Preliminary sketch by faroutsider
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Description
This is a photograph of me, taken by my father nearly 50 years ago. He was experimenting with darkroom techniques when this image appeared - he's still not sure exactly how he achieved this particular effect.
Remember darkrooms, chemical smells, red lights, paper kept in boxes in dark drawers, enlargers, gel filters...? My father was always in his darkroom, and I spent many happy hours with him watching in awe as the photographs appeared as if by magic on the paper, gently coaxed to life through a series of chemical baths in white trays. I understand the chemistry now, but I still love the magic...
Scanned from an A4-sized print. The photograph was retrieved by my brother when clearing out his garage last week. I have no idea about the technical details of the photograph, except that it was shot with a Pentax 35mm SLR in 1962.
Enjoy!
Craig
Previous image: Eyes and the Night (collaboration with hipps13)
Previous image: Eyes and the Night (collaboration with hipps13)
Comments (24)
carlx
Fantastic portrait and expression, Craig!!!
e-brink
Very, Very interesting. It seems like the paper (very high contrast) was moved (jiggled) in at least two directions - but that would only explain half of it - so maybe some masking was going on. It also seems that the left hand side is part solarised too... maybe - which was a very hit and miss technique, involving exposing the paper to full light very briefly. Anyway, apart from that, it's a really great portrait as well - full of character. I like the textures in the hair, face and pullover too. Something to be very proud of.
Miska7
Very strange effects. Excellent image!
weedge
Neat image It looks like he may have been using litho film,or just the highest # filter with a really contrasty image for printing, also multiple exposure, or shifting the paper while exposing,and possibly a little Sebattier effect.
amota99517
This is such a neat shot! What a wonderful find and a great gift to receive. Thanks so much for sharing this moment from the past.
babuci
Most fascinating photograph almost looks like an etched work on dark glass.
hipps13
1962 is a very good year :-) I bet it was a treat to watch so much eyes can tell and see wonderful capture, Craig warm hug with a smile my friend, Linda
Black-Carrie
Fantastic done image! Excellent!
schonee
Very cool glad you shared it with us. I was born in 1962 : O
Savage_dragon
I grew up with wires all over the den floor. Dad made all his own electronics, stereos, etc. I saw stuff like this, too. When I tripped over the wires & hit my head. Lol. Very cool effect he achieved. ")
popeslattz
Are you sure this isn't one of Mandi's pieces? Very nice shot with cool effects, however they were achieved. Hey, I was born in '62 too! Looks like you've got a couple of years on me...
Lunastar
This is amazing. I remember dark rooms my fathers was too small for anyone else to be in there. I remember the red light on the wall outside by the door warning everyone not to come in. Amazing effect.
Umbetro38
Hi Craig - this was a great Ida to show us your Photo - the effect here looks fantastic - and I think 1962 was a great year ( I´m born 1964 )
lyron
Fantastic image!!
Darkwish
Awesome pic! Great!
flora-crassella
wonderful photo work!!!!!
Jollyself
wow striking, raw and beautifully done
novelist
Love this! Those dark rooms had such a magical feel to them . . . watching images slowly appear in their baths. This is a wonderful portrait. I love how it looks etched.
WZRD
Woah! Nice pic! Even nicer stroll down memory lane - I rmember spending hours with my Dad in his darkroom. I was the official tray jiggler which involved gently jiggling the trays of chemicals so the photographic paper was always in contact with the freshest developer or fixer. Digital photography is much faster and more convenient but lacks the ambience of those warm nights in the red glow of the safety oamp. Thanks for the memories Craig!
beatoangelico
Fantastic portrait and textur...well done..!!!
Burpee
Love how you reworked this.
grafikeer
This has a sense of being a speed sketch life drawing,like white conte on black paper...superb!
Cgaynor
Wonderful work!
photostar
Somehow I missed this, Craig. This is certainly a treasure to possess. Your narrative brought back many memories to me. I remember my mother had a small darkroom setup in a cramped closet underneath the attic stairway when I was a wee lad...the white porcelin trays, yellow boxes with the name Kodak on it, chemicals and her hand-coloring many of the B/W photographs which she would painstakingly develop.