Pyro - Tears

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I received my PMK stock solutions along with Gordon Hutchings book about a weeks ago. I was pretty aprehensive at first, but finally got the courage to give it a try this evening.

Just so I would not ruin an important roll of film, I shot a roll of Ilfor Delta 100 for testing purposes. I exposed it at EI-80. I live in Soutrh Florida and the tap water runs about 78-80F. Photographers Formulary indicates that there is no loss in negative quality with higher temps so I cut the roll in two and processed both pieces. One at 68F and the other at 80F.

As I did not want to peek, I washed one as the other was developing. Then the moment of truth. I rolled each off the reel and cliped them up. I examined both.

Tears came to my eyes. :-) These are the most beautiful negatives I have ever seen. If they print half as good as they look I don't think I will use anything else. They appear to have an incedible tonal range with a soft greige (greyish brown) color. Totally way too cool!.

Initially I see no difference between the roll developed at 68F and the roll developed at 80F. I did a quick exam with a 6x loupe. Perhaps when they are dry in an hour or two I will take a better look.

For now, I am just so emotional.......

Mike

-- Mike Kravit (mkravit@mindspring.com), June 14, 1999

Answers

I started using PMK as soon as I found the formula published in a magazine about five years ago, and have rarely used anything else since. I had the formula up on my web site for a time, but was warned that Gordon Hutchings might threaten to sue me if I left it there. Does anyone know if this is true? I assumed that if he published the formula it would be in the public domain unless he attempted to patent it. Any comments?

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@earthlink.net), June 15, 1999.

To my knowledge, Gordon Hutchings has given the PMK formula to the world. I don't believe that he makes any money from its sale by the several chemical companies that do sell the kits. I woud think that he does want to sell his book "The Book of Pyro" so I may be wrong, anyone who is interested in pyro should by this book.

-- Jeff White (zonie@computer-concepts.com), June 15, 1999.

Mike, I could not agree more. 4x5 and 8x10 negatives I have developed in PMK are so beautiful, I just love to look at them on a light table. Sergio.

-- Sergio Ortega (s.ortega@worldnet.att.net), June 16, 1999.

I have never seen a print from a negative developed in PMK and where I live I never expect to see one if I don't start to use the chemicals myself. I have seen the chemical for sale (a quite expensive bottle with some white residue on the bottom of it) but not the book. Where do you buy the book, I can't find it on the black&white world book store on net? Is this only for low contrast pictures and what does it do to skin- tones?

Peter

-- Peter Olsson (Peter.Olsson@sb.lulebo.se), June 18, 1999.


Peter, PMK only seems expensive-- the dilution is basically 1:100, so a little goes a very long way. Hutchings book is available as are the chemicals from Photographers Formulary. URL is:www.montana.com/formulary/index.html . PMK is probably not the ideal developer for everything-- it is a highly compensating developer that is probably best suited for high contrast scenes. I love it !!!!!! I shoot landscapes, which are usually quite contrasty, and with PMK the highlights are not a white blob--they print texture. The neat thing about PMK is that the Pyro stain tends to mask the grain, so the prints look nice, whether 35mm or medium format(6x4.5). I'm still working on getting my MF negs optimized-I use Ilford 400 Delta @ ei 200. With PMK sloppy darkroom technique doesn't cut it, so if you're sloppy, don't bother. If you have questions, shoot me an e-mail, and I'll try to help. Have fun!! Kevin

-- Kevin Kalsbeek (krkk@earthlink.net), June 20, 1999.


I'm happy to find other photographers getting involved with PMK. I've been a 'convert' since 1992 when Gordon first published the formula. My early results were variable, due mainly to inconsistent time/temperature control in the darkroom. After I acquired a compensating developing timer, I could develop my sheet film in trays without the warming of the developer by my hands affecting the process! Thank you, Zone VI! Gordon Hutchings has placed absolutely no restrictions on publishing or using this indespensible formula. In fact, he wants to see as many as possible using PMK; this way the quality of photography can be improved. I believe we will, if we live long enough, see a distinct change in the 'history' of photographic images: Before PMK and After PMK. Unless digital gets good enough to eclipse silver images developed in PMK.

-- Michael D Fraser (mdfraser@earthlink.net), July 22, 1999.

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