Big Sur (Garrapata)

Nothing in the world compares to a coast.  Big Sur is probably the quintessential coast of all ages.  It's gorgeous, during the day, and during evenings, nothing quite compares.  

I wouldn't recommend morning because your looking out west, so sunrises, don't bring much other than shadows, which fall on your foreground.  

Garrapata, just a few minutes away from Point Lobos (Weston Beach) is by far the most beautiful coast I myself have ever visited.  You'll find many a place to park along Highway 1.  Each will have a dirt path leading to the water's edge.  Be careful in your steps and be careful with the rising tide.

1.  You'll need a tripod

2.  Bring adequate shoes

3.  It gets chilly at sunset, and there's usually a breeze, so bring appropriate clothes

4.  Be safe! don't get to close, and first watch the waves a few minutes before getting closer.

Enjoy this natural beauty!

Old Brown Dektol

   

Yes , this old expired Dektol still worked and developed well. Most likely due to the way it was stored

That's right. September 2006.

How long does Dektol Last? very, very long (many years in powder form)... when i began looking around for darkroom equipment, some people would throw in old chemicals they never used or opened. Of course some not everyone does that, one guy tried to sell me paper (as is, bottles with who knows what in them, and other miscellaneous things) and half or 3/4 full Ilford chemical bottles for 3/4 their original price... ha... no thanks...  

     Now, if you get a batch of chemicals with some old photo equipment, like fixer or developer (FOR PAPER processing, i wouldn't risk my film)... then i would definitely see if it still works... Hence why we've come to this post. I'd received a bag of developer which was from September 2006... We are in January of 2013... That's really really old developer. How did the photos come out?... The same as always... I had gone to the Nelson's down a couple blocks in Little Italy, to get some film developing and chemicals (B&W) and went home, but hadn't checked for Paper fixer and Developer. Well, i said "wotthehell Archy, toujours gai".. and mixed it up... as you can see. the developer had so much sediment sitting on the bottom, but after some stirring, all was okay... except for that extreme brown color. even in the tray you can tell how strong of a color it had. All i can say for the Dektol still being active is that proper storage probably saved this bag.

     In conclusion... Old dektol (stored correctly) probably still works, even if it has a strange color.  Here's a link to some other interesting information concerning Fresh Dektol with a brown color...

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-printing-finishing-forum/00AFar

Looks like dirt, initial mixing.

After mixing with correct amount of water.

   

Dektol ages well, if properly stored!

    If you're ever in Santa Cruz, CA... don't think twice about heading to "Lighthouse Field State Beach".  don't expect a massive lighthouse... instead think 'quaint'.  Moreover... look for parking in the residential areas, and bring a camera, you'll love the view you'll have of the surfing bodies.  Get there before the sunsets and bring a coat along.  If you're there with enough time, you can walk along the coast, and find many beautiful vistas.  It's right across this coastline that monarchs settle for winter.  I never got a chance to see them, but if you time your visit correctly you can witness tens of thousands (if not more) monarchs, resting.  One of the wonderful things about the town, is that if you're lost, anyone is more than willing to give you directions.  Have fun!

Fort Ord (1st Post)

Overlooking Creekside Terrace/  Toward Salinas

Along Trail 31

     I'd like to start this blog by stating that there are many photos which i've taken, which have never been seen... that i often don't think are any good, but after some time of looking back through them (sometimes two years) i think can be salvaged.  Photoshops camera raw 'fill light' has become one of the most used sliders... and justifiably so.  What would take many practice enlargements with select dodging and burning and tons of paper used in the darkroom, now becomes a slider in software.  Oh how far we've come.  I love the darkroom, it's my temple, and place of meditation...  Anyway... here are some photos from Fort Ord... where i spent many a day (mostly afternoons) hiking alone in look of something.  I think i found it.  Although i love these photographs, for me Fort Ord is epitomized in one black and white photograph, of a lone tree, that on that certain day rested against purple mountains... but before that... i'd like to show you Fort Ord as i knew it.  

Trail 31

     During the winter months, closer to spring everything becomes shades of green.  Every imaginable green is to be found, all in different textures, and shapes.  The moss that is found is beautiful, and drapes the trees which brings a a sense of wonder as you travel under their canopy.  And although the gates close after sunset, you might find yourself staying longer, so bring a flashlight... otherwise, you'll encounter a sense similar to beginning of a 'horror flick'.

     If you'd like to go there... the one place I visited constantly for it's quintessential mossy trees (be careful as I once heard someone say it was the "poison oak national park" once)... I'd take highway 56 and get off on Reservation Road (one side is River Road)... straight on Portola Road.. and straight onto Creekside Terrace.  There's parking here and many people ride there bikes on the trail... best to keep your ears open and move to the side when you hear one coming... Remember there's plenty of poison oak here, so best keep on the trail.  I myself had an encounter

     By the way... you'll oft' find a fungal delight (if only to the eyes) many a time along the way!

Do you know what I am?