The Chemistry & Printing Paper Arrives

Apparently my Karma isn't in too shabby shape. My order of chemistry arrived late this afternoon, just as the sun hung above the horizon. Enough chemicals to fill all the shelves in my mixing area, as well as 60 cut sheets of printing paper; 10"11", for the 8"x10" prints. I will also be printing negatives from the 5x7 Burke & James view camera, ones I shot thirty years ago as well as fresh images to come. Those negatives will be printing in palladium only. I have not forgotten the gums. I now have two gum printing frames that I will be putting to good use. Portfolios are coming.

This page will be quiet for the next twelve days, until we return from Mexico. I promise that upon my return I will not be derelict in providing regular updates and images coming out of the new darkroom. Very soon I will also be putting together the second photo book in the "Alchemist's Guide:" series. This next one will be "Printing in Silver", focusing mostly on the salt paper process, or what I refer to as the Salted Silver Print. Thirty years worth of insights within 150 pages. Give or take....

The Darkroom

Having spoken of the darkroom in more than one post, then disappearing for two months, it would seem only fair to offer up snaps of what all that work was for. And why I put forth all the labor and expense to arrive at a space that accommodates the printing I want to do. I don't spend much time with higher aesthetics in decoration. I keep it pragmatic and simple. I like grays, white and black. I am coming to like the idea of staining the cabinets on the dry side to match the Solar Printer (UV printing box) shown below.
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As I noted in the last post, a long planned trip to Mexico will take me away for the next ten days. As confessions go, my normally deep enthusiasm for such a trip, it comes just as all is ready to begin work. Not sure if that is irony or Karma working. It is what it is, and at this stage in life, I am not in any hurry. My interest is in making beautiful prints. My apologies for the absences, leaving a dead page. Hopefully I will be able to make up for that later, when I will have new work to show on a regular basis.

The Solar Printer ~ Printer door (with knob) at bottom ~ Slit just  under the brass plate is the
diffusion sheet ~ ballasts & UV tubes above the diffusion sheet

 Dry working side ~ Cabinet for portfolio cases

Other end of dry working side~ Negative Case shelves

Wet Side with sink ~ chemical shelves in corner ~ 3 outlet water setup (one with thermometer
Chemical shelves are yet empty, with a large order scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

Project Completion

After six months of planning and two solid months of continuous construction, the new darkroom is finally complete. Final touches are being made, the area lighting and wall shelves. My body has been referring to me in vulgar terms, and I have no doubt I'm in much better shape for it. The timing of things isn't how I would like it, but considering the obstacles, I'll take it. I was told by the nice rep at Bostick & Sullivan that my chemical order should arrive on Wednesday. The order was large enough I was emailed to tell me it was way too much to put in one box, which of course will cost another......

All of which is good news with exception to that timing thingy. I will be taking my sweet wife to Puerto Vallarta for ten days with good friends of ours. Long in the planning, and something that will have healing powers on the body. I'm certain of it. Warm beaches with a Pacifico right out of the ice bucket, which chatting about black and white photography. My good friend is a most excellent photographer. But I digress. With patience, I will be busy in the new darkroom shooting with my Burke & James 5x7 view camera, developing and printing palladium and gum prints. You will know this because I will be posting regular updates of the progress.

My apologies for the absence. Good things are coming though. . . . .