This week I’m exchanging pixels and digital printing for negatives and chemical fixing.
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Last week I spotted a noteworthy scene. As I a traveled to my studio in Bó, Dundalk. I circled round, parked up and grabbed my little film camera from the boot of my car; there was a chicken crossing the road.
In normal circumstances a quick snap of the phone and an instagram story would ensue. A few laughs mingled with theories as to why it was crossing the road. End of.
Instead, I didn’t use my phone camera, I used my film camera. I then had to describe to friends and family the scene and wait nearly a week to develop the film and print the photo. A completely different scenario to the instant gratification the digital world provides us. Welcome to the more considered world of analogue photography.
Cen Fáth? Test strip print exposed with six second increments.
Thanks to the expert tuition of Peter from Monochrome Meath I learned how to develop my film, use an enlarger, exposure and fix the print with chemicals. I had a number of negatives to work from thanks to a rummage around a box of twenty year old negatives and a roll of HP5 film I’d shot over the past week. Gráinne, print studio manager from Creative Spark was with me and we can’t wait to experiment more in the new Creative Spark darkroom.
Louth County Council Arts Office Bursary
This opportunity to delve into darkroom alchemy has all been made possible by the bursary I received from Louth County Council Arts Office. I’d also like to thank An Táin Arts Centre and the Arts Council of Ireland along with Louth County Council Arts Office for supporting Bó Studios in Dundalk.
If you’re interested in darkroom training give Peter a follow on Instagram or check out his website, Monochrome Meath.