Joey, Lobster Fisherman

Brian Moore

Moderator
I mentioned in a thread earlier in the week that I had gone on a photo expedition on Terminal Island after work last week and encountered a lobster fisherman, with whom I had a good conversation for a few minutes. After he enquired about my camera--My Kodak Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model C--I asked if he'd like me to take his picture. I had one shot left.

Before I had even a moment to think he hoisted up one of his lobster traps and posed. Given the circumstances I had no option but to shoot from where I stood. I lined the shot up in the old camera's viewfinder as best I could given its 80-odd years of collected dust (it's very hard to see through), and hoped for the best.

The film was Ilford HP5. (Had a spot of bother--no pun intended--in the development process, as you can see along the left edge. It only happens with 120 film. Need to figure it out.) Anyway, this is Joey:


Hawk-EyeCHP5-008.jpg
 
Very nice Brian - great pose and lovely lighting to boot

So the frames aren't square then?
 
Thanks Paul and Rob.

Yes Paul,...the negatives are large. About the size of a playing card. (By the way, my Holga 120 WPC gives 6 x 12 negs.)
 
Came out pretty good though Brian. I like it. Will you take him a print?
Such are the vagaries of using old cameras that I was careful to couch my promises in terms such as "if it turns out." However, I did offer to send him an electronic copy; I never actually thought about a print, but it would be a nice thing to do. I'll ask him when I send the scan. (I got his e-mail address for the purpose.)

I think the image would have been sharper if I had been a couple of feet further back. Minimum focusing distance on these is 8 feet. (But the manual says you can get away with a 6 foot distance if you're willing to accept some blur.) Thanks Pete.
 
That's a wonderful shot Brian!
I really like it!


As your your faff with the film I can thoroughly recomend stainless steel spirals and tanks!
Much easier to load!
 
Thanks, Hamish.
I can thoroughly recomend stainless steel spirals and tanks!
Much easier to load!
I had a lot of trouble loading 120 onto the plastic reels at first. However, I seem to acquired more skill now and haven't had trouble loading one for some time. However, I get a lot of stains/undeveloped spots with 120. (Not with 35mm, though. Same reels/same tank.) See those spots along the left edge? On the actual neg they are brown stains. I'm thinking maybe stainless reels/tank might help with that issue. What do you think?
 
I use either Patterson type hand reels or Jobo machine reels. I find the Patterson ones very easy to load and it takes me seconds. The Jobo ones can sometime be difficult. I've never had streaking problems with either and I suspect that this is more to do with the accumulation of and distribution of development products / uneven development resulting from the technique. Do you see it more with one film type than another? Can you increase the volume of developer and maybe position the spiral a bit higher up the rod so it is not exposed to residues as they drop out of solution? I'm not sure that SS will make a difference unless it allows better mixing.
 
Somthing I'm not sure about, and I've never asked about is the bit of paper and glue at the end of the roll of 120 (and 127) film ... I always cut it off but I've seen people not cut it... Do you?
In these long stands could that be an issue? Especially if it doesn't happen with 35mm as that is the only difference I can think of... ?
Otherwise, different reels etc have got to be worth a crack?
 
Yes, I usually pull the tape off the end. Not sure it would cause the effect though. Maybe it is the reels with this technique and with 35mm film the sprocket holes stop residue accumulating at the ridge between the film and the spiral. As you say, it's worth a try.
 
Do you see it more with one film type than another?
No,...can't say I do.

Can you increase the volume of developer
Did that with the most recent roll. I had 3 frames out of 6 with spots.

maybe position the spiral a bit higher up the rod so it is not exposed to residues as they drop out of solution?
That's worth try, Pete.

I always cut it off but I've seen people not cut it... Do you?
I peel it off, Hamish.

Thanks for your help, chaps!
 
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