I feel like I’ve really nailed my color processing workflow.
I only use the Bellini C-41 kit (personal pref to have the bleach and fix separate. I’m sure other kits work well too but I like this one most).
I’m happy with the results. On 35mm, I scan at home with a Plustek scanner (tried every scanning option and hated this the least). For medium format I collect enough rolls to go to Photolaundry in SF where I can rent a Fuji Frontier for $20/h.
Another film / airport update: Changi Airport terminal 4 scans bags immediately after immigration (other terminals sometimes defer that to at the boarding gate). Spoke with an officer, he said they were happy to hand check but I was in line specifically at one of the lower powered film safe scanners (had a huge sign that said film safe on it), so I just went ahead with the scan. Will share what happens when I develop the film!
I've been struggling for quite a while. I'm a person who has to try hard every day just to be OK and I live a very carefully curated life to make sure this is possible. Despite this, despite doing literally everything I can, sometimes I am not able to keep depression and PMDD at bay. That's soul destroying.
I speak about this because many people suffer and imo the only way to approach the subject is head on.
What I learned after 6 months of developing and scanning my own film.
I’ve been messing around with film cameras for around 20 years but never really figured out how to bulk roll film or develop it (was always on my list, just never got around to it). A Christmas 2022 gift of a silly Kodak toy camera (H35) got me back into film and I decided I want to really, really learn it this time. I also couldn’t afford the $20 dev and scan per roll these days! So here’s what I did:
Here is an image of a local Bluebell Wood. Although Bluebells are naturalised in other parts of the world, they are actually native to Western Europe, and over half of the world's population are found in the UK.
Bluebells are a common indicator species for ancient woodlands, so bluebell woods can date back at least 1600 years.
Sometimes people say film is ‘purer’ because what you saw is what you got but: every scan of a color negative has been lightly edited to someone’s taste. I got into developing and scanning my own stuff to have more control over what I like (I prefer flatter colors, maybe coz I grew up shooting Fuji Superia and Reala vs Kodak films)
Ya know what I haven't done for quite some time? A live film-developing thread! The last time I did one was in August, and I developed 40 rolls in the meantime! 😁
So, let's start - first, let me gather all the stuff I need...
The Tenderloin in SF is oft-maligned. People are afraid of it, and point to it as proof of many of San Francisco's problems.
To me, my neighborhood welcomes all: including immigrants and homeless people. Almost all of my neighbors are people of color. Its languages are Vietnamese, Teochew, Spanish and Yucatec Maya.
I'm deeply suspicious of anyone who shits on the TL. We also have the best farmers market
It takes around 4 minutes to scan a whole roll of 35mm film on a commercial scanner like a Fuji Frontier, including color touch up, vs 1h+ on a home scanner. Makes me so mad. (Please don’t recommend DSLR scanning, I hate it..)
I go to a darkroom near me that’s got a Fuji Frontier for rent and.. I’m both glad I have access to one and also mad that scanning sucks so hard without one of those or a Noritsu. (Or Pakon)
My parents' retirement plan was to sell their home and move to a smaller public housing apartment on the 30th floor. These apartments did not exist even 3 years ago. There's a view of the public swimming pool and public track; public housing as far as the eyes can see. (All of it except the low rise town houses)
There are many things I dislike about my home country, but this part (and the $100K cars policy), I like.
I've been thinking about the Ilford's announcement the next week, and I've realized I'd be happier with Kentmere films in APS format than with the return of Ilfocolor.
Sure, color negative film is nice but realistically, there's no way it would be under 8€ (in my local retail stores), and if it's over that, it'll fall in Two-Rolls-Per-Year category (and I'd rather shoot slide film, then!), and APS film would make all those small APS cameras usable again. 🤔 #believeInFilm#bringBackCheapColorFilm
I've seen an Instagram reel where a film photographer bragged about moving back to the 21st century, where "taking photos is free", with a digital Hasselblad camera.
Am I just too poor to understand how does buying a $8000 camera makes you take photos for free? 🤔
(I get the idea, you don't need to buy film, but for eight grand you get quite a lot of film, even today)