Jump to content

Film processing demonstration


Guest Mr. B

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I teach digital photography in high school. Last week one of my students said he was interested in learning how to develop film. I brought in a 35mm and 120 developing tanks and demonstrated how to load the film onto the reels. I then described the steps on film development and simulated actual development. I then described the basics of how to make an enlargement. When I was finished I asked the class how many students would actually be interested in developing film and making traditional prints. Out of 31 students only one hand was raised. The student that first voiced interest in film development. The others asked why would anyone want to go through all that work to make a photograph. There is the future of traditional film photography I am afraid. Personally I still love the darkroom and use film for my personal work more than digital.

Mr. B

Link to post
Share on other sites

That is rather sad after your effort to enthuse the class. Perhaps finishing off the demonstration by showing a couple of wonderful silver-halide prints from an analog workflow along side some corresponding digital inkjet prints would help to generate more discussion in answer their question of why would one still want to do this.

 

Nick

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I perceive there is a lack of normal teenage excitement in the class because the very thing that has driven recent increases in film sales are young people and the Lomography movement. And while Lomography may not demonstrate the fine art of the darkroom kids do move on from it to higher things. But in the meantime they find the anti-establishment idea of using film and the freedom to shoot expressively and 'freely' a 'sexy' way to communicate. In Europe and the Far East at least.

 

And the results are sexy. Many people will find the way a Holga renders an image appealing, the results are mysterious, the results are exciting, and you don't need to know how to focus and you don't get told you are doing it wrong because there is no 'wrong'. The images aren't judged on focus, they aren't judged on technique, they are judged on expression and what they say and suggest. They are poetic.

 

So perhaps it is a cart and horse situation. Technique means nothing on its own. The metaphorical 'horse', the thing that leads, is the final image. Discuss a Walker Evans print, discuss a Holga made picture, discuss Sally Mann, discuss Lomography, get some emotion into the classroom about what is possible, give them a dream of expressing the same sorts of things for themselves. Then teach them how to do it, when it has a purpose. I am of course only talking about the people who ultimately want to express themselves by photography, but lets face it, kids around the world don't like to think they are missing out. And if young photographers in Japan are falling over each other to buy a 120 folder, and young photographers in Europe are amassing draws full of cheap 35mm compacts, it is only because they have something to express. It's only later when they've had that knocked out of them that they need to think about refining their darkroom technique and become the 'establishment'.;)

 

There is a vast amount of stuff on the internet about what I've suggested. A very 'USA' site is LENSCRATCH | Fine Art Photography Daily which seems to endlessly show young US photographers documenting their life and ideas and those of people around them, and some is very boring, and some is very exciting. Much is obviously done on film, but even digital isn't so bad if it acts as the carrot that gets the horse moving.

 

Steve

Edited by 250swb
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I noticed that you're from Costa Mesa, which I will assume is the Costa Mesa in Orange County, CA. If so, any of your students who go on to college in a photography program in CA will be required to learn film processes. The CA community college system requires film, and so does the Cal State University system. Same with art programs in the UC system (in the UC programs it's assumed that students pursuing the BFA degree do know how to use film and their records show that they've had a course in film photography.) And any student who wants to transfer credits from a community college to either the Cal State University system or the UC system needs to have a class in film photography, otherwise they will need to take the class if they haven't yet done so. (here's an example of the curriculum at one of the community colleges in Orange County: Orange Coast College | Photo ...note the film courses and that they are transferable to both the state university and UC systems.)

 

Personally, I'm always impressed with every new term as to how many of the beginning students want to explore film. They'll end up using digital too, but they also understand that film photography is still part of the medium and it's all just part of their skill set. It's not required that students only use film, they can elect to go all digital or use whatever they choose, but they need to have a working knowledge of film processes while in a photography program and as part of the degree fulfillment.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

That is rather sad after your effort to enthuse the class. Perhaps finishing off the demonstration by showing a couple of wonderful silver-halide prints from an analog workflow along side some corresponding digital inkjet prints would help to generate more discussion in answer their question of why would one still want to do this.

 

Nick

 

I have brought in silver prints several times. Many students truly like to look at them. I wish I had the facilities to be able to demonstrate actual development and print procedures but we don't. I am using YouTube to demonstrate such things.

Mr. B

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I noticed that you're from Costa Mesa, which I will assume is the Costa Mesa in Orange County, CA. If so, any of your students who go on to college in a photography program in CA will be required to learn film processes. The CA community college system requires film, and so does the Cal State University system. Same with art programs in the UC system (in the UC programs it's assumed that students pursuing the BFA degree do know how to use film and their records show that they've had a course in film photography.) And any student who wants to transfer credits from a community college to either the Cal State University system or the UC system needs to have a class in film photography, otherwise they will need to take the class if they haven't yet done so. (here's an example of the curriculum at one of the community colleges in Orange County: Orange Coast College | Photo ...note the film courses and that they are transferable to both the state university and UC systems.)

 

Personally, I'm always impressed with every new term as to how many of the beginning students want to explore film. They'll end up using digital too, but they also understand that film photography is still part of the medium and it's all just part of their skill set. It's not required that students only use film, they can elect to go all digital or use whatever they choose, but they need to have a working knowledge of film processes while in a photography program and as part of the degree fulfillment.

 

I am aware of the local photo programs having gone to OCC and CSULB as a photo major myself. A few of my students have gone on to college as photo majors, but most are not that serious about photography to pursue it as a career.

Mr. B

Link to post
Share on other sites

Show them a print appearing in the developer tray, that magic always seems to make an impact ;-)

 

That is not possible as we do not have the facilities. I have shown my students the process on you tube but that is the best I can do. Good idea though.

Mr. B

Link to post
Share on other sites

I teach photography at a community college. Photo 1 is black and white film, Photo 2 is digital. Most of my students tell me that they didn't think they were going to like shooting film but take the class because it is a prerequisite for Photo 2. By the end of Photo 1 most of the students love shooting film. The first night in the darkroom making prints is magical. The students are like little children on Christmas morning when they see their images develop in the tray. A few continue to shoot film but most do not because they don't have the resources to do so. I feel black and white film is still the best way to learn to be a photographer.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I teach photography at a community college. Photo 1 is black and white film, Photo 2 is digital. Most of my students tell me that they didn't think they were going to like shooting film but take the class because it is a prerequisite for Photo 2. By the end of Photo 1 most of the students love shooting film. The first night in the darkroom making prints is magical. The students are like little children on Christmas morning when they see their images develop in the tray. A few continue to shoot film but most do not because they don't have the resources to do so. I feel black and white film is still the best way to learn to be a photographer.

 

I totally agree with you about using B/W film. In the past few years I have had a few student that ventured into the film world and liked it. Two years ago there was a male student in one of my classes that shot everything on film then scanned it. He produced some amazing results, but he has been the exception. Each year there are a few students that purchase a film camera or someone gives them one and they experiment with it. This year most of my students don't seem to be interested in film very much.

Thank you for your input.

Regards

Mr. B

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...