Experience in the Darkroom

My experience in the darkroom has been very rewarding. I feel like I have grown as not only a photographer, but also an artist. Even though it takes a lot of patience, I am so happy I have learned how to develop a picture, rather than just using an SLR. It is fun learning how to develop a picture before digital cameras were invented. My favorite part about being in the darkroom is discovering the picture I have taken. It makes me feel like an archaeologist digging up bones because I do not know what I will uncover or what will happen, but it is exciting at the same time. However, it can be so frustrating when a picture is either too dark or too bright. I am also very excited to start developing a relationship with the enlarger. We used it a few times last year during survey, but I can't wait to learn more and go into more depth with it.

Pinhole Camera Project Reflection

Some of the hardest challenges in the project were creating a shutter for my unusual shape of a camera and trying to contain the light leaks that kept happening. My intentions changed slightly over the course of the project. Since my pinhole camera is circular, the photographs that I was developing were also coming out circular with very intriguing lines and shapes at the bottom of the images. When I realized this, I was specifically trying to find interesting places to photograph so my images would result in something more unique than a typical square box pinhole camera image. Achieving this took multiple trials, as the light each day changed and I had to adjust to that. I found that my pinhole camera had some light leaks, which was one of the primary issues, but I eventually solved that problem by creating a better shutter. I really wish I could have shot at a double exposure just to try something new and see what would happen. Through this experience, I have learned that experimenting and learning from your mistakes is the best way to improve. I definitely took risks during this project and learned what to do and what not to do after the outcomes of the risks.