Response to What is needed to get started in black & white photography & processing?

Ann-I to am also getting started in photography, in a way. I'm getting back into things after about a 10 year absence. That's another story, but to answer your question I think my experience can help.My best advice is one a teacher gave me about 20 years ago, K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid! (we had other variations on that one) The kind of photography you do will dictate the equipment you will need. By that I mean portrait work demands certain lenses and lights, sports require longer lenses & motor drives, maybe you like taking pictures of your friends or taking pictures on vacation. You will need to decide that. For me, I like to do landscapes and other various nature work. I recently built a 4X5 camera from a kit because I need a large format for what I do. Large format cameras can be very expensive so I found a kit for $250. Add a $300 lens and you have a relatively inexpensive camera. You most likely will start with a 35mm, most people do. I suggest looking for a used camera, say a Nikon F or F2, maybe an FM. These are dependable, rugged cameras without a lot of "frills." I would stay away from auto anything right now. Give yourself a chance to learn the basics and worry about bells and whistles later. These Nikons will give you a good selection of quality lenses to pick from without breaking the bank (well, they may put a dent in it.) I suggest starting out with one lens, a 50mm. Challenge yourself to be creative without the luxury of optical assistance. It's tough! It will force you to learn how to get the most out of your equipment and yourself. I also suggest getting the best tripod you can afford. Then make it your best friend. I've been using a Leitz Tilt-all (sp?) for as long as I can remember. It too is well built. I forever thank the store owner who suggested I purchase it. My work became noticably better when I started to use a tripod for all of my pictures. I generally work with available light so I can't suggest a good strobe if you need one. Maybe someone else can. As far a film and chemicals go, remember K.I.S.S.? Start out using one film/developer combination and stay with it for oh, maybe a year or more depending on how much you shoot. My suggestion is Kodak's Tri-X and D-76 to develope it in. This is a very common, but very usefull pair! It's also a very forgiving combination of film and developer. It will give you very good results over a very wide range of subjects. Use these two until get a feel for exactly how they will handle different situations. When your results become predictable only then try another film/developer combination. By this I mean when you no longer "hope something comes out." When you start feeling confident that you have captured a great image, before you process, you'll know enough to be able to compare another film/developer combination. I also suggest some reading on the subject of film and developer relationships. There is great information on this site and others as well. If your going to do your own printing you'll need a darkroom and enlarging equipment as well. Someone suggested a Beseler D-23. I agree, it would be a great choice. Try looking in the local papers, and shoppers to see if there is any used equipment available near you. Also, yard sales, flea markets or try the local camera shops. They seem to know the skinny on what is available in your area. Kodak's chemicals are readily available for you other needs, stop baths, fixers, wash aids and toners. Again, you'll need to do some homework on what you'll need. Get friendly with the folks behind the counter at your local camera store, they will be glad to help. When you start printing stick with graded paper at first. You may want to try a couple of different kinds to see what you prefer. Buy small quantities at first until you find one you like, then stick with it. I suggest using Dektol diluted 1:2 to develope all of your paper at first. As far as the room goes, well anywhere you can find a dark place with running water (hot water is a big plus) and electricity. Basements have always worked well for me, but my dream is to have a darkroom above ground! If your not ready to take the plunge and build your own room, look around and see if you know anyone who already has a darkroom. Local clubs, schools, libraries, some cities even have places that rent darkroom space on an hourly basis. Maybe your lucky enough to have something like that near you. Now I'm sure I haven't told you all you need to know, but I would like to add one last important(to me) item. This was one I picked up when I was in school, but didn't realize it until I was out of school. It's this, start looking at photographs, lots and lots of photographs. Search out other photographers work and look at it, study it. Look at "photographs" not reproductions or pictures in books (they can help, but not like the real thing.)Go to galleries, exhibits, art shows, wherever you can find pictures. You need to "educate" your eyes to see what 'good' and 'bad' pictures look like. This takes time and lots of pictures. Hang your own work where you can see it. I suggest using a corkboard so you can pin up work in progress, you know, things that you wouldn't normally put the effort into mounting and framing. Get into the habit of looking at pictures. This is difficult to explain, but it wasn't until I was out of the enviroment of having pictures around me all of the time did I realize how important it was to have photographs to look at. The more the better. Get around photographs and photographers and learn all you can. What can you expect? Expect to become a junkie! This medium is addictive, but in a good way. Also expect to start seeing the world in a way you never would have seen it without a camera. Best of Luck!!!

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