Darkroom Printing Services

[shadowfox]

Hello all,

I have just finished revamping my website and instead of just a photo-journal, it now sports a new section: B&W Darkroom Printing Services.



And here's the link.

This service is dedicated to those of us who loves film photography but do not have the time nor the interest to invest in the resources to setup a darkroom (not trivial if you want to do it correctly).  This may include professional photographers who would like to offer something special for their clients, or artists who would like to see their beloved B&W negatives in glorious silver paper prints, the old-school way

My strategy is to offer the services in different packages, from fully hands-off, to customizable.  My hope is to restore the once prestigious relationship between photographers and a trusted printer.

Comments and feedback very welcome.

And, last but not least, within the next 30-days, if you are a Nelsonfoto member in good standing and you are considering to use my service, you'll get 20% off the total invoice before shipping and handling.  It's up to you to whether get the discount or alternatively donate it to Nelsonfoto.

PS: A special thanks to Pete (radiophoto) here at NF.

[Hoosier_Rich]

Sounds great Will! I'll have to look through my negs and see if I have anything nice that I didn't screw up to bad. 

[radiophoto]

Will, I appreciate the special thanks...but I can't begin to imagine what I did to merit them.

I can say, however, to those of you who might be interested in getting Will to do your prints, that he does a terrific job.  I traded prints with him and while mine was machine-made, his was hand-printed, and it's just beautiful.

Back to Will: check the link to your site.  I've tried it twice and got a hang-up, then the warning that the site could not be accessed.

EDIT: Much later, at home, I can access it, so never mind.  Must have been a glitch at work.  It looks great!

May I post your link at my site?  I have a page devoted to film developing services, and a link to having prints made could work for you.

[Glenn Thoreson]

It's great to hear someone would do this. We're losing people who hand print photos, left and right. I do not like digital anything and I always prnt my B&W stuff myself. I understand that not everyone is able to do that. That's what makes these services so valuable these days. Best of luck, Will, and thanks.

[shadowfox]

All, thank you for your best wishes.

I didn't even know where to begin offering this kind of service in this digital age.  But I believe that when people witness their own photograph for the first time printed properly on a good paper, they will appreciate it on a whole new level.  I know it did for me.

I said this a few times already, y'all feel like a distant family to me.  And who else do I have to turn to when I need to get words like these out?

[shadowfox]

Will, I appreciate the special thanks...but I can't begin to imagine what I did to merit them.

...
May I post your link at my site?  I have a page devoted to film developing services, and a link to having prints made could work for you.

Pete, you did more than what you may realized.  I knew I can produce good prints already, but being able to print is not the same as being able to offer professional services.  You have helped me in that regard.

Of course you can link my site from yours, I can use all the help I can get, bro!

Heads up: I am working on being able to offer platinum/palladium prints.  If there is something that I'm not lacking around here in Texas, is pure, high quality UV light.  Straight from the yellow big disc up there.

[Scott]

Hey, Will -

Do you now, or will you ever, have facilities to print from 4x5?  Ideally 5x7, but I know better than to ask that'n...

Scott

[radiophoto]

OK, the link is posted.  Lookie here.

[shadowfox]

Hey, Will -

Do you now, or will you ever, have facilities to print from 4x5?  Ideally 5x7, but I know better than to ask that'n...

Scott

Scott.. I know if that question ever came out, it'd be from you

I have both the Durst 510 for 4x5 and even an antique Solar 5x7 with a huge glass holder.  So the answer is yes, I can do up to 5x7 negative enlargement. 

Actually I had the chance to pick up a Durst 8x10 enlarger almost for free, but when I look at that behemoth, I realize that I had to have a crew of five lumberjacks and a freight truck, and a warehouse to put it in

How big do you want the prints to be? I currently stock up to 11x14, if you want bigger, I'd have to get the paper.

[shadowfox]

OK, the link is posted.  Lookie here.

Excellent, Pete. And thank you again.

Hey, when I get the Link page going (still thinking where to put the darn thing), I'll link your development service also, in case someone reading my website has a relative in Corpus Christi who is thinking about starting with film.

By the way, I'm not all joking about that last statement.  There is a recurring theme among wedding photographers to start offering film for their "special" packages.

[Scott]

Will, you just made me giddy like Christmas!  I'll get back with you after some shooting.  But very good to know you're capable, especially if you're doing Pt/Pd prints!

[radiophoto]

Excellent, Pete. And thank you again.

Hey, when I get the Link page going (still thinking where to put the darn thing), I'll link your development service also, in case someone reading my website has a relative in Corpus Christi who is thinking about starting with film.

By the way, I'm not all joking about that last statement.  There is a recurring theme among wedding photographers to start offering film for their "special" packages.

Will, I should really change that, because I wouldn't want to limit my services to Corpus Christi photographers only.  Yes, if you can link to me that would be great.

Scott, you're making a mess.  Try not to be so excited!

[Scott]

Scott, you're making a mess.  Try not to be so excited!

Pete, I'm closing in on an Ajax #1 Portrait Petzval, with iris, that I intend to make heavy use of!  If what's in my addled brain translates to negatives, some premium Pt/Pd prints would be so choice!

BTW, Will - you have any need for an 11x14 Beseler drum?

[shadowfox]

Will, I should really change that, because I wouldn't want to limit my services to Corpus Christi photographers only. 

Pete, if you're going after this, you may want to put your development services in packages in order to attract out-of-town/state customers.  Since you have to factor in shipping in and out costs, if you package it let's say in batches, it would make it more make sense for them.

In other words, you have to contend with the likes of BWC here in Dallas, I have used them before, and I know I got better results developing myself or use your service, but newcomers to film hasn't yet appreciate the subtle difference.  So you have to do something extra that they don't get from the pro labs.

[shadowfox]

Pete, I'm closing in on an Ajax #1 Portrait Petzval, with iris, that I intend to make heavy use of!  If what's in my addled brain translates to negatives, some premium Pt/Pd prints would be so choice!

BTW, Will - you have any need for an 11x14 Beseler drum?

Scott, I'm testing my process using Kallitype.  In a way, it's like a two-step process to get to the Pt/Pd quality.  But the overhead is much smaller to test the negative density, UV timing, etc.  which makes is a more sensible route for me who is aiming to provide a service without compromising on the quality.

On the drum, I use trays for printing, so I'm more looking for good quality trays