Re: [Leica] dry & wet darkroom :-(

[bfranson@greennet.net (Bill Franson)]

Hey Ted,
I just stepped out of my darkroom and read your techno frustration missive.
No envy here! I'm going gangbusters on a batch of negs that have been just
waiting for attention. I think "...determined to learn" is your key phrase
though. Stick to it! By the way, got your book last week. What a beauty!
I'd love to send it to my medical clients with a note saying this is what I
want to do for you. If only they would stop looking at me funny when I show
up with a couple of M's and not the N****, flash, blah, blah bag.

Bill Franson


At 06:11 AM 10/17/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Guys & Gals,
>After several hours of trying to "electronically" dodge and burn a neg
>to make one decent print, I have to confess out of sheer frustration,
>"read my inadequacies," in coping with the learning curve of
>computer/printer compared to wet/my printing, that it's just driving me
>up the
>wall or around the curves, contrasts, brightness or wiggling lines!
>
>Yes to date I've made some quite surprisingly good prints from the
>scanner/computer/printer combination, some that I felt made the prints
>look like they were shot with Leica glass.  But then there was this
>afternoon!!!!!
>
>The amount of time I fiddled, deleted, re-scanned, didn't save, started
>all over, fiddle again, said naughty words,  several times!!!!!  Then
>finally gave up out of incompetence & frustration I could have knocked
>off a couple dozen wet prints. I realize one doesn't replace 50 years
>wet DR experience in a few weeks on the dry side. Certainly attempting
>to cope with these electronic monsters that talk back to you, put
>strangely
>worded phrases framed in little boxes on the screen that point
>out............... you're an idiot!  And leave you whimpering like a new
>bride who just burned her first cake! 
>
>However, buoyed by my successful earlier printing experiences I suppose
>I was over stepping my ability with this new whiz bang technology and a
>lousy negative. I finally came to the conclusion, it was my fault right
>from the original film exposure (confession again) I made a lousy
>exposure and hoped the new hardware would save my ass! ;-)
>
>Guess what?  You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear no matter how
>good the technology! So the bottom line and my good fortune to be
>able to re-shoot, I will take my trusty R8 and re-do the situation in
>less of a hurry "avec tripod" ;-) and come home with damn good negs! 
>And then we'll see what these new thingies can do. :-)  But I shall tame
>this monster! ;-)
>
>Frustrated and head aching, but determined to learn! ;-).... Damn, good
>time for a comforting single malt! :-) 
>ted
>