Photography: ID 11, Camera Clubs, Digital And The Like . . .
A simulated platinum print using ‘Tony Real’
You may have noticed that I am into monochrome at the moment. Long ago we used to mix our own fixer at Blandford Grammar School Camera Club, but we always bought our ID 11.
I once won the prize in the photographs junior category although I had inserted the negatives upside down in the enlarger. I was the only junior entrant.
My very best enlarger lens was a Leitz that I purchased on the Tottenham Court Road. I loved the standard of images I made with it but lamented the daylight hours lost in a darkened room.
The County Forum Magazine, (and Cahoots: Manchester’s Guide To Alternatives, before it), were printed in monochrome. I worked on both these publications.
I like monochrome because it has a surreal quality. A simple shift of tone can change the entire psychological nuance of an image.
You cannot replicate tonal variations using a standard monochrome newsprint process, on the web however it’s easy.
When I load the E-400 with an XD Card I pretend it’s a film and shoot in Olympus RAW (ORF), and monochrome JPG. The ORF file may be processed as monochrome or colour. The monochrome version from an ORF file may always be made to reveal more detail than an in-camera JPG, but the in camera JPG preview helps to assess if another shot is needed.
I use Bibble Pro to process all my Olympus E-400 RAW images. I am also using Andy Pro and Tony Real to produce simulated film and print processes. Andy Pro and Tony real are Bibble plug-ins.
I also use Power-Retouche plug-ins in Adobe PhotoShop.
It is sacrilege to write that I achieve far better results using a digital camera and software than I ever achieved with a real, (film), camera and an enlarger.
I am sacrilegious.
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September 2nd, 2007 at 10:22 pm
[...] be told it was far easier to process films at Blandford Grammar School’s Camera Club than at home because the school had a completely light tight darkroom in which we could load the [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hi Stephen,
I use Bibble Pro too, and enjoy Sean’s plugins… however, you may be missing some fun… have you tried LightZone yet? I think you will really appreciate what you can do with your E-400 RAW files and the B&W filters… Lightzone gives you the sort of control you will be used to from your dark room days.
Kind Regards
Brian
October 1st, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Brian,
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my modest journal.
Aside from the fact that you’re an E-400 user I consider you to be one of the gentle-persons on the dpreview Olympus Forum. I have watched your experiments with Hexanon lenses with interest, and when I can release a spare E-400 body may well indulge in that fun.
As to lightroom I have today downloaded a trial copy and will let you know what I think.
With warm regards,
Stephen
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
[...] Brian Mosely wrote suggesting that I experiment with Lightzone® and so yesterday confabulated the name I downloaded the trial version of Adobe Lightroom instead of [...]
October 4th, 2007 at 9:06 am
[...] of you who read yesterday’s post know that following a recommendation by Brian Mosley I mistakenly installed a trial version of Adobe Lightroom® on my computer, when Brian had [...]
November 4th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Hello again Stephen, I see that you’re giving LightZone and Lightroom a good trial… sounds like Lightroom is really working well for you, perhaps I should have another look myself, thanks for the tip!
Kind Regards
Brian
November 6th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Hello Brian,
Well actually I’ve now removed both Lightroom and Lightzone and decided to stay with Bibble Pro for the moment.
I am however following one of your other tips and investing in some legacy lenses. In fact after I ordered an OM 24mm Zuiko on E-Bay I also purchased an OM-1 so that I can use both it and the 50mm OM Zuiko for film, and then via an adapter put them on the E-400.
Stephen