Before clicking the link at the bottom of the page to view the 22-minute Standard video please take a look at the side by side comparisons above and the descriptive text which follows.
Consider the above comparative sections of identically exposed FP 4 film, there is a light-colored block that is underlined by a piece of black tape, the upper right of the block was exposed on Zone 4, there is another piece of black tape more difficult to see near the bottom of the tree. This piece of black tape is essentially two blocks down and one block to the left, that black value on the wall measured Zone 1 2/3. Both pieces of film were processed at N+4 and described as follows.
The Zone 4 value with increased development essentially rose to my Zone 8 density while the Zone 1 2/3 value rose to no more than a Zone 2 density. The section of film on the left was processed for a total of 50 minutes. 5 minutes of continuous initial agitation and then Minimally Agitated, i.e. for 60 seconds agitation @ the 15 and 30-minute mark and continuing to the 45-minute mark before being transferred to Stop Bath and then Fixer. The section of film on the right was Tray Processed for 17 minutes with continuous agitation. Each section was combined in PhotoShop with no manipulation whatsoever, the actual highlight densities of each independently processed piece of film are as close to identical as can be realistically expected. Looking closely at even a 72 DPI computer screen the section on the left shows more vibrancy and a greater sense of texture to the concrete. The Mid Tones show more separation which essentially means the actual slope of the film’s curve has been altered, impossible via any organic process I am aware of. This very exercise is done in each ONE on ONE or group workshop and every single student that has seen the resulting prints when asked if they see a value in developing a single sheet of film for sometimes 50 minutes as opposed to several sheets for fraction of that respond by saying “that is what I want my prints to look like” ! In fact one gentleman offered this comment, “the print on the right LOOKS like concrete the print on the left FEELS like concrete” Breaking it down into it’s simplest form, the lowest and highest measured densities in each piece of film are virtually identical, the only difference between the two negatives is the method by which the film was agitated and the dilution of the developer. The dividends are directly seen in the Mid Tone Contrast and the Separation of corresponding tonalities.
In this Standard Video, I share the evolution of how I arrived at successfully perfecting Semi-Stand and Minimal Agitation forms of development that I currently use. I have made many minor tweaks to my dilution and agitation scheme but it is the only way I have processed my film since 2003. This type of Film processing has become very popular worldwide over the last ten years. However, I do not hear many talk about the importance of developer exhausting between agitation cycles and that is why I believe my prints will always look different than those who do not embrace that component of my particular Minimal Agitation Process. The fundamental principles at work for my successful Minimal Agitation Process yielding palpable Adjacency Effects are explained below:
DEVELOPER DILUTION allows EXTENDED TIME which allows INFREQUENT AGITATION which allows DEVELOPER EXHAUSTION at the boundaries of different densities which leads to ADJACENCY EFFECTS which gives the IMPRESSION of not only higher ACUTANCE but increased MICRO CONTRAST. Each is tied together playing off one another to combine for such a powerful technique. The relationships are a delicate balance, capable of producing ADJACENCY EFFECTS beyond what is PHOTOGRAPHICALLY BELIEVABLE.
In the 40 plus minute PREMIUM VIDEO, ( which carries a subscription charge) I share the design of the tubes I use, the dilutions, how the film is loaded, presoaked, initial agitation, intermittent agitations, frequency of agitation and why those times can change, the viewer sees in daylight every step I make in the dark and most importantly why those steps can change and finally through to comparative prints. Also included in the Premium Video is my complete development chart detailing Dilutions, Ratios of PyroCat A & B components, Times, ISO adjustments and any pertinent information needed to process your film via the Minimal Agitation technique or Semi-Stand technique I adhere too.
As always, Steve, your technical knowledge is astonishing! In contrast (not to make a pun), I tend to be the type whose shooting is adapted to his processing. I get by, but I do admire those who can tweak the processing well. Maybe I should stick with Fotomat. Remember them?
I believe the so called secrets are really not complicated at all, it is a matter of understanding a few basic principles and applying them in unvarying consistency to your work flow.
Thank you for your kind words and continued support !
Hi Bud, Many thanks for reaching with kind words, I’m told that is what drives Search Engines and the popularity of any given web address. No matter what skill level anyone of us operates at the act of composing and isolating an area of particular interest is especially rewarding. I used the same approach whether I am using a cell phone or a large film camera, the act of creating far out weights the pat on the back, wow that’s a great photograph!!
Dear Steve,
Thanks again for sharing all that!
Best wishes,
Jérôme
Thank you Jérôme, always remember…Passion knows no boundaries. Your passion will carry you from student to elite photographer before you really have a chance to stop and take notice !
Wonderful article, and such a generous insight into decades of learning.
Now, I’ve gotta watch the video. Thanks.
Thank you Matteo, all things point to an inspiring ride for me to share my Process
Steve, you brought back the ancient wisdom concerning fiddling right with a negative.
Since a while I am highly interested in this old techniques; not because of their age, but because of their success, that’s my opinion.
Everything I have ever read about the advantages I can see in your fantastic prints.
Regarding the development of my orthochromatic ULF Xray film and 4×5″ Ortho25 under safelight gave me own impressions of what will happen if the speed of the development in high diluted stuff changes.
After following your advices concerning slow agitation for a while, you gave me trust and thrust for starting my own experiments with minimal agitation and stand development.
The other advantage to me is avoiding scratches of the doublesided Xray film, where controlling the highlights is absolutely necessary.
I will try your exposure technique, too, it makes a lot of sense to my own work.
Thanks for all your great informations.
Ritchie
Thank you for your kind and inspiring words. I have spent years perfecting the methods I use to arrive at an end result and while I am very pleased the way my final Silver prints look there are more discoveries on the horizon and those challenges are what excite me !!
where does one go to see the Premium Video? I have checked the blogs and the website, have I missed something?
Hello Stephen,
Not you’re not missing anything, the Premium Video is in post production, likely ready this week. The problem is I was overwhelmed with the response and the BLog is not yet setup for e commerce, I have contracted with a WordPress designer to make that happen ASAP and is in his workflow as we speak. One of the stumbling blocks will be to somehow protect against the video just being passed around to everyone’s friend or shooting buddy even if password protected to only one of two devices. That certainly is no reflection on you but it is something that has to be worked out. These types of internet and online sales issues are well beyond my understanding so I am left to the professional designers who may not share the same urgency that I do. I would just hope that you will be patient and there likely will be some type of discount to offset my being unprepared for the popularity my Blog and videos have enjoyed since January 1st. Best regards, Steve Sherman
Is very interesting your technique and video I am very thankfull if you permit us to know your technique,
Receive my best regard from ARGENTINA
Thank you Gerardo for your kind words, the Premium Videos are in production and hopefully available as soon as I can get the e commerce end of the Blog setup to accept payments so I can distribute them to those who wish to learn my Power of Process. Thank you for reaching out, interesting, a gentleman traveled from Cordoba, Argentina to me here in the United States last September to study my Process for 3 days.
Hi Steve,
how can I order this premium Video?
Many thanks in advance
Hello Hans,
I am in the process of setting up an e commerce connection to this Blog but the process has become a bit of a challenge. I do see the problem being solved in a week or so. Thank you for your interest in my Power of Process.
Steve,
Ted and I certainly are not photographers but we just love your work with its beauty and detail. We look forward to enjoying your works of art every month! Last month’s work really depicted the true beauty of the ice locally. That was truly spectacular.
Thank you Kathy for your kind words, both you and Ted know the power of passion when it comes to success. You are true professionals at the top of your game in the Real Estate world, all my pleasure to come to know you both over the years.
Steve, I have always found your process very interesting. I’ve been using Pyrocat-HD for many years now and I am always looking for ways to produce better negatives in 8×10 all the way to 14×17. In the video you seem to have this development targeted toward silver printing. I am an accomplished carbon transfer printer and always develop a full range negative. I mean I need a negative with greater density while retaining the micro contrast in the mid tones. Can your process help me in this regard? I have had some success with this in my development so far but I am looking for more consistent results. I’ve always admired your work and I believe you may be able to help me. Thanks very much. I’ll check the premium video when it is available.
Hello Jim, Thanks for your kind words, I have been aware of your imagery for sometime now, the Carbon Process seems like the only Alt. process that would seriously interest me beyond Silver.
So, if you’re using in camera negs to make your Carbon Prints then yes the Process can be exaggerated to a point that would benefit you because of it’s organic nature. I really can’t speak to whether a D neg that has had some type of unsharp masking would be that inferior, my belief is because the film development process is organic the results would be superior to that of a logarithmic generated sharpening technique. I can say this without reservation, I have made some Semi-Stand processed negs and printed them in the Palladium Process yielding striking sharpness when you consider what the normal PD. process yields for traditionally processed negs. look like. If you have interest in the Premium Video you may enter the discount code “ema” to take advantage of a 25 % discount here:
Thanks again for your kind words and interest in my Process.
Steve, thanks for your reply. I’ll check out the video. I can always use someones expertise when it comes to development. I’ve been using Sandy’s developer since it came out so I am familiar with it and always mix it myself. Many others have gone the D neg route but for me it is all about the total process. From building my cameras, developing my film and creating handmade prints I see no other way to do it. Thanks for your inspiration. On to the video and congratulations on its completion.
Steve, thanks again. I’ve watched the first three in the premium series and now it says the video is not there? Site down for maintenance. I did not download yet just viewing on line. Is that the problem? Great so far. I have gotten some very nice Pyrocat-HD 8×20 negatives that I have tray developed by inspection. I’ll check out the writings for what I assume will be tubes.
Thanks.
Hi Jim, Apologies on the Gumroad site, I have seen that maintenance reference more times than I would have imagined over the last few days. The site does seem to come back fairly quickly from what I can tell.
Tim Layton just sent me a Jpeg and the comment that this is a “game changer” to which I said it was for me too. You’ll be able to dial up in camera negs to produce mid tone relationships that you’ve probably not seen before.
Stay in touch with any questions and we’ll get the details ironed out.
Cheers, SS