Inside John Free's Darkroom | Robert Frank Print

[@nickfanzo]

I just started printing in a dark room when I added an enlarger to my basement. I got into photography in late 2019 , and I haven’t gone a day without shooting since. It has captured me. I was first shooting digital, and editing in a tablet. But then I saw videos on film and darkroom. Being someone who grew up drawing and painting, I was smitten by actually working physically with my art and my materials. Thanks for sharing your stories and your work, as well as your knowledge. Be well out there.

[@theampedlife]

You’re one of my biggest inspirations John. At 52 you inspired me to take up the responsibility of showing our world through the lens for our children to enjoy in the future. Thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity to share your knowledge and wisdom. Your suggestion to “practice” has made me a better photographer, your humour makes me smile and your approach to photography has become an example for me of how to go about taking pictures. Regards form Cape Town SA

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hey Chris Thank you. At 78 you have inspired me to keep making videos about what I do and what you can do. This photography game is a good game. Always a product for others to enjoy and learn from. The photos I try to make are my love letters to photography itself and a gift of friendship for the world to see.

[@theampedlife]

Thanks John, I’ve written down these words to keep in my camera bag as a reminder of your dedication and as a driver for mine. I appreciate your reply and sharing your wisdom.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Some of the nicest words I have ever read about me. Thank you for taking the time to write them to me.

[@brodiewyatt245]

Instablaster

[@arthurfelig5629]

John, your wizened and soulful approach is such a refreshing antidote to the tech-driven crap that drowns modern photography. Whether analogue or digital, b+w or colour; shooting from the heart is where it's at...(and always has been). Thanks, and may the road rise up to meet you.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you for the kind words Arthur. You have the same name as a famous New York photographer. Thanks for writing to me.

[@markymarkrosales435]

Your darkroom is much more organized and cleaner than I last seen it when you had the 4th of July workshop ahaha always great and inspiring to see and learn from you John.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I hold the world record for a dirty, messy, silly darkroom. Yeah organized. Thanks Marky Mark.

[@sontiyo7113]

You are a huge inspiration John. I picked up film photography on a whim early this year and completly fell in love. I cannot wait to have my own darkroom once im done studying and will move into my own place in the following years. Seeing a new upload on this channel always puts a smile on my face and its almost guaranteed that I will grab my camera and step outside right after

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I am happy for you and me. Thank you for your message.

[@privateprivate3813]

Very cool to see your darkroom! Thank you! You and your works are inspiring. Stay safe, John! Always love your videos.

[@ataraxia4526]

Good to see that you are doing well and full of life as always. It's been a while since the last update. All the best for these weird times! You are an inspiration.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Just came in from my darkroom to have lunch and found your note. Thank you. A good day for John Free.

[@philipshucet9481]

John, thank you for sharing time and your love with us. This look into your experience with Robert is wonderful.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thanks Phil. My son Scott and me and my friend Deeno feel very lucky to have met you in the big apple and had a good time photographing with you on the ferry boat.

[@MrDomq22]

The way you speak about your work, John is what inspires me to wake up and shoot every day. Thank you, John.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Domenic. You have made my day.

[@MrDomq22]

John Free you’ve made my day, sir. It’s an honor just to get to speak to such an influence in my life.

[@GarnettLeary]

The book will be amazing. Count me in. Thanks for sharing your technique. The favorite part of my day was logging on to see a new video uploaded. That or the key lime pie I ate. Hmmm. Nah, this wins. Thank you.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I traveled over 1200 miles from my home in Connecticut, just to have some Key Lime pie in Miami, but they had sold the last piece before I got there. Boy was I mad. I told them how far I had come and they still insisted they no more Key Lime Pie. So there.

[@aandyjackson]

another great video, John! i'm excited to see your book and get my hands on a copy. You're always such a great inspiration, and your enthusiasm is infectious. I'm excited to spend all weekend in my darkroom! I'll be printing from our time working together last July 4th weekend! Stay well, friend and hope to see you soon!

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thanks Andy. Thanks also for the good time we had together.

[@veintequetzales2000]

Beautiful John! Always inspiring! greetings from mexico city :)

[@peteanddrake4242]

Returning to my darkroom after 2 year hiatus. Almost lost my love of film while trying to run my lab commercially. Customers suck. Ready to start shooting and printing again. Great video

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Welcome back.

[@patrickemmerechts6054]

Thank you John nice to see again.

[@TravisDewitz]

Love videos from you like this. Keep them coming John!

[@RonnyKohlmann]

Great to see you again John. Hope you are doing well in these times.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thanks Ronny. My wife and I are fine and staying home. I have so much here to keep me busy.

[@jackshepherdson]

Love all your work John, you’re a real inspiration and motivation in your process to my photographic journey. Thanks for sharing all your stories, keep it up!

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Jack. I am there with you in spirit on your journey.

[@sbai4319]

Hi John, Merry Christmas 🎄 from Australia. Thank you so much for making this video. Have a good safe year. And I will make work that matters, take no easy shots and cultivate my craft. Robert had such a nice smile.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hey Steve. Thank you. I am happy I have been a good influence on you. It must be hard for you to frame properly when everything is upside down. Happy New Year.

[@KristopherHooper]

So great. Thanks for sharing this and the continuing inspiration in general. Your story of meeting Frank is wonderful.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Kris. Meeting Robert was a great day for me. Robert drove a 1950 Ford coupe in 1957 and I had a 1950 Ford coupe in 1957.

[@writerman242]

Brilliant John Thank you Strange the scenic photos right after Robert

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hey Paul you are an old friend. Nice to see your name. Strange photos of the sky. Why? Life has its moments of love and joy. Look for love and joy to make photos of.

[@writerman242]

@@JohnFreePhtographyYes it's good to see another video from you Thanks for that insight You are right. I only meant that life works in mysterious ways Strange in a good way haha

[@yasha8951]

Thank you very much for this video, I always wanted to have a look at your darkroom process, hope there is more of these type in the future where you can guide us through all your printing process

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you. Yes, we will continue the darkroom videos. Thank you for suggesting it.

[@yasha8951]

John Free Will be looking forward for it, with these crazy times on us I put together a small darkroom at home, these videos will be of great help and inspiration. Thank you

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hi Yasha, I use a rolling office chair and I can sit and do my work. My enlarger and trays are at the correct height to suit me as I sit. I buy from Free Style Photo Supplies in Hollywood. Let me know how things are going for you.@@yasha8951

[@DevonMiniFlicks]

John Free makes Ilford HP5 sing :-) What a man . Legend

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Darren.

[@antoniorussell9893]

Thanks John! Would you share what developer you use with your film?

[@trsc32]

So glad to see you’re still making videos & sharing your years of knowledge. I’m excited for your book next year! I’ll be picking up a copy as soon as it’s released!

[@yorkieinnz4648]

Thanks John. Much respect for you and your work, all the best from New Zealand.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thanks Yorkie. Do you guys down there have to hold your cameras upside down?

[@yorkieinnz4648]

@@JohnFreePhtography 😁 Nope...but the water goes down the sink hole the opposite way 😉

[@TheTuscaloosa]

Recently discovered John. Great guy. Regards from Germany

[@Reversefilms]

Hey John, I wanted to ask you about what draws you to black and white. And do you ever shoot in colour ? Great video, great photograph of Frank ! Thanks.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I use color when I feel the color will not prove to be a distraction. Look at my video again to see some of my color photos. Thank you.

[@1stfootprint_art]

I am really excited about your book... can't wait to see it...

[@JohnFreePhtography]

You and me both. I have the fine help from my wife Wendy and my son Scott. Together we are working to get my book out. Its a family affair. So nice to have the help from people I love.

[@1stfootprint_art]

@@JohnFreePhtography excellent... it must be satisfying and a little emotional collating your work for publication... I am happy that you are sharing the experience with people you love... I have not seen your work in print... only online... and I am a big believer in viewing photography in a physical medium...

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Emotional. Yes. I have printed from these negatives for 40 years. The negatives are in bad condition after all they have been through. Sad to see them retired after the book is finished. I will offer prints after the book is out.@@1stfootprint_art

[@alberttickle1106]

Thanks John.....great words of advice in many ways.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thanks Albert. Now I am TICKLED.

[@neilpiper9889]

What enlarging lens do you use

[@patrickrowan2184]

As a young person currently trying to train my muscles for manual focus, this photograph truly impresses me. The fall-off is pretty substantial so I'm guessing the zone of focus was not. I get the feeling John did not dally and chance wasting Robert's time searching for focus. Really makes John's points about "practice" come full circle. I would be kept up at night if I missed a shot like this and ended up with a soft Frank. Better pick up my camera tonight and do some exercises.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Patrick for helping me make an important point about focus. Zone focus is just a guess. Being quick in mind and hand makes the shot and makes my day.

[@user-ti9zc1xv2b]

Hi John, could you tell us the name of the company that prints your book.

[@wullieg7269]

You blew on the neg,I always breathed on mine!,you reminded me how much I miss my darkroom. I love the smell of Ilford in the morning!.

[@CooLin1stPlace]

I shoot digital but there really is something organic about film. Mr. Free inspires me to pick up a film camera and rush outside.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you. Get a Nikon F3. Pay $400.00 for a good used one. This is the great camera with 100% viewfinder coverage. and great lenses. Dont trip when you rush outside.

[@Reversefilms]

​@@JohnFreePhtography Just bought my Nikon F3 after watching your video about viewfinder coverage.

[@CooLin1stPlace]

Thank you for the advice I will look for the F3. Definitely no tripping, I will double knot my shoe laces. Be well@@JohnFreePhtography !

[@trsc32]

Film is a whole new world of photography. I highly recommend you take a class where you have access to a darkroom. I think you’ll fall in love with the process

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Now you will be a much more accurate framer of photographs in the viewfinder. No cropping required.

[@paharithrottle4110]

Wow ! One day your photographs and darkroom equipment will be displayed in a museum and future Photographers will miss this a lot...

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I have made arangements to have my body stuffed after I die, so my stuffed body will be part of the exhibit. Ha.

[@AI-Hallucination]

You are amazing man inside good stuff

[@biginjapan8]

Best regards from Tokyo!

[@stephenobisanya]

❤️❤️

[@mikedesimone1783]

John, Hope you dont mind short and sweet '' Henri Cartier-Bresson would've been proud of you. Cheers. 👌

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Nice kind of short but sweet. Thank you Mike.

[@jacovanlith5082]

Do not blow and spit on your negative.