The Magic of the Darkroom: Developing & Printing

There is a gap between what I can achieve and what I won’t achieve it is slightly pushed, but not overwhelmed. The goal is not too far out of reach but is still slightly more than I can handle at the moment. It’s challenging for me and there is a lot of Eustress:) Below a few frames from various situations, I have a chance to be. The landscape seems to be easier when it comes to shooting on film and manual focus it is a bit harder when it comes to weddings, or trying to capture my boys .

Large format photography – “Slow Photography” Movement

is an exercise in patience and precision. Unlike the quick snap of a phone, a single 4×5 or 8×10 frame can easily take one hour from start to finish. Between scouting the perfect light, setting up the heavy tripod, and carefully measuring the exposure with a spot meter, every step is a deliberate act. By the time you’ve adjusted the bellows and checked the ground glass, the process becomes a meditative ritual that ensures an elegant, high-resolution result that digital cameras simply cannot mimic.

35mm: The Everyday Classic.
Medium Format: The King of Portraits.
Large Format: The Art of Patience.
Film Stocks: Picking your Palette (Kodak vs. Fuji).
The Darkroom: Where the Magic Happens

35mm: The Everyday Classic

You’ll love the spontaneity of 35mm. It is the ultimate storyteller for candid moments, offering 36 frames of freedom. Whether you’re shooting street scenes or family holidays, its compact size and iconic grain create an elegant, nostalgic look that feels alive and unforced.

Medium Format: The King of Portraits

When it comes to depth, Medium Format reigns supreme. Using a larger negative, like on the Mamiya 645, allows for a “3D” pop and creamy bokeh that 35mm simply can’t match. It’s the professional choice for elegant portraits where every skin tone and detail needs to feel rich and lifelike.

Large Format: The Art of Patience

Large format is a meditative ritual. You’ll spend an hour on a single frame—scouting, setting up the bellows, and meticulously measuring light. This slow pace rewards you with a level of detail and perspective control that is purely artistic, turning a photograph into a masterpiece.

large format photographs taken in south of france house with pigeons

Film Stocks: Picking your Palette

Choosing between Kodak and Fuji is like picking your paint. Kodak offers those famous, warm, elegant gold tones perfect for golden hour portraits. Fuji, on the other hand, brings cooler greens and magentas, making it the ideal palette for lush Irish landscapes and clean, airy wedding shots.

The Darkroom: Where the Magic Happens

The journey doesn’t end when you click the shutter; the darkroom is where the soul of the image is born. Watching a print emerge in the developer is a magical, tactile experience. It’s the final step in creating an elegant physical heirloom that will last for generations.