This might just take a little bit, I am a High School senior, and I'm doing my Senior Project on Black and White Photography, and I was wondering if you would be able to help me? I would just like to know the basics about: 1. What kind of film should you use, Specifications of it etc...

2. What kind of Camera should you use, Specifications of it etc...

3. Actual process of developing my photographs, what kind of chemicals, temp., etc...

4. What should my darkroom have in it, what it looks like, and specifications...

If you would be so kind as to help me with my problem, I would be very grateful! Thank you for your time and Efforts!

-- Justin Lee Slone (gromit69@hotmail.com), May 05, 1998

Answers

Oh dear, this is a very general question, so it will have to have a very general answer...

In the Home page of Black and White World (http://www.photogs.com/bwworld/index.html), you will find "beginners" articles on developing B&W film, and setting up a darkroom, and printing.

To keep it simple, go for a manual 35mm SLR. Film and developer: if you are in the States, probably Kodak T-Max 100 (or 400) and Xtol. Or if you can readily get hold of it, Ilford Delta 100 (or 400) and Paterson FX39.

Everyone has their own favourite film/developer combination, and they all have different strengths and weaknesses, but these should get you started.

For printing, get a box of Ilford Multigrade glossy 10x8, and Ilford Multigrade developer. Borrow a darkroom and use its enlarger before buying and setting up your own.

If I was being argumentative, I would argue that a beginner should start with 5x4 instead of 35mm, but I'm not, so I won't.

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), May 06, 1998.