Pre Construction

[PlantedTao]

Worked in the darkroom this weekend...Didn't get as much done as I wanted, but I did take a lot of your suggestions and this is what I came up with.
Before and After...

Hit me with your suggestions

[zrfraser]

On my screen the the first one is pretty good. what were the specifications on these (time, filter, etc.) The second just looks too dark, but I do like the rocks on the second one. Overall, nice job.

[PlantedTao]

Zack - your driving me crazy! (not really, I appreciate the help)
Last time, your comment and just about eveyone else, was the first was too muddy and no enough contrast. No tonal range. And now you like it
Print #1 2.5 filter @ 26 secs - burned in the clouds
Second is with a 3.5 filter at 22 secs burning in the clouds with 2.5 filter.

I actually kinda like the darker one...it is closer to the mood I was trying to achieve. Of course I may go back to the darkroom and try the 3 filter...probably a good compromise.
The sky on #2 is the look I want...I'm just not too happy with the hills and excavator.

This is one of the most rewarding print (and frustrating) that I have worked with...it is teaching me a lot about filters and how to burn and dodge areas. Of course it is costing a small fortune to get it right

Any tips on choosing the correct filter from the get go?

Cheers

[zrfraser]

Ok upon closer examination I do like the second I just wish the hills had more detail. Try dodging the hills a little more to pull out the detail. I would go with a 3 all the way around and not worry about changing filters for burning or dodging.

Choosing the right filter for me comes down to gut instinct. I look at all my negs on a light table with a good loupe. Then I try and find the one that already has a good tonal range. I want to see blacks, clear areas, and grey areas. If the negs look to contrasty I will start with a 2-2.5 filter to tone the contrast down. If they are flat I will bump up to a 4. Most of the time I will generally use only about 4 filters all the time. 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5. These are ,y bread and butter filters and if you ever look at them you will notice. I will also use test strips of paper that are pretty thin, about .5 inch wide. I do this just to get my tonality dialed in and so I don't use so much paper. Once I decide on my tonality I will use a full sheet and expose parts of it at different times. I generally do 5 second increments and go that will range from about 30 seconds to 5 seconds. On this print I will make sure my print is in focus and now I can see overall where I need to dodge and burn, and what times look good on certain areas.

With any luck I can get a good print with about 5 sheets. Sometimes less if my hunches work out well. Its hard to view pics on my laptops lcd because the screen is never in the same position. If I move it then the pics look different. The second is good just a little more dodging and you've got a winner.

[gahspidy]

Tao, I like the first image here best. I really appreciate being able to make out all the line of trees in the distance and see the details in the hills. the excavator stands out stronger against the more faded hills and the skies are still dramatic and effective. Possibly a slight bit more contrast in the foreground could help, but I like it alot as it is.

[F-15_Flyer]

I like the ground and clouds better in pic 2, and the cat and trees are just about what you want in pic 1.

Try just doing what you did in pic 2 and dodge the cat and trees 5 seconds or so.

Good luck.

[PlantedTao]

Zack -Once again thanks again for the help...I think I need to do more test strips in the beginning and at that time try different filters. I just don't have enough experience to go with my gut feel from the get go.

Gary - Good to see you back...I hope your gallery show went well(at least I think you had one coming up?)
It's funny that you like this one...when I first posted it got kinda knocked around saying it had no tonal range. I went back and over did it on the second try, so I will try one more time. But the first image is starting to grow on me. Thanks for the help.

Flyer - Thanks for the suggestion. The sky and trees will be easy to handle and the cat is going to give me problems. I'm thinking that it may be easier to to print the first one and then burn in the foreground and sky.
I hope to post again.

Thanks.

[molaselake]

First one. Deeeeefinitely the first one. There's too much contrasty darkness in the second.

[F-15_Flyer]

I look forward to seeing your future prints. I'm a dark room guy myself.

[PlantedTao]

Ok...I'm finally happy with the results (& sick of the negative )

This was my last print...split filter
2.5 filter for 18 secs
3.5 filter for 9 secs
burn the hell out of the sky for +40 secs with both filters
burn the foreground +9 secs with 3.5 filter

This is the mood and overall composition that I wanted...desolate, before the the destruction (construction) begins...change is on the way.

Thanks for all the help everyone.
Cheers.

[zrfraser]

You nailed it...excellent darkroom work. Gotta love the smell of fixer and dektol...