chart
ILFORD Development chart
PDF
ILFORD Temp Compensation Chart
PDF
Kodak Development Data
PDF
Agfa Developing Chart
ILFORD B&W Film Tech Page
Kodak Film Tech Pubs
CHEMISTRY TECH PUBS
ILFORD Film Developer Tech Page
ILFORD Paper Developer Tech Page
Other ILFORD Darkroom Chemistry
Kodak Chemistry Tech Pubs
PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPERS TECH PUBS
ILFORD Photographic Paper Tech Page
ILFORD Contrast Control Tech Pub
B&W Contrast Filtration PDF
DARKROOM GUIDE
DARKROOM GUIDE I TECHNICAL DATA I DIGITAL DARKROOM
Setting Up A Makeshift Darkroom
DARKROOM GUIDE I TECHNICAL DATA I DIGITAL DARKROOM
" Perhaps the most important characteristic of my work is what may be called Print Quality"
- Ansel Adams
