Is Film Dead? (Darkroom)

[Michael Slade]

You do strictly B&W, Right?

Yep. Any personal work is strictly film and only done in black and white. Sometimes printing in 19th century processes like VanDyke and Platinum/Palladium, sometimes scanning and printing on an inkjet printer.

I do shoot color though for commercial work, but thankfully I don't have a lot of it.

As for turning your vehicle into a darkroom? Unless you are doing wet-plate and you HAVE to process immediately, I would say enjoy the non-shooting hours and relax. If you are always processing film then you aren't really enjoying the day's non-shooting activities.

 

[FourByLand]

Interesting.

Do you have this equipment at home or do you use what you teach your students on?

So talk to me about the business side of it. I would like to eventually make this my profession and am willing to dedicate anything needed to do so but don't want to starve in the meantime. Is this why people do commercial digital and then film and large format as a hobby or on the side?

Would you recommend finding someone to "follow" around to pick up some experience and knowledge?

 

[Michael Slade]

I recommend getting a degree in business or nursing or something that will guarantee you an income within a national population that is rapidly growing older.

THEN...

You can afford to buy cameras, take trips and enjoy your photography.

All of the alternative processes I can do at my home, I have all of the equipment/tools necessary here to do it.

People to follow? Yes, find people that enjoy what they do and emulate them. Don't pick photographers...that path will only lead to pain and sorrow. :coffeedrink:

My advice might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek, but seriously that's what I would recommend.

 

[john101477]

I recommend getting a degree in business or nursing or something that will guarantee you an income within a national population that is rapidly growing older.

THEN...

You can afford to buy cameras, take trips and enjoy your photography.

All of the alternative processes I can do at my home, I have all of the equipment/tools necessary here to do it.

People to follow? Yes, find people that enjoy what they do and emulate them. Don't pick photographers...that path will only lead to pain and sorrow. :coffeedrink:

My advice might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek, but seriously that's what I would recommend.

hahaha X2 - if your gonna follow photographers do so in a group setting lol. Find a serious photography group in your area. Photography is really a dog eat dog deal and the higher up the ladder someone has climbed the less they are willing to throw a bone to the guys reaching. Oddly enough I have been thinking of a career change myself and in doing so I will have to go back to school. After talking to the school for a few hours they told me strait out Business with some photography and design on the side but they stressed business as where I need to be headed. 33 yrs old and back to school... geez thats what happens when the hot jobs of yesterday are todays extinct professions

 

[FourByLand]

I recommend getting a degree in business or nursing or something that will guarantee you an income within a national population that is rapidly growing older.

THEN...

You can afford to buy cameras, take trips and enjoy your photography.

All of the alternative processes I can do at my home, I have all of the equipment/tools necessary here to do it.

People to follow? Yes, find people that enjoy what they do and emulate them. Don't pick photographers...that path will only lead to pain and sorrow. :coffeedrink:

My advice might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek, but seriously that's what I would recommend.

Sounds like more great advice.

I am still learning and enjoying what I am doing so I will continue to post my progress and any questions that I have along the way!