Ralph Brandi

Just some guy. He/His.

Blog: https://www.thereisnocat.com/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thereisnocat/
Glass: https://glass.photo/thereisnocat
Pixelfed: https://pixelfed.thereisnocat.com/thereisnocat

Public Key

npub1dwm0xfa3gs259jdcf7hmpu7slw7n2ldxcvrafkqrw9nd85jkh4sq8dc889

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsxhdhny7c5g92zexuyltas70g0h0f40knvxp75mqphzekn6ftt6cqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsme038y

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1dwm0xfa3gs259jdcf7hmpu7slw7n2ldxcvrafkqrw9nd85jkh4sq8dc889

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Last Notes

2026-05-05 11:52:43 GMT

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I was surprised that 60 minutes didn’t blow things out too. I know salt has a wide range, but the fact that there’s indistinguishable blocks at white but not black tells me that the exposure was just a bit too short.
That meter is really useful. It’s a shame the guy stopped making them.

2026-05-05 10:55:40 GMT

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The LEDs in my unit are 365nm. I’m going to do another step wedge today and use the sun just to see if that makes a difference. I have a Light Measure UV meter, so if I can get a proper step wedge print with the sun, I should be able to transfer that dose to the LED box, even if it’s longer than I would prefer.

2026-05-01 20:56:59 GMT

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Final step wedge all dried down. 60 minutes was apparently not enough to get steps 1 and 2 to merge; several at the other end did.
May have to do salt prints outside with sunlight instead. Kallitypes take 6 minutes to expose for maximum black.
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/116/501/316/591/468/623/original/0cf65dc310e3bc8b.jpeg

2026-05-01 14:25:21 GMT

First step in calibrating a new-to-me process (in this case, salt printing) is finding what exposure provides maximum black using a Stouffer step wedge. Salted the paper a few days ago, sensitized with Silver Nitrate this morning, and now into the contact frame and into the UV box. #altprocess
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/116/499/776/019/243/252/original/90d9cee1279e86cf.jpeg
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/116/499/776/356/986/993/original/f6ed9c7a73c3a0b5.jpeg
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/116/499/776/691/010/614/original/e8415d9af38685c5.jpeg

2026-02-26 15:05:50 GMT

Okay, we have an answer. Mode is a conference, a festival, an in person get-together. September in Minneapolis.
https://www.modefestival.com/

2026-01-16 19:09:50 GMT

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I self host my own PDS, but yeah, too much depends on their centralized services. I think Blacksky is trying to set up a completely separate but federated instance, but if even they struggle to, I don’t see any way for a lone person like me to.

2025-10-11 18:21:45 GMT

Interesting documentary about Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama, shot in 2000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b88CUXH29PE

2025-09-20 22:45:07 GMT

Saw an Olympus Pen-F at a local camera store this afternoon. Couldn’t see a price, and I needed to get home. I don’t need another camera. I don’t need another camera. I don’t need another camera….

2025-08-21 17:53:49 GMT

I *think* my Smartflex camera is *finally* on its way. I got an alert from the DHL app on my phone about a package shipped from Guangzhou via Hong Kong, and when I look at the “Signature Release” section, it tells me that the package is almost 20 pounds and is roughly 2 ft long and 1 ft wide & high. That’s way too big to be the film I’m getting from Reflx Lab, which would be the other possibility.

2025-07-31 13:09:28 GMT

Yesterday was my birthday. I gave myself the present of (mostly) ignoring social media for the day. Came back this morning to hundreds of posts. Y’all post waaaaaay too much. BlueSky in particular is starting to serve the same function late Twitter did; irritating for no good reason. Mastodon less so.

2025-07-23 18:47:02 GMT

Got mail from the township on Saturday that our sidewalk was broken and we needed to fix it or get a $2000 fine. Sidewalk is at the far end of our corner lot. I called because I thought that was the township’s job. Nope, law says it’s mine.
This afternoon, the township is fixing the sidewalk.
I’m not complaining. They just saved me $3000. But I am going to enjoy calling the guy I had a contentious phone call with to tell him his colleagues fixed it, just like I said they should.

2025-07-12 21:22:35 GMT

Just went through comments on some of my photos on Flickr and blocked anyone whose comment was a variation on “Congrats on Explore”.
I don’t give a flying fuck about getting into Explore. It doesn’t appear to have any relation to quality of my photograph, and I don’t consider it an accomplishment.

2025-06-15 15:37:00 GMT

Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot was performing an art piece based on her experience of the russian police state at a museum in Los Angeles. The arrival of a police state in LA shut down the museum and deprived her of her audience.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jun/15/pussy-riot-nadya-tolokonnikova-police-state

2025-06-12 18:48:58 GMT

Did an experiment yesterday. I shot this in the Auto Reflex 5x7 I bought recently on FP4+ that took some water in the fridge and was damaged. While developing, I opened the Stearman 810 for a second halfway through. One sheet came out negative, this one came out positive. #BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/114/671/886/982/839/054/original/e5d2d7f4edc8ec27.jpeg

2025-06-11 19:50:02 GMT

Timothy Snyder in the Kyiv Independent (and probably elsewhere) about Trump as weak strongman.
https://kyivindependent.com/americas-weak-strongman/

2025-06-04 13:52:38 GMT

I’ve been reading Macintouch for decades, pretty much since it started back when its author was writing for MacWEEK magazine.
It’s shutting down because abusive robots (think AI) are causing server costs to go through the roof.
This is why we can’t have nice things.
https://www.macintouch.com/

2025-05-13 12:43:53 GMT

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My solution to this issue was to post to Pixelfed with alt text, then link to that on BlueSky and boost it on Mastodon. Not quite what you were asking for, I know, but it’s where I landed. Would be interested if anything else comes up as a result of your question.

2025-04-21 20:24:19 GMT

Took the ONDU Eikan 4x10 out today for the first time. Need to test it before an upcoming trip.
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/114/377/821/695/754/299/original/d18d87c1f7d42ab9.jpeg

2025-03-16 00:19:44 GMT

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Read it yesterday in one session. Couldn’t put it down. Glad I ditched Facebook years ago. Simply appalling behavior described in the book, and the narrative arc from idealism to disillusion makes it thoroughly believable.

2025-03-13 18:01:43 GMT

A5 You can see 259 shots of raindrops at https://www.flickr.com/photos/thereisnocat/albums/72177720321081274 .
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but here’s a representative sample.
#photochat https://mstdn.ca/@AlexLuyckxPhoto/114156389230521473
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/114/156/430/934/553/123/original/3be0fc2a78568416.jpeg

2025-02-28 13:24:35 GMT

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Looks interesting. Pity it’s Instax Mini, a form factor I've never been able to make work. Would be more interested if it were Instax Square.

2025-02-27 12:58:50 GMT

Mom and Me
I didn’t take this picture. I’m in it. My dad took it in our house in what was then Sterling Township, Michigan (now Sterling Heights) with his Polaroid 250 on Type 108 film. This is my favorite photo of me and my mom.
My mom, Diane Brandi, died yesterday after a brief illness. She moved in with us three years ago as her mobility issues made it harder for her to live on her own. She was 81. I am going to miss her fiercely.
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/114/075/967/645/082/472/original/11aea5e4f8d6672c.jpeg

2025-01-27 12:47:12 GMT

Renovation
This building just off the boardwalk in Sea Bright is having some work done. Konica Autoreflex T3, Hexanon 21mm f/4 lens, ORWO NC400 film, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/900/390/209/064/087/original/4de03c0c9d17756f.jpeg

2025-01-26 15:51:21 GMT

Blob
There are raindrops in here, but oddly, more visible at a smaller size; look at the photo larger and it kind of disappears. Nikon F3HP, Ars-Imago IMAGO 320, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/895/452/045/497/956/original/fcda54f6da5a079b.jpeg

2025-01-25 18:37:29 GMT

Ten things you can do to resist neo-fascism by Robert Reich in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/trump-fascism-what-to-do

2025-01-10 15:50:22 GMT

Raindrop
Got the lens effect on this one just right. Nikon F3HP, Film Ferrania P33, Rodinal 1:25.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/804/851/177/593/124/original/15d8ec09e7e6c9a9.jpeg

2024-12-31 15:58:55 GMT

Just cancelled my subscription to Grainery. If you don't know what that means, that's a good indication of why. It started two years ago as a photo sharing site for film photographers. It promised a lot, most of which failed to show up. There were beta versions of mobile apps, which worked fairly well, but those were abandoned several months ago. The site just never reached escape velocity, the community there is shrinking, and it just isn't worth paying for at this point. It's a pity.

2024-12-31 00:00:04 GMT

Raindrop
Another digital bonus raindrop, this one shot this morning with the Fujifilm GFX-100s.
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/744/491/398/422/374/original/31d4e8c274f332b9.jpeg

2024-12-26 12:57:14 GMT

Belford Harbor
A familiar scene in an unfamiliar format. I don't often get the entire harbor in a single shot. KMZ FT-2, Santa Color 100, ECN-2 development. I think the camera needs some help; I'm getting banding in most of the shots from this roll.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/719/235/786/998/823/original/880d11551bc03c1e.jpeg

2024-12-22 12:19:35 GMT

Fishing
Out at Spy House. Pentax 67, Reflx Lab Pro 100 (220), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/696/438/515/430/551/original/99218febcf43fc15.jpeg

2024-12-12 19:18:01 GMT

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I saw that as part of DocNYC a couple of years ago. Loved it, and it's fun to see a film where I actually know and have met in person some of the subjects.

2024-12-03 23:58:03 GMT

UNESCO has recognized pysanky, the Ukrainian art of decorating eggs, as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. This is the sort of thing russia wants to destroy.
https://kyivindependent.com/unesco-adds-ukrainian-egg-decoration-to-intangible-cultural-heritage-list/

2024-12-03 21:37:42 GMT

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They're all in a series on @npub10zg…39hw , which should make it easy to catch up. :-)
https://glass.photo/thereisnocat/series/547U2cgNSObkT5dQPrUupf-raindrops

2024-12-03 21:14:03 GMT

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Only took 160 of them. ;-)

2024-12-03 16:14:00 GMT

Raindrop
Nikon F3HP, Fujifilm ACROS Neopan 1600, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/589/776/312/978/646/original/8dc2c52fd811ff9f.jpeg

2024-11-30 12:11:46 GMT

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Why stop? Only reason I can think of is if you get bored with making them. 🤪

2024-11-16 15:53:49 GMT

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Yup. Reflx Lab respools Kodak Aerocolor in 220 format as well as 120.

2024-11-16 12:50:38 GMT

Manco & Manco
The classic Ocean City pizza place. Pentax 67, Reflx Lab Pro 100 (220), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/492/717/373/899/861/original/2dd8d4e725b6de4b.jpeg

2024-11-08 13:40:45 GMT

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Freelensing with slide film….
Morag is either very brave or very foolish…. ;-)
(Seriously, having enjoyed her work for years, I know it's the former)

2024-11-02 15:00:37 GMT

Officers’ Row
Two of the many deteriorating houses on Officers’ Row at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. Hasselblad 500cm, Kodak Portra 160NC (220), expired Feb 2009, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/413/956/146/134/993/original/9dc3f53d99d8fc3b.jpeg

2024-10-29 18:08:51 GMT

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I’ve found it to be mediocre with Apple Music (I often have to spell out the name of a band), and completely useless for playing podcasts. This was a source of some frustration just yesterday as I drove 400 miles to get home.

2024-10-17 11:49:03 GMT

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As someone who has been researching his ancestry since before all this stuff was digitized, just a friendly reminder that anything you get from other people's trees is a clue, not proof. More helpful if they include citations, but there are a lot of family trees out there that are just plain wrong. The farther back you go, the easier it is to misinterpret the documents.

2024-10-13 15:21:34 GMT

Arcade
Another view of the boardwalk in Wildwood, slightly north of yesterday’s shot (you can see So Sweet in this one as well). Hasselblad 500cm, Reflx Lab Pro 100 (220), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/300/792/374/292/560/original/515dcb3ae2a97eee.jpeg

2024-10-09 20:55:43 GMT

Remarkable talk by @npub1sac…kcpe. I watched it last night. Really crystallizes the issues I’ve been having with social media lately. We do indeed need to fix the fucking networks. https://xoxo.zone/@xoxo/113273230296491707

2024-10-08 18:46:04 GMT

Shane Balkowitsch writes for PetaPixel about a tiny wet plate camera a friend of his made for him. It shoots 1.5 x 1.5 inch tintypes, and it works.
https://petapixel.com/2024/10/08/smaller-is-better-my-tiny-wooden-wet-plate-camera/

2024-10-08 14:56:36 GMT

A Blast From The Past
A diner on the boardwalk in Wildwood. Hasselblad 500cm, CineStill 400D, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/272/382/625/123/562/original/4c04764de90ed2f9.jpeg

2024-10-05 14:51:40 GMT

That Little Noticed Third State
There’s Open, there’s Closed, and then there’s that little noticed third state. Hasselblad 500cm, CineStill 400D, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/255/376/254/154/938/original/c70942819b894e07.jpeg

2024-09-28 13:04:04 GMT

Raindrop
Took a few weeks off from social media. I wrote about it on my blog if you care. Here's a raindrop. Nikon F3HP, ORWO P400, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/215/317/002/704/085/original/0fa5ae085382c726.jpeg

2024-08-29 18:02:03 GMT

Monkey Business
Shot this in Wildwood with my pre-war Contax III, 21mm Biogon f/4.5 lens on Ektachrome E100. Developed in my jerry-rigged process of HC-110 for 6.5 minutes, exposing to light for 4 minutes, & running through ECN-2 dev for a little longer than usual. Looks very similar to E6.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/113/046/619/383/546/331/original/4825da2e31c71601.jpeg

2024-08-19 14:46:21 GMT

Midway Tequi La Bar
Interesting kerning there. Hasselblad 500cm, Reflx Lab Pro 100 (220 format), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/989/226/802/077/509/original/7ded006954453e21.jpeg

2024-08-13 18:00:10 GMT

Raindrop
Nikon F3HP, Kodak 5222 Double-XX, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/956/015/063/774/055/original/39b00943742cda3b.jpeg

2024-08-11 11:55:51 GMT

Cooked SEAFOOD to TAKE OUT
Another shot of Keyport Fishery’s fine signage. Kiev 88cm, CZJ 180mm Sonnar f/2.8, Film Ferrania P30, Rodinal 1:50.
#ShittyCameraChallenge #BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/943/257/832/142/751/original/df5c0565b780eb92.jpeg

2024-08-09 14:47:55 GMT

Park Pavilion
I just liked the strings of lights overhead. Hasselblad 500cm, Shanghai GP3 100, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/932/609/558/754/981/original/0b0e0ae0b26cf5a0.jpeg

2024-08-04 12:09:02 GMT

Shore
Looking back from the end of the pier. Kiev 88cm, Arsat 30mm f/3.5 fisheye lens, Ilford HP5+ (expired October, 2011), Rodinal 1:50.
#ShittyCameraChallenge #BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/903/673/546/262/968/original/018de98f778b0747.jpeg

2024-08-02 14:44:01 GMT

Donovan’s Reef
This bar in Sea Bright has a deck that intersects with the boardwalk. Hasselblad 500cm, Reflx Labs Pro 100 (in 220 format), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/892/958/304/458/800/original/d22242a9173103f8.jpeg

2024-07-31 12:05:54 GMT

Ramp
A shot from the beach at Spy House in Port Monmouth on the bay, probably the closest beach to my house. Kiev 88cm, HP5+ (expired October, 2011), Rodinal 1:50. Part of my tests of the backs for the camera. They all had leaks. I ordered new ones from Arax.
#ShittyCameraChallenge #BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/881/011/982/350/942/original/2824734830812de3.jpeg

2024-07-30 18:09:42 GMT

Sunrisen
About ten minutes after the previous sunrise shot that I posted yesterday, the sun rose above the low level clouds. Hasselblad 500cm, Reflx Lab Pro 100 (in 220 format), ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/876/780/178/065/076/original/16789132d66ff474.jpeg

2024-06-08 13:55:55 GMT

Put a roll of ORWO NC400 in the Konica Autoreflex T3. Took it out shooting while my wife was in dance class. After 20-some shots, the sprockets stripped. Grrrr. Tried to rewind so I could load something else. The film broke. Double Grrrr….
No more shooting today….

2024-06-07 15:05:52 GMT

Lots of Drops
When the evergreen has all these raindrops on it, it kind of reminds me of a Christmas tree all lit up, especially when the sunlight highlights them. Nikon F3HP, ORWO NC500 Color, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/575/954/882/161/121/original/ae3881eb8ea5602a.jpeg

2024-06-04 12:06:10 GMT

Raindrops
Another shot from last Thursday. Nikon F3HP, ORWO NC500, ECN-2 development.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/558/261/306/183/240/original/474a381a4faf2079.jpeg

2024-05-30 23:29:32 GMT

Dewey Defeats Truman
(This was published by the Times of London about 12 hours ago)
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/532/636/508/122/268/original/cddb456059871bab.png
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/532/636/852/727/778/original/060152efe6ab0df6.png

2024-05-30 21:41:01 GMT

I have a bunch of these figurines, but have avoided getting this one
https://fctry.com/products/prison-suit-trump-action-figure

2024-05-30 14:45:25 GMT

Seed
This maple tree seed got captured by the evergreen. Nikon F3HP, Kodak Plus-X, Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/530/575/932/979/251/original/c4a6ac82289a299f.jpeg

2024-05-26 01:45:25 GMT

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Interesting. Hadn’t heard of that. Does indeed look similar to the Travelwide. Maybe I’ll print a 5x7 version….

2024-05-26 01:32:01 GMT

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I hear you. I don’t use mine much tbh. But it was handy as a commuter camera (I got some shots around the neighborhood near my then-office in lower Manhattan) and for travel (I took it on a business trip to San Francisco in 2018, I think). It’s a shame they didn’t keep making them.

2024-05-26 01:19:14 GMT

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I checked. It was called W back then. Here’s a shot from 7 years ago on the 4x5:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thereisnocat/27908823982/

2024-05-26 01:13:34 GMT

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Yup. Don’t think they even called it “W” at the beginning.

2024-05-26 01:10:11 GMT

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The 4x5 was the original format for this. I first shot it years ago in that format

2024-05-24 12:09:11 GMT

Raindrop
Sometimes raindrops hang out where branches split. Nikon F3HP, Kodak Plus-X (expired 2004), Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/495/987/485/084/985/original/7c9708c1a09573b8.jpeg

2024-05-17 11:50:50 GMT

Raindrop
I took this yesterday. My first Nikon F3 had shutter issues, so when I saw one at KEH in Excellent condition that just needed a prism, I snagged it, because I could use to prism from the broken one. This was my test roll. Plus-X (expired 2004), Rodinal 1:50.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/456/279/419/241/459/original/7e6af3da12e1b8d6.jpeg

2024-05-16 14:43:33 GMT

Brush
Saw this growing alongside the trail on Sandy Hook. Konica Auto-Reflex, Dupont 936B film (expired 1960s), HC-110 1:90 for 18 minutes, agitated every three.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/451/296/269/720/537/original/e3a7803815bcb02c.jpeg

2024-05-11 22:18:28 GMT

Aurora?
This was the sky this morning at 5am. 11pm was totally overcast, so I got up and went to Belford Harbor before sunrise. Sunrise was at 5:47 this morning, and this was pointed due north, so I’m not sure what else it would be. The sky to the east was still dark.
Fujifilm GFX-100S, Mitikon 65mm f/1.4
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/424/773/556/171/113/original/e55a190938715886.jpeg

2024-05-10 16:12:17 GMT

Let’s Do The Twist
Strange branch that this raindrop was clinging to. Nikon F3HP, Ansco Supreme film (expired 1958), HC-110 1:90 for 18 minutes, agitated every three.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/417/671/332/424/806/original/1dafe55673df7159.jpeg

2024-05-08 19:48:46 GMT

I've been having a hard time with color dev lately; my chems fail, stuff looks underexposed. I shot a roll of color this morning and developed it and the histograms are bad. I just placed an order with Freestyle for the Bellini ECN-2 chems. I'll give that a shot and if it doesn't change things, maybe I'll just give up on color. https://hachyderm.io/@skinnylatte/112379393258598987

2024-05-07 20:36:36 GMT

Polaroid has improved its black and white chemistry.
https://petapixel.com/2024/05/07/polaroid-unveils-improved-chemistry-for-bw-600-instant-film/

2024-05-07 14:52:17 GMT

Raindrop
Nikomat FTn, “Fuzzy Purrito” Svema MZ-3 film, HC-110 1:90 for 18 minutes, agitate every three.
#BelieveInFilm
https://assets.toot.cafe/media_attachments/files/112/400/369/872/122/953/original/b8bb35342edee777.jpeg