Photobook, Непрояв. / Undev.

Pavel Kosenko, a Russian photographer, has a video showing of his latest photobook, "Непрояв. / Undev." Eery, black on black images show both the film negative image, and the print positive image, on each page. Just another level of art, packaged neatly. Well worth the visit to YouTube to see.
See also:

• Adox Implosion photos, by Pavel Kosenko
• Snow in Moscow, by Pavel Kosenko

Ctein: Post Exposure

The legend in his own time, the photographer known simply as Ctein, has released (for now, anyway) free, downloadable copies of his book, "Post Exposure: Advanced techniques for the Photographic Printer." This book gives solid advice on theory and how the eye and photographic materials work. This blogger is working slowly through the book, but it already has introduced new facts and figures to what I already know. While novices can learn from this book, it is certainly for the intermediate photographer and up. It should prove to be educational and a solid start to better printing.

The book is over 170 pages long. Topics include basic visual theory, the enlarger, printing with papers in B&W and colour, tricks of the trade, photograph permanence and more.

Ctein himself has been a successful printer since learning dye transfer photographic printing back in 1975. The materials and processes may have changed over time, but the human eye has not. So the hard learned rules still hold and can be passed on to the next generation of printers. Recommended.

Film Ferrania in the News, February 2016

In Febraury, Film Ferrania founder, Nicola Baldini, was interviewed by the German magazine Cine 8-16. This is the English translation. Nicola reveals much of the difference between Film Ferrania's Kickstarter from over a year ago and the typical Kickstarter. For one, the purpose was to raise funds to buy the Ferrania film production equipment before it was scrapped, rather than to purchase product that was on the verge of production.

Due to unforeseen circumstances (asbestos in the building) and other issues, production has been delayed by a year, but is now back on schedule to start production of the film for the rewards. With more plans of possibly introducing a wider variety of slide films, a negative film based on the last Solaris film, and even possibly a movie film, Ferrania P30, depending on demand. Nicola explains that due to the history of Ferrania, the plant is self-contained. The production of film there is self-contained and not dependent on outside suppliers, which he states is of benefit to a film producer today.

The Ferrania film has another advantage, long term stability after processing. Old samples of film were found in the factory, and were determined to be from the 50s and 60s, still with life-like colours. Since the new production will use the same recipes, it is hoped that it will have similar stability.

Here are a few parting words from Nicola Baldini on the future of Film Ferrania:

For market strategy reasons, the first film produced by FILM Ferrania will be a color reversal film in the following speeds: 64D, 100D, 200D, 400D, 640T, 800/3200T. Subsequently the introduction of a negative film is also scheduled (derived from last Solaris film) in 100, 200 and 400 ISO speeds. The release date of the negative film will depend on the market demand. Regarding black & white film, we think that at this moment there are excellent products (Ilford, FOMA, Orwo) already in the market. Therefore, we prefer to concentrate on color that from the production point of view is far more critical than black & white. With that said, for special products like the historic Ferrania P30 that was used for the greatest masterpieces of Italian cinema, we are certainly considering a small production in limited edition.

New film: JCH StreetPan 400

The founder of Japan Camera Hunter is releasing a new panchromatic B&W film, StreetPan 400. This film is based on a now discontinued surveillance camera film, but is said to be fantastic for street work. With fine grain, high speed, a contrasty look and red sensitivity to cut through fog and haze, it is said to be great for all conditions. Looking over the specifications, a lot of thought has been put into the design of the film base and coatings, offering a gelatin backing to reduce scratches, anti-static layers and so on.

The film is being financed by the founder himself, and he needs your support to make the project a go. Kickstarter just does not appeal to his sensibilities. In his own words:

This film is not quite ready yet, but it has already cost me a simply stunning amount of money. And as I absolutely hate sites like kickstarter I have decided that the best thing I can do is offer this on pre-order so that you get your film when it comes out. This also helps me to pay for the film, because it is such a large amount of money. The film will be ready for shipping around May/June of 2016, so you don’t actually have all that long to wait.

StreetPan 400 is being offered in bricks of ten for 9750 yen. That is comparable to rolls of Ilford film around here at time of writing, so it is not too expensive. Due to currency fluctuations, price may very for your region over time.

Show your support at the JCH shop for JCH StreetPan 400.

JCH StreetPan 400 adds to the just fantastic assortment of film available today, and is more great news for film. Hope you had a great Easter weekend, for those who observe it. See also:

• Adox Implosion, photos by Pavel Kosenko
• Adox Fotowerke-of-Berlin
• Kodak Serious About Film
• Update from Film Ferrania, December 2015
• Impossible Project 8x10 Instant Film
• Cinestill 800T Test Run
• CineStill Film
• Film Ferrania - Film for the Next 100 Years

Profile: Monica Glitz

Monica Glitz is a Canadian photographer specializing in alternative processes, such as tricolour pigment and platinum palladium prints. Her work, Ancient Splendour by Monica Glitz, will be on exhibition for the first time in Toronto at the Dylan Ellis Gallery, 1840 Danforth Ave, from April 22th through May 31th 2016. This exhibit will show her photos of over 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites – some of the most photogenic places that one could ever wish to visit.

The Dylan Ellis Gallery has an interview with Ms. Glitz about Ancient Splendour and her background as a photographer.

See also: Bob Carnie Printmaking

YouTube: Writer profiles Ansel Adams

A YouTube writer covers the early days of Ansel Adams, digging up old movies and the secret to Adams' success: visualization and the Zone system. Worth a watch for the original bits from Ansel Adams himself.

THIS Interviews the Impossible Project

A particularly good interview from THIS, this video is well worth the 10 minutes to watch. Everything from the history of how Polaroid got into the situation it did, how The Impossible Project came about to the materials used in making SX-70 compatible film to what happened to the guy who bought Polaroid and how he put an end to Polaroid instant film. (Hint: he is in jail. Karma? You decide.) Highly informative with many details.