Darkroom Printing and Print Giveaway!

[@Liz10486]

This channel is exactly what I was looking for! A lot of other intro photography channels on KZbin just don’t give you this level of detail or precision, but this gives me a much better sense of how to be organized and methodical in the darkroom. As a scientist just starting to get into photography, I really appreciate the technicality of your process, thanks for the great content!

[@Distphoto]

Awesome! Thank you! I do have a bit of scientist in me as well... Used to work in a Chem lab. That is what I love about photography and film in particular. Science & Art! Fascinating stuff!

[@andreascaveman]

Thanks!! This video is likely among the the very best contributions on darkroom stuff on youtube !

[@Distphoto]

Thank you. Glad it is helpful!

[@rcfgnu]

One of my favorite channel, always very inspiring content.

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@russellsprout2223]

Inspiring and meticulous work. I would love to have this print hanging on my wall but it would never survive the trip to the UK. Thank you for yet another excellent masterclass. Atb.

[@Distphoto]

Thank you! The print is actually hanging in Greece!

[@MattWeddis]

I learn so much from these videos. I’m just trying to set up a darkroom in my bathroom but videos like this are a great inspiration.

[@Distphoto]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@steveweston5902]

Great video.I always find it interesting seeing how, the few darkroom users on KZbin work. There is always something to learn. Keep up the great work.

[@Distphoto]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@ChristianJohansson-papac]

Another great one, always learning something. Thank you for your work. /c

[@Distphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@Kromaggful]

I discovered you channel thanks to your video about split grade printing technique. Love your content. Keep up the good work :)

[@Distphoto]

Thank you. Will do!

[@blaeandblack547]

Very entertaining video and great looking print. I like that burning mask with the flaps, I will try this.

[@Distphoto]

Awesome, thank you! It takes a few minutes to make but I find when I do it is so worth it!

[@customerbf]

I just got my dark room up and running and started printing after decades for the first time. And immediately my first question was what’s the order of operations for figuring out how to print. This is the second time I watch the video and it’s super helpful. Thank you for being so methodical in explaining the process.

[@Distphoto]

Your welcome, happy printing!

[@richardstollar4291]

That was really very interesting and informative. Your method is clear and easy to understand so please ... more like this.

[@Distphoto]

Thank you! Will do!

[@parvezsoudagar]

Thank you for the detailed walk through, it is really nice to see the way you burn and take notes! Something which just stays on my to-do list ;) Also, when you put your test strip over the easel, I believe you'll have to refocus as the height changes?

[@Distphoto]

Your welcome! I don't refocus... Not too critical of test strip focus. Just trying to get the exposure dialed!

[@faisalblaihed]

Very helpful and informative, it’s so in depth I love it!

[@Distphoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChrisVidouras]

This was a wonderful video, I thoroughly enjoyed watching every part of it. I honestly can't wait till I can afford to buy darkroom prints and support the artists I admire and have taught me so much through youtube. Keep at it man, this amount of hard work and dedication can only lead to success. - Cheers from Greece.

[@Distphoto]

Cheers friend!

[@jogrev]

Good job, Matthew!!! I know the Tim Hall's channel and follow him. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@Distphoto]

Awesome, thank you!

[@CD-kc5op]

Love watching you work in the darkroom. So helpful! Thanks!

[@Distphoto]

Your welcome! Thank you!

[@igaluitchannel6644]

Like taking a master class in printing.

[@Distphoto]

Glad you got something out of it!

[@neregetadzukija6598]

Great material. Thank you for a lot of helpful advice. I learn a lot from you. It's nice that you share your experience. Beautiful print Regards from Lithuania.

[@Distphoto]

My pleasure! Thank you!

[@Mark-el8sb]

Great video, as always. Learn something new every time. Thank you!

[@Distphoto]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@nostalgix8430]

What an awesome and detailed video. Watching you work in the darkroom let's me hope being able to become more patient and calm next time I am in the darkroom trying to figure out how my print can look even better :D

[@Distphoto]

Thank you so much! Does take patients. Teaches patients too. Sometimes you have to walk away and not keep forcing things too. Hard to do but I am trying to pin up work prints at my desk and live with them for awhile to see what I want to do... or try and do 🤔

[@masfranck4735]

Thank you for this vidéo. One of the best of the printing!!

[@Distphoto]

You are welcome!

[@jakobstyrupbrodersen926]

Thanks a lot for this fantastic, educational and information packed video :-) Really looking forward to trying out your burning techniques! Cheers from Denmark

[@Distphoto]

My pleasure! Best Wishes from the U.S.

[@adrienpavillard9512]

First let me thank you for your videos. They have been very helpful to me and I am always glad when I see you refer to other printers' methods and tricks that I sometimes do know of and use (like Ralph lambrecht's localised test strip device) and other times I do not ! I did not know of Timi (and not Tim;-) Hall. His videos are dense but so much experience is gathered in them. Talking about him, I wondered how you adapted his technique to go from one paper type and size to another. In his videos he uses a device he had an electronic guy to devise for his business which allows him to keep a constant light level in order to be able to compare his test results. What did you use to make sure the light stayed the same ? Once again thank you for the great work and for talking the time to share your knowledge with us. Peace.

[@Distphoto]

I used the Analyser Pro from RH Designs (which in general I do not use), however I do think with a bit of patients you could do this by eying out the highlights in the test strips. Would be plenty accurate enough. ( you just might have to make a few more to get the right density) Ilford also makes an inexpensive meter for the baseboard I believe. Thanks!

[@EricsEdgeVideos]

This was very helpful! Thank you for sharing. It's been 40 years since I processed and printed black and white. Started back up just recently.

[@Distphoto]

Glad to hear you are back in the dark!

[@michaellong9526]

Hi great video, I’ve heard that ilfords newest RC paper Multigrade V I believe is matched to its fibre based version and also tones very closely to the fibre . I haven’t tried it myself yet though I did buy a pack. Lina Bessinova does a review on this on her channel. Nice to see darkroom silver prints making a resurgence.

[@Distphoto]

That is exciting! Really hope they do this with MGWT as well!

[@claudiotaras1289]

Splendid darkroom work

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@Fixmix78]

Thank you so much. The most professional darkroom I have ever seen.

[@Distphoto]

You're very welcome!

[@Denik-mf5ej]

Your work is very impressive, it's perfect!!!

[@Distphoto]

Thank you very much!

[@phillipP8848]

Beautiful print. Thank you.

[@Distphoto]

Your welcome!

[@raybeaumont7670]

Excellent! Best wishes from Wales - UK

[@Distphoto]

Thanks!

[@theblackandwhitefilmproject]

Awesome! This is the next level of professionalism. Really enjoying your channel. Thanks

[@Distphoto]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying it!

[@timluttges9413]

So beautiful 👍🏼. I can learn so much from your channel. Thanks for sharing your work. You have some paper recommendations for printing first time on fb paper? I printed till now only on rc but trying fb is always in my mind 😆

[@Distphoto]

I would just jump in! Give it a shot with a print that you are proud of. something that prints easy. Just give it a try... You have to be more careful with it. (it can kink easy and this can not be fixed) Start with small sizes as they are easier to handle. You just have to be more meticulous with everything but it is the exact same process. Make sure your fix is fresh ( not exhausted) and use the minimal time in the fix you can. Good luck!

[@bruceoceguera1881]

I guess I'm a bit late for the give away but awesome video..!!

[@Distphoto]

Thanks! Sure I will do another in the future!

[@customerbf]

That was magic. Love the burning technic. So useful.

[@Distphoto]

great to hear, thanks!

[@elieelkhoury1351]

More of this please!!!

[@Distphoto]

Will do my best!

[@igaluitchannel6644]

This is the first online tutorial that mentions to expose for the highlights. Other than four lines from Ansel Adams' "The Print", I've never seen this mentioned in any of my darkroom manuals. Essentially, what they say is do test strips and find the right time and switch contrast if you feel it doesn't look good. When you look at the old prints of the masters, you realize how they printed down the whites - even more than we would do today. Now, I have to reprint all my negs using. this method

[@Distphoto]

You are right it is not mentioned very often for some reason. I forget where I learned this. I was taught when shooting film expose for the shadows and develop for the highlight... then do the opposite for printing. Expose for the highlights and develop (or adjust contrast for the shadows and blacks.) I think with variable contrast papers this started changing. (how to go about it) but I find it to be the best approach most of the time. But as long as you end up with a print YOU are proud of it doesn't matter much how you get there! Thanks for watching!

[@igaluitchannel6644]

It's just that there's a lot of hit and miss and a lot of wasted paper with the other method. I remember reading a quote from a master printer who said most people print too light and with too much contrast. I didn't quite understand what he meant. Now, I understand. Once you print for good highlights, often you have to tone down the contrast to bring out the shadows (depending on the negative, of course).

[@Distphoto]

@@igaluitchannel6644 yes, that is spot on! I also learned it easier to build up to the right contrast than to start with too high of contrast and go the other way. 👍

[@igaluitchannel6644]

@@Distphoto Thanks for the informative video and the original technique of having a mask to move the test strip up to determine the highlights.

[@pierrelaviolette670]

You are an artist!

[@Distphoto]

Thank you, very appreciated

[@guillermoperezsantos]

This is one os the BEST printing video in YT

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@Ry_Gordon]

Good lord this was educational! Thank you!

[@Distphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@James-ft9fm]

This channel has been soooooo helpful in getting my feet wet in my new darkroom (thanks!)

[@Distphoto]

You're so welcome!

[@JamieACowan]

What a fantastic episode, one I'm sure will need to be watched again. Do you use the stopcocks analyser much? I have just got one and could use some pointers, also do you see much value in a temperature regulator? (Like a hass k250)? Not noticed one in your darkroom. And again great great episode, really appreciate the long form, step by step content.

[@Distphoto]

Thanks, appreciate the kind comments! I use the analyzer but not as much as I prob should. Because of the nature of my enlarger it is hard to get it calibrated. But do find it places highlight detail pretty well. I have just found that “technical” contrast is not always what I am going for. That being said I need to spend more time with it and find it a great tool. I tend to approach different negatives differently. Not familiar with the bass k250. Do you mean a temp regulator for developer?

[@stevebills2427]

Each one of your videos is packed full of useful information which I try to implement into my own work. For those who are new to this channel, I highly recommend going through each video and watch it. The photographers doing this kind of detailed darkroom work are few and far between. Out of curiosity, is the developer that you're using the same one Brett Weston used during his time?

[@Distphoto]

Thank you so much! The developer I believe (not 100% sure ) Brett Weston used was Amidol. I have not tried Amidol but believe it is typically used for contact printing with really long grade papers like Azo and such. There is some reference to Ansel Adams using a modified Ansco 130 formula and I believe the Photographers formula sells the standard formula as I used here. Cheers!

[@tobiasx8312]

Great video and wonderful night pictures. What do you do with the pictures after the fix? So fix -> wash -> toning -> wash and then? Your prints look very smooth how do you get that? Sorry for the questions, I'm just slowly building up a dark chamber....

[@Distphoto]

Thank you. After fix →Quick rinse → Hypoclear (this is usually a holding bath that prints accumulate in and I shuffle through them every so often) → 15 min wash → Selenium → Hypoclear (again) → Final wash. There are other ways you can do this but this is what works for me!

[@adriancampos1]

Interesting process - going from RC to Fiber.

[@Distphoto]

RC is so much easier to play around with. Everything about it is faster and easier so it just makes sense for me if I can.

[@gaztopswright252]

Cool video

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@terrywbreedlove]

What a beautiful print

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@dennisagthoven1758]

Nice video and end result in print! Wich darkroom timer with foot switch are you using ?

[@Distphoto]

The LPL ET 500. Timer and foot switch. They came with my enlarger 👍.

[@dennisagthoven1758]

@@Distphoto Thank you! Like the enlarger too.:)

[@keithfox2995]

killer print process!!

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@patriciaparsons9680]

I am new to the darkroom, however, once I reach a filter #4, I have doubled my time. But maybe I'm using different filters.

[@Distphoto]

The enlarger I am using has a so called constant exposure filtration head where when you dial in the filters it uses neutral density filters to even out the light from one contrast to the next. It is based on Ilford or Kodak papers from years ago and is somewhat consistent with newer papers but not perfect. It will be very different from using external contrast filters or a color head. Generally the more magenta you add the more exposure needed and a full stop at a 4 filter sounds about right but will be different with different papers. Using a factor would compensate for all of this using your materials. It might not be perfect but find it gets me real close 👍

[@minoltavision6109]

Great 📹

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@pierrelaviolette670]

I’m a noob in my first week of DPing, when you use 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 etc. It’s a big gap between 16 and 32 is it really or is it because exposure is exponential anyway? Second question, if my exposure is close to 32 and let’s say the photo is 1/3 stop too dark, what value do I use to dial it back, do I go 1/3 below 32? Maybe a KZbin on this would be very helpful sometime, thanks for all your work, I need to know how to send money (not just me I hope)

[@martin-f5482]

such a massiv Inspiration!

[@Distphoto]

Thanks! Glad to hear!!!

[@sumitbasu5313]

Is it that Split Grade printing would have degraded the hilight you were seeking?

[@Distphoto]

No not at all.. Could have gotten the same result using a different approach. I did use a different "grade" to burn down some highlights in the print. So this was still a type of split grade printing just a different way of approaching it.

[@sumitbasu5313]

@@Distphoto .

[@elizastephens]

which book did you mention? beyond monochrome from 2000 by tony worobiec, which is under £10 to buy ? or is it the newer book called Way Beyond Monochrome 2? by Ralph Lambrecht which is £60.. thanks i want to make the test strip holder.. thanks

[@Distphoto]

It is the latter - Way Beyond Monochrome. There should be a link in the video description. It is nice to have!

[@user-ti9zc1xv2b]

Sorry but I have to ask, has anyone ever told you that you look like Terry A. Davis?

[@Distphoto]

Nope that is a first.

[@nicknick099]

👍

[@Distphoto]

Thank you for watching!

[@kangsun4636]

Man, Change your music!

[@Distphoto]

No

[@simonwilliams6140]

I quite like the music... adds atmosphere without getting in the way.