Silver Halide

Reply to Welcome to Silver Halide!

nobody@flickr.com (ursinovianus) — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:59:55 -0700

a very interesting point: silver on silver

Reply to Black and White Forever!

nobody@flickr.com (Silverscape) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:03:11 -0800

Hi George, thanks for joining the group and posting your topic!

I learned how to develop my own film in 2008, and it is something I'll never forget! I was so excited when I opened the developing tank and I saw that there were actually images on the film! I was surprised I did it right!

I set up a darkroom in my garage and learned how to develop B&W prints shortly after that. I haven't developed any black and white for a while, but that's just because I've had a lot going on in my personal life. I actually kind of lost interest in photography for a while, but I'm getting back into it. And of course, I use film almost exclusively.

I just shot a couple of rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 film recently. I'm planning to take some black and white photos soon too.

Black and White Forever!

nobody@flickr.com (George in Georgia USA) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:08:08 -0800

George in Georgia USA posted a new topic:

Good to see the interest in BW shooting. I'm back in the darkroom after a many years' absence; the quality of a silver print cannot be duplicated via digital methods, at least to my eyes.

It is ironic, however, that now, when I can finally afford some of the gear I lusted after in the past - Beseler c23, a Pentax 645n kit, etc - the range of BW films and especially printing paper, has shrunk. Anyone else remember silk surface paper, crystal, tapestry? Oh well, perhaps this and other groups can at least keep what we have now available.

Welcome to Silver Halide!

nobody@flickr.com (Silverscape) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:39:29 -0700

Silverscape posted a new topic:

I just wanted to say hi to everyone and thank you for joining Silver Halide.

This is the second group I've started for film photography. I know some of you are already members of the other one, Classic Film Shooters. If not, please feel free to join that one as well.

www.flickr.com/groups/classic_film_shooters/

There will be some overlap with the other group of course, but I'd like Silver Halide to be more focused on traditional black and white film photography - especially film and prints you have developed yourself.

I started this group because I began to realize there was truly something special about how black and white film and prints captured subjects. We know that black and white photographs convey a unique feel...they often have a certain moodiness, nostalgia, and instill a whole range of other emotions which might not always come across in a color picture. But I also became fascinated with how black and white film captures silver and chrome colored subjects in a photograph. I'm sure some of you have noticed it too...there is just a certain unique look to a darkroom print that you just can't quite put your finger on. I think it's because with black and white film and prints, the image is literally made of silver. So if you take a photograph of a metallic subject, it has a certain look to it because you are seeing a picture of a silver object where the image has literally been formed out of silver!

That's one thing that a digital camera definitely can't do!

I'm fascinated with the look of chrome subjects in B&W film. If you have pictures that can show off this unique quality of B&W film and prints, please post them in the group! But of course, any pictures taken with B&W film are welcome. We have a few great portraits that have been added recently.

So thanks again everyone, and please share your pictures. Also, let's get some topics going. Talk about your favorite films, some of your picture taking or developing techniques, or some of your favorite subjects.