Analog film photography and cameras

Shot on expired Provia 100f on OM1 with 28mm

Like.

It was that day last December when it flash snowed, the sky over Hackney went totally Mordor!

IMO, you could sell that. Its a bit special.

another thumbs up for the snowy street shot, it's a beaut.

I like it a lot. Beautiful soft tones and colours. Top framing, but I LOVE Waricks Amusements. Cracking.

I'm sick of dust on my negatives. Anybody know an easy way to dry them to avoid dust. it is turning into a really time consuming task.

MP | Nokton 40/1.4 | Plus-X @ 400 asa | Diafine

I'm sick of dust on my negatives. Anybody know an easy way to dry them to avoid dust. it is turning into a really time consuming task.

If you are drying them in the bathroom run the shower on hot or fill the bath with hot water. Just enough to produce some steam and that will damp down the dust.

Dry them carefully and store them properly in those A4 neg holders. Use a can of air or decent blower when you want to print from/scan them.

MP | Nokton 40/1.4 | Plus-X @ 400 asa | Diafine

LOL! Great shot.

Hadn't thought of the shower thing. I'll try it next time. I always use the negative holders but by the time I get them in there it is too late they are already covered in dust.
Maybe my house is just too dusty?!

Do you use wetting agent or whatever it's called? I don't but I really need to get some, supposedly it cuts down the amount of static in the film and stops the dust being attracted.

Got some shots that I'm much happier with from the second roll shot in Blackpool (velvia 100, om1, 28mm)

And one from back in Newcastle

I tell you what, you can take a picture, can't you?

love the newcastle one

I should try wetting agent, I have been trying to use detergent to avoid water marks with some success, but I can't avoid them completely - might try distilled water with a wetting agent next time.

Just starting to get into photography (some photos above) - can anyone recommend a good book for total beginners - both technical skills and composition - for £30 or less?

Look for old photography books. Libraries might still have them, and carboot sales certainly should. Photography fairs have the best selection though. Some shops as well, like Mr.Cad are likely to have some stock as well. I can't tell you which ones are best, but once you've learned to meter well, to get the results you want......and not what the meter suggests, and you have learnt the rule-of-thirds, that's when you have the basics, and can develop your own competent style.

Here are some links. Look for older copies of each book if you can. 2nd hand would be a better bet IMO.

Amazon.com: Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual (9780316373142): Henry Horenstein, Carol Keller: Books
Amazon.com: Beyond Basic Photography: A Technical Manual (9780316373128): Henry Horenstein: Books
Photography: Amazon.co.uk: Barbara London Upton, John Upton, Barbara London: Books
Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Bryan Peterson: Books
Langford's Basic Photography: The Guide for Serious Photographers: Amazon.co.uk: Michael Langford, Anna Fox, Richard Sawdon Smith: Books
The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos: Amazon.co.uk: Michael Freeman: Books

If you don't mind shopping online try Abe books, always pretty bargainous and especially good if you know a title that you're after.

I picked up The Negative and The Print by Adams for a couple quid each and about the same for the postage. I've not read The Camera but if it's anything like as good as The Negative that'd be a good 3 books to start with. I also got Zone VI Workshop from Abe, another good read if you're going to be into zone metering.

Abebooks are a bit like Amazon in that they are a marketplace for other sellers so often the cheapest books will be in the US or something so postage can be about a fiver BUT it usually doesn't increase by much if your getting 2 or 3 books from the same seller (must be same seller) so you can pick up some bargains.

IThe Negative and The Print by Adams for a couple quid each and about the same for the postage. I've not read The Camera but if it's anything like as good as The Negative that'd be a good 3 books to start with

+1

My photography lecturer at university keeps banging on about Ansel Adam's books (the negative, the print and the camera), they really seem to the three that are widely regarded as essential, If technical competence turns you on. On a more philosophical view point roland bathes - 'camera lucida' and susan sontag's 'on photography' as fantastic.

Oh fuck, Barthes and Sontag. Didn't think I'd have to hear their names until Friday (crtitcal studies in the visual arts tutorial).
What a mince class. My year has more females than males so they just use that class to talk about feminist art n shit. It's so turgid.

The bird makes what would be an average photo quite cool.

The bird makes what would be an average photo quite cool.

The bird makes what would be an average photo quite cool.

You'll hate this one then. . .

lol.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mah_shoes

I tell you what, you can take a picture, can't you?

It would appear I can just about use a camera, yes.
Displays a look of uncertainty regarding possible sarcasm

Sad, but if this lady starts a petition, I'm signing it.

Save 16mm Celluloid......damn right.