Preliminary sketch by faroutsider
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
This is a photograph of me, taken by my father nearly 50 years ago. He was experimenting with darkroom techniques when this image appeared - he's still not sure exactly how he achieved this particular effect.
Remember darkrooms, chemical smells, red lights, paper kept in boxes in dark drawers, enlargers, gel filters...? My father was always in his darkroom, and I spent many happy hours with him watching in awe as the photographs appeared as if by magic on the paper, gently coaxed to life through a series of chemical baths in white trays. I understand the chemistry now, but I still love the magic...
Scanned from an A4-sized print. The photograph was retrieved by my brother when clearing out his garage last week. I have no idea about the technical details of the photograph, except that it was shot with a Pentax 35mm SLR in 1962.
Enjoy!
Craig

Previous image: Eyes and the Night (collaboration with hipps13)
Previous image: Eyes and the Night (collaboration with hipps13)

Comments (24)
Fantastic portrait and expression, Craig!!!
Very, Very interesting. It seems like the paper (very high contrast) was moved (jiggled) in at least two directions - but that would only explain half of it - so maybe some masking was going on. It also seems that the left hand side is part solarised too... maybe - which was a very hit and miss technique, involving exposing the paper to full light very briefly. Anyway, apart from that, it's a really great portrait as well - full of character. I like the textures in the hair, face and pullover too. Something to be very proud of.
Very strange effects. Excellent image!
Neat image It looks like he may have been using litho film,or just the highest # filter with a really contrasty image for printing, also multiple exposure, or shifting the paper while exposing,and possibly a little Sebattier effect.
This is such a neat shot! What a wonderful find and a great gift to receive. Thanks so much for sharing this moment from the past.
Most fascinating photograph almost looks like an etched work on dark glass.
1962 is a very good year :-) I bet it was a treat to watch so much eyes can tell and see wonderful capture, Craig warm hug with a smile my friend, Linda
Fantastic done image! Excellent!
Very cool glad you shared it with us. I was born in 1962 : O
I grew up with wires all over the den floor. Dad made all his own electronics, stereos, etc. I saw stuff like this, too. When I tripped over the wires & hit my head. Lol. Very cool effect he achieved. ")
Are you sure this isn't one of Mandi's pieces? Very nice shot with cool effects, however they were achieved. Hey, I was born in '62 too! Looks like you've got a couple of years on me...
This is amazing. I remember dark rooms my fathers was too small for anyone else to be in there. I remember the red light on the wall outside by the door warning everyone not to come in. Amazing effect.
Hi Craig - this was a great Ida to show us your Photo - the effect here looks fantastic - and I think 1962 was a great year ( I´m born 1964 )
Fantastic image!!
Awesome pic! Great!
wonderful photo work!!!!!
wow striking, raw and beautifully done
Love this! Those dark rooms had such a magical feel to them . . . watching images slowly appear in their baths. This is a wonderful portrait. I love how it looks etched.
Woah! Nice pic! Even nicer stroll down memory lane - I rmember spending hours with my Dad in his darkroom. I was the official tray jiggler which involved gently jiggling the trays of chemicals so the photographic paper was always in contact with the freshest developer or fixer. Digital photography is much faster and more convenient but lacks the ambience of those warm nights in the red glow of the safety oamp. Thanks for the memories Craig!
Fantastic portrait and textur...well done..!!!
Love how you reworked this.
This has a sense of being a speed sketch life drawing,like white conte on black paper...superb!
Wonderful work!
Somehow I missed this, Craig. This is certainly a treasure to possess. Your narrative brought back many memories to me. I remember my mother had a small darkroom setup in a cramped closet underneath the attic stairway when I was a wee lad...the white porcelin trays, yellow boxes with the name Kodak on it, chemicals and her hand-coloring many of the B/W photographs which she would painstakingly develop.