under a dim red glow
Toronto. … by the dim ruby red light. One thing the digital crowd misses in photography is the darkroom. Digital photo files are corrected – developed – either in the smartphone or on a computer, then printed on an inkjet or just sent as an email or message.
In the days of plates and film, when a photograph was taken, the job was only partly done. Then the negative had to be developed (by red light if orthochromatic or in full darkness if panchromatic or colour). Next, negatives were printed by the dim red light (b&w papers were always orthochromatic). However by their very nature colour process films and papers were panchromatic and had to be developed in total darkness – either a room or a light-tight tank.
To create the print, developers and paper grades, paper types, etc. were chosen; negatives cropped and sized. Processing a roll of 36 photos could easily take all night. Would I go back to film days? Nope! Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Nowadays I’m old and lazy. I like the ability to use apps on the computer or smartphone to modify a shot.
And unlike the photo at left which I took and was originally badly overexposed, (shadows blown out on the negative), digital technology all but guarantees a technically correct shot (other than focus and/or blur). Even ultra fast sensors obey the laws of physics. You shoot too fast for the light and the focus is way off. You move in low light and the image blurs.
Regardless whether you go film or digital, the subject choice and framing are paramount! PS. if you enjoy the ambiance of film prints, by all means drop in on one of our shows to get film materials to take and process analogue! Of course there are also lots of goodies to augment your collection of photographic memorabilia.
