arhphotographic

I have to say that I enjoy capturing a photo with my film cameras equally as much as developing the roll of film at home. Over the last two years I have learned much and no doubt still have more to experience in the future.

I have developed only colour films up till now. Although I would like to develop black and white films I have to admit to being put off by what seems a more complicated process. Different times for developer and fix depending on what film you’re using and what effects you are trying to get have dampened my desire.

Enter Ilford XP 2 super, a black and white film that can be developed in C41 chemicals that I use to develop my colour films. My interest was renewed. An internet search revealed surprisingly little about developing at home with C41 chemicals. Why? What was wrong I thought? Despite this I decided to give it a try.

Which camera though? It had to be one of my favourites. The Nikomat EL fitted with a 50 mm 1.8 lens to keep things simple. That way I could concentrate on the photo.

A walk in the park provided the perfect opportunity to try out this film. A couple of hours later and I had a roll of film to develop.

I don’t find it easy to “see” in black and white . What works in colour seldom works in monochrome. So to help, I took along my digital camera also with a 50mm lens to help me assess a potential shot before committing one to film. The ability to get instant feedback is clearly where this digital tool excels.

I have already described how I go about developing a roll of colour film . But here is the link if your interested. https://arhphotographic.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/home-developing/
The only step I didn’t take was to pre-wash the film. This was the only thing I did find in my internet search on the subject of developing XP2.

Having not used black and white film for years not to mention never developing it myself, I am delighted with the results. Here are a few of my favourites.

While it’s great to have a set of images I’m really pleased with and that I was able to develop, it was just part of the process. The going out, the analysing of a scene as to it’s suitability for black and white was a challenge, but a good one. It was fun which is what it’s all about.

Now where shall I use my next roll of XP 2 ?