Edward Weston’s Darkroom on YouTube

I can’t express enough (hear my smiles) about how much I’ve been enjoying the diverse Content and Educational Benefits of YouTube.com lately.

Yesterday, during my afternoon YouTube session, I discovered Advancing Your Photography channel’s video about “Photography Secrets of Edward Weston’s Darkroom“. Wow, I was just reminiscing with someone (I think it was Troutdale photographer, Colleen Cahill) about how I as a recovering “Ancient” Photographer often take Black and White Photography classes just so I can get my hands back in the chemicals. I loved my Darkroom Days at the Portland State Art Department darkroom (I was being paid to be a Lab Tech, Harold gave me the keys).

Taken Back; A Step Back in Time with Edward Weston

There was a moment in the video when Kim Weston (grandson) described what chemicals Weston used as well as reminding me of the different film formats that allowed for full format fine grained art photography prints. Combinations of things are a factor on the technical side of near-perfect photography. One of them was the film used; Edward Weston’s film according to Kim took 30-minutes to develop. I remember my Kodak Tri-X days only taking 2-5 minutes to develop depending on what I was trying to achieve. Techniques and secrets indeed, there are a couple of other gems that raised my eyebrows in the video, see if you can catch them. Hint: it’s about the different chemicals used in the print-making tray (Developer).

Photography is Science: Good Things Take Time
If you are a Photographer who once had your hands in the mix of chemicals that only a darkroom would have or who knew me at Portland State, check this video out for a bit of darkroom nostalgia.

Yes, I sometimes long for those days back when, but I’m even more appreciative of the skills and understanding that I have learned and acquired as well as tidbits from others like photographer great Jim Lommasson, and a few others that were floating around the PSU Art Department. Only by paying attention that I am allowed TODAY to utilize Modern Digital Tools and Technology in a “Masterful Way” along with my “Traditional” Training and Education (Science, Physics, and Art) to really appreciate what digital photography brings.