Photo paper recomendations for GSE photography course

[Bone_Idle]

I have signed up a GCSE in Photography night class, it was the first class last night and the tutor said that we'd need to buy photo paper for printing in the darkroom.

The question is, what do I get? I had a look at Firstcall Photographic web site and there's about 5 pages of photo paper.

If I was to guess, I'd go for Ilford Multigrade as it seems most flexible, but not knowing what each grade means, I might me heading in the completely wrong direction.

If my thinking is correct, the next question is : Matt, Satin or Gloss?

I think what I'm looking for is a good all rounder in 8x10 (can it be cut for smaller prints?)

Any recomendations greatly appreciated.

[ukgooner]

I would go for the Ilford MultiGrade 10x8 Gloss for starters or maybe some 5x7 as it can work out a lot more expensive cutting up the 8x10 for test strips.

I get my film and paper from http://www.7dayshop.com, good prices, never had an issue with delivery and sometimes you an get a bargain!

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks, I might get the 10x8 and the 5x7, I'm assuming that if I do the test stip on the 5x7, it will apply to the 10x8, or do things vary by batch?

I've used 7day shop before, to buy Illford pre-paid processing, best price I've seen. I'll have a look or the paper. I'm hopign 100 sheets is goign to last the 30 weeks of the course!

[ukgooner]

I used to use 5x7 for test strips and then print on 10x8 mostly, I guess if you are looking for perfection then you should use the same batch of paper if possible.

As for 100 sheets lasting 30 weeks that depends on how you get on in the darkroom, I went through considerably more than that. I also tried to always use the same enlarger as you get used to the idiosyncrasies which can save you time if you have similarly exposed negatives.

[Bone_Idle]

I'm not plannign on doing a lot of darkroom, I reckon I shoot one roll of B&W per 200-300 digital shots at the moment, it's just fun using Black and White film and I'm looking forward to learning how to devlop and print it!

If all goes well, I might have to invest in some used Darkroom equipment off ebay. Although maybe a film scanner might be more practical, and just do the developing myself!

[PeteE]

Look at 'Freecycle'sites-there is probably one near you OR contact your local camera club/photographic society,ask them if they have any traditional gear to give away-I am giving away lots of duplicated stuff on Brentwood Freecycle such as developing tanks, Harvey Brenson Contact printers and dishes.There is often stuff from widows who want to get rid of photographic gear from their deceased husbands free at camera clubs.

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks for the advice Pete, I'll take a look, my wife's signed up to both Leeds and Bradford so hopefully got a decent cachment area.

[SUNSHINE]

If you haven't purchased your paper yet, just check whether you need graded or multigrade papers ~ your tutor should be able to advise.
I did 2 courses in the past same "college", different annexes ~ required different papers!
Jo

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks, I checked last week (after I'd bought it) and luckily I got the right stuff.

I'm quite excited about learning dark room techniques, I've started to read a few articles and it doesn't seem too hard to do he basics, althoguh there seems to be a lot of 'dark art' involved if you take it a stage further and move away from the basics!

[taxor]

There are many darkroom techniques. Probably the most useful is (are?) dodging and burning. Dodging is the selective lightening of an area of the print that is maybe too dark and burning in is, pretty obviously, the opposite - that is selectively darkening (by increasing the exposure)any area that may be too light. As an example, one might need to burn in the sky on a landscape or dodge the shadows to prevent them clogging up. Let us know how your first prints come out. Good luck, T.

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks, not sure when we'll actually get round to the processign part, but hopefully it won't be too long.

It seems a bit strange being back at 'school' after 20-odd years!!

[AJUK]

Does paper ever go off?

[taxor]

Does paper ever go off?

Yes, paper does go off. How quick would depend (in the main) on storage conditions. I've used old paper and found it has a tendency to fog slightly. Contrast tends to fall off a little also. I believe a percentage solution of benzotriazole in the developer helps prevent fogging.

[BobbyNiel]

Cold weather causes condensation, fogging the goggles, visors, wind screens or any other eye protection that the rider is using. And when this happens, visibility suffers and the possibility of encountering accidents is multiplied tenfold.

Waterproof digital cameras need to be housed in materials that can protect your images and not faulty. You need to follow the manufacturer's directions when using the cameras underwater. If you use the camera in ways that it is not intended, such as taking the digital camera into depths of water it is not rated for, the camera could sustain damage. The more functions that the camera has will only enhance the user's ability to take some incredible underwater pictures. You can compare waterproof digital cameras to find the one that will work the best for your needs.


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[snowqueen]

It seems a bit strange being back at 'school' after 20-odd years!!

Hi...I know what you mean, ive just started a course at the local college...was scary!
we have learnt how to develop negs and have printed off a few photos, i love it and look forward to thursday nights more than i used to...
you will need neg bags and scissors and its a good idea to write down how you developed the photo...
f/8, grade/exposure
good luck and i hope you enjoy it
trudy

[Bone_Idle]

It seems a bit strange being back at 'school' after 20-odd years!!

Hi...I know what you mean, ive just started a course at the local college...was scary!
we have learnt how to develop negs and have printed off a few photos, i love it and look forward to thursday nights more than i used to...
you will need neg bags and scissors and its a good idea to write down how you developed the photo...
f/8, grade/exposure
good luck and i hope you enjoy it
trudy

Thanks. I also really look forward to Wednesday evenings now, I'm not sure if it was luck, but all the other 'pupils' seem a great bunch.

Still waiting to learn about darkroom, I think we're just trying to get everyone on the same page regarding some of the basics of photography first.

[AntSmith]

...there seems to be a lot of 'dark art' involved...

Dark art of the dark room! Ha... I think some of the dark art feeling comes from it being quite a complex series of concepts that make way more sense in practice than theory..

...I still work a lot in the darkroom just because I love the craft of it. Perhaps one thing that might help - others may disagree with me - but try to think about gettingthe highlights right through exposure control then get the shadows right by contrast control...that's a drak art rule of thumb maybe, but the relationship between exposure and contrast is not as obvious as it first seems...

Good look with it and DO post some results