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- Arek Kubiak 7/28/2010 3:00:06 PM

- Dee M 5/7/2010 2:01:49 PM

Cameras Used
I use 4 medium format cameras. My main two cameras are Hasselblad 501CM bodies with a collection of finest Carl Zeiss lens ranging from 30mm fish-eye to the 180mm Sonnar. I also use two Fuji medium format 6x9 rangefinders – one Fuji GSW690II with 65mm lens and Fuji G690 with 90mm lens. These two rangefinders produce large and beautiful 6x9 negatives, while Hasselblads give me square 6x6 negs. I use either type of camera depending on the subject matter.

Film Used
I use exclusively Ilford films, either Pan F+ or Delta 100. Most of my night images are taken on Delta 100, while most of the landscape is done with Pan F+. I hand-process my films, using Agfa Rodinal for Pan F+ or Ilford DDX developer for Delta 100. I have experimented with various developer/film combinations in the past and I settled on these two as the best possible for my needs. Pan F+ in Rodinal is a classical combination, giving high acutance and a very distinctive look. The Delta 100 in DDX developer is a modern technology, ultra high resolution combination that I found gives great results with high contrast subjects, such as night scenes.

Darkroom Printing
I print all my photographs myself in the traditional ‘wet’ darkroom. I use LPL 4550XLG professional enlarger that can handle negatives up to 4"x5". This is tried and tested top-quality unit for professional applications. I use Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon-N 80mm and 105 mm lens and 4"x5" glass negative carrier to keep my negatives completely flat.
All prints go through double fixing baths and fiber prints receive Ilford Wash Aid bath treatment, followed by at least one hour washing. As per Ilford’s official recommendation, I consider this process to be the best method of processing fiber base papers for maximum archival longevity.
Papers Used
I print on variety of Ilford papers, both resin coated and fiber based papers. My personal favorite is Ilford Multigrade FB Warmtone paper with glossy finish. It’s beautiful premium quality, variable contrast black and white paper which has a warm black image tone on a warm white double weight fibre base. This paper also especially suitable for toning and produces great variety of tones using either Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner or Agfa Viradon.

- Philip Pankov 11/10/2009 5:07:25 PM

- B Q 11/10/2009 5:05:11 PM

- Angelika S 11/10/2009 5:02:09 PM

I am a mature student studying photography in Wales, undertaking an assignment on Black and White photography. I have visited Ireland many times as I have a large Irish family living in Wexford. One of my first serious (but extremely flawed) shots was of Hook lighthouse and having seen your interpretation I can now see how bad it was! I have to say I find myself particularly drawn to your still life black and white images.

I have read your Q&A's regards why you still shoot in black and white but I wonder if you could spare a few minutes to answer some questions?

I wonder if you could tell me what type of black and white developer you use and whether you could see yourself ever switching to digital black and white photography? I ask the question about digital as someone who uses a DSLR but who feels that taking an image and then improving it in Photoshop too much is somehow a bit like cheating.

Finally could you tell me if it would be possible to use some of your images and quotes as part of my upcoming assignment on black and white photography?

Thank you very much for your time.

Regards

Alyson G

- Alyson G 11/10/2009 4:55:20 PM

My name is Martin and I live in Dundalk. I am currently enrolled in an HND photography course. Our first module is on black and white photography in which we research, shoot, develop and print our own black and white images. One section of the module is to research and hand in a essay on a black and white landscape photographer of choice, hence the reason for this contact. After spending quite a lot of time on the internet looking at different photographer's work I have come to the conclusion that yours images are some of the best black and white photos that I have seen.

I was wondering if you give me some advice on producing such wonderful black and white prints, how do you get so much depth and detail in your images and your thoughts on black and white photography? Finally would it be ok to use 4 or 5 of your black and white prints in my essay for display purposes only? I have found your images inspiring and enjoyable and look forward to hearing from you.

Regards Martin.

- Martin G 11/10/2009 3:22:00 PM

Hope to hear from you soon
Emma

- Emma R 7/6/2009 3:05:38 PM

- Chad Gee  9/21/2009 6:58:21 AM

Thank you

- Nicole F 6/4/2009 6:19:09 PM

- Bill J 6/4/2009 6:15:16 PM