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Robert K. Byers' interest in fine art photography started
in 1961 with studies with Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock and Brett
Weston. He was a Trustee of the Friends of Photography for
nineteen years. During his tenure that organization reached
a membership high of 17,000. In addition...full
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As featured in our Fall 2005 Catalog
So You Want To Be A Great Darkroom Printer?
Making great prints in the darkroom doesn't happen by accident. Like anything done well, it is a labor of love and doers not come easily. If you are equal to the challenge it will open up an exciting lifetime avocation. It is a lot of hard work and involves many years of studying the technical aspects of photography. It starts with classes, workshops, textboxes on photography and supplies, including chemicals, photographic papers, films and a knowledge of sensitomitry. Also, it involves countless hours in the darkroom on a regular basis, not just a casual visit once or twice a month. Before one even opens the darkroom door, you must have in your hand exposed film that contains excellent "previsualized" images, not images made by a random pressing of the shutter release.
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As featured in our Fall 2004 Catalog
MY FAVORITE FILTER
An important part of my photography gear to use on trips are filters for black and white film. I use both 4" square gelatin
filters which drop into a slot on a lens shade as well as glass ones that screw into the lens. I use these primarily in
reproducing a blue sky correctly to show clouds and in reproducing foliage greens light enough to appear natural.
For clouds I
usually use an orange (#21), which is my favorite, and for foliage a light green (#11). Sometimes I use ...
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To ask Mr. Byers a question please fill out the form below. The most
popular questions and answers will be posted on this page.
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| Ask the Expert Question/Answer |
Question:
Dear Mr. Byers,
I am a student at the Amsterdam FotoAcademie and the last one doing mainly analog, I build myself a new studio half a year ago with a Durst Laborator 1200. The results are very rewarding from time to time, but still I feel I have to reinvent the wheel while everyone around me does digital. I do want to become a professional (analog) photographer but things are not getting easier. In Holland materials are very hard to come by, a good thing I can get a lot at freestyle by mail order now. Do you have any advice?
Thanks from Amsterdam,
Pim
Answer:
Hi Pim,
You certainly live in a beautiful country to photograph. I have worked there with a view camera, especially in Amsterdam. Keep working in the darkroom to produce silver prints. Most of my friends in photography, and they number among th...full answer
Question:
Dear Mr. Byers,
I have been doing some b+w printing in our spare bathroom. I have an old Omega D-2 enlarger. With it I have 75mm and 50mm lenses. Also, one small and large condensing lens. The only real trouble that I have had is that when I want to make larger prints (8x10 or 11x14) I run into all sorts of horrible vignetting on my print. I have been able to make use of this by simply burning the edges of the print. However, I have never had any problems like this before when making prints on my smaller Durst 35mm enlarger.
Please if you have any advice about how to correct this, whether it's something that I doing wrong, or if I just need a different condensing lens. I really appreciate any help.
Respectfully,
Isaiah T. Answer:
Hi Isaiah,
I had that unit years ago and recall that you have to match up the film size, lens and condensers. I recall the condensers came for 4x5 film, medium format film and 35. The lenses were 135mm or 150mm for 4x5, 75mm or 80mm for the medium...full answer
Question:
What is your opinion of the odor free stop bath and fixer? I am just now getting back into black and white. I am setting up a darkroom in my house. What is your favorite paper developer?
Thank you in advance,
Lyndall Answer:
I have never used odor free stop bath or fixer, nor do the ones I use bother me at all. I would not use the odor free even if you don't vent the darkroom properly (which you should) with an exhaust fan. I use diluted glacial acetic acid. I mix my own...full answer
Question:
I'm fairly new to film photography. I shoot primarily 4x5 and some 8x10. I've recently become introduced to the work of Brett Weston. I'm in love with the tonal pallette and image sharpness that he achieved... needless to say his artistic ability was obviously very special. My question to you if you wouldn't mind... what materials available today would be apt to lend themselves to the tonal pallette and sharpness achieved by Mr. Weston. Are the same films/developers/papers available today? If not are there any close seconds? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bob Answer:
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your question about Brett Weston's large format work. I photographed extensively with him for many years and can assure you that there were no special materials that he used to account for his beautiful images. A lot of his r...full answer
Question:
I have been printing B&W for a while now after many years of color printing. I have been using multigrade FB papers for 16x20 salon quality prints. Can I get the same quality of prints using RC papers, such as Ilford Warmtone RC verses Ilford Warmtone FB? Can I get the same good tones? Will the RC papers tone like FB papers?
Sharp T. Answer:
To Sharp T.,
FB, or fiber papers, and RC, or resin papers, have the same emulsion coating and only the backing differs in each type. Both tone the same. The range of tones is the same and the only difference is visual to some people. The differenc...full answer
Question:
Hello Mr. Byers,
This question might be a bit unusual. When looking at the various portrait shots of the experts in the Freestyle catalog, I can't help noticing the tonality and the sharp detail and old-world look that jumps off the page in the portrait they've printed of you.
Would you tell me please, how was this image captured? Film/lighting/processing/lens etc.
I can't quite put my finger on why it strikes me as such a fantastic portrait, but it just does. Compliments to the photographer. I've been shooting E6 almost exclusively for many years and am about to start dabbling in b&w.
Your answer about the technical aspects of the photo would be appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Lynn
Answer:
Lynn:
Here is an answer to your question about the portrait used by Freestyle.
It was taken on the patio of our home in natural light, hand held and cropped in the camera, by my daughter, Elizabeth. She was using my Leica M3 with a Nikon 85 ...full answer
Question:
Dear Mr. Byers,
I recently printed with Oriental paper for the first time. The package was unopened but somewhat dated. I had very poor results with the drying of the prints. In a blotter book, they stuck to the waxed paper inserts and took the impression of the wrinkled wax paper. In an electric dryer the surface took the impression of the canvas. The emulsion had an almost sticky quality while drying. I am wondering if it was due to the age of the paper, over-washing or just the nature of this paper. How do you recommend the Oriental paper be dryed for best results?
Thanks,
Bill
Answer:
Hi Bill,
Sorry to hear about your experience with Oriental paper, however, I don't think you should blame the paper.
I have used Oriental for many years and I have never had a problem, just great prints. Even today I have some 16x20 Oriental ...full answer
QUESTION:
I have been using Ilford Multigrade pearl and I'm ready to try new
paper. After reading Ansel Adams "The Print" and his personal preferences
on papers, I would like to try Oriental, ,but I'm unsure of the
type of grade. I would also like to try fiber base. I will be going
to Santa Fe in five weeks and shooting true infrared, besides B&W.
I prefer a pearl/matte finish, but will try a glossy finish. I use
Dektol developer.
MR. BYERS' ANSWER:
Hi Amy, I think that you will like Oriental paper and should
try it. I use Oriental VC FB (fiberbase) and you can use Ilford
Multigrade filters. This is the one I would suggest although the
Cachet paper is as good...full
answer
QUESTION:
I am wanting to experiment with my nature photography. I am wanting
to capture the sunlight rays that come down in forrest. I also want
to be able to blow the pictures up to poster size photographs. What
is the best speed B&w and color film to use. Also is there a better
time of the day to achieve the best dramatic view of the light.
Marita
MR. BYERS' ANSWER:
There are problems with exposing B&W or color film to capture sunlight
in a forest. It is difficult to expose both for the sunlight and
the darker forest. I suggest that you do a lot of experimenting
with your camera and light meter and teach yourself. A tripod is
most important as is a good light meter to expose for the highlights
and the shadows...full
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QUESTION:
Hello, I am a photo student at Alhambra High and have grown to love
photography. My friend and I are so in love with capturing...no
stealing the beauties of life. My friend and I have fallin in love
soo much that we wish to start our own darkroom away from school
so...
ANSWER:
If Ansel (1902-1984) were alive today I am sure he would tell you
to pursue your dream and become involved in photography. This can
become a lifetime avocation which will give a lot of meaning and
balance to your life and your ultimate vocation. The search for
the perfect or "ultimate" image is exciting and worthwhile. Go find
it! Perhaps the search is the goal...full
answer
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