Next 10

This is my new Black & White Photography blog! My 2007 New Year's Resolution is to write at least once a week about black & white photography related topics, such as darkoom techniques for producing real silver gelatine prints.

To post a question or comment, click the "Post a Question or Comment" link below. To add an answer or response, click the "Respond to This" link under each comment.

Your black and white print has arrived
Hi Philip,

I got the black and white photo on Monday, thank you. The print looks amazing, much more than what I thought it would be!

Cheers

Zeb

- A Zeb 7/16/2008 3:57:52 AM

getting into b&w photography
Hi...whoever runs this site.im only a junior in high school but ive been interested in photography for several years and ive always wanted to study nature photography but now that im getting more into it im really starting to like black and white photography.if you have anything to say that you think might help me let me know thanks...

- Branson ------------ 7/7/2008 8:29:52 PM

Thanks for your email, I'm very flattered! :-)

About your black and white photography course - my advice is use a simple 2 prong approach. Simple but not easy.

First, there is no substitute for devoting as much time and effort to the craft as possible. A course can teach you the fundamentals, but no photographer will ever become great without allowing themselves the time and dedication required to truly learn what works and what doesn't. Read everything you can by anyone who has an opinion on black and white photography and spend an equal amount of time out taking shots from every possible angle.

Second, materials and equipment do matter in black and white photo world. You might have a great eye but if the lens on your enlarger blurs the print or you're using the wrong film, your shot is never going to reach its full potential. Again, finding the right combinations takes time and devotion.

The 'crisp and clean' look to my work is a result of the two elements above. When I became serious about my work I read everything written by the masters who defined the ideals of the black and white art photography. Ansel Adams in particular mandated that a good black and white photograph will be as sharp and clear as the image in real life. I'm not the typical ethereal artist so my answer to your question about inspiration might sound very dry, but I'm driven by this unachievable technical standard set forward by Ansel and his counterparts. I want to create the perfect black and white photograph.

Best of luck with your journey through black and white photography. All the information you need is out there and the most important thing is just getting dug in. Good luck!

Thank you very much again for your interest in my photography and I hope to hear from you again.

Regards,

Philip Pankov
Black & White Photography of Ireland

- NEW  7/8/2008 4:21:59 AM

- NEW  7/13/2008 3:49:45 PM

A Message from Richard S
Greetings Phillip!

I just wanted to comment on your site..GREAT! I am a 40+ year B&W shooter and appreciate sites such as yours. I really enjoy your article page. I just forwarded the link to your site to our Photo Club members for their enjoyment. Please keep up the good work, and once again..THANKS!

- Mike Wilkinson 7/1/2008 4:36:57 AM

Richard, if you are in Dublin in Oct/Nov/Dec this year - I will be exhibiting my photography at 3 different exhibitions in Dublin RDS. If you are interested I can provide you with free tickets for these shows – I will be in touch closer to the show dates and I will make sure you have your complementary tickets on time.

Thank you very much again for your kind words about my photography!

Regards,

Philip Pankov

- Trish T.  7/1/2008 4:38:58 AM

A Message from Renato Laus
I really like your black and white pictures. I study photography in Sao Paulo for 2 years in an Art School and I would like to do some black and white photography workshops here in Ireland. Do you usually do it?
Thank You.

- Mike Wilkinson 7/1/2008 4:36:05 AM

A Message from Lisa
Dear Mr. Pankov,

We would like to use one of your black and white photographs for our Album cover. We are a new, independent record label and this will be the release of our first album. Approximately 5,000-10,000 copies will be sold. We are interested in "Giants Causeway." Please Advise.
Thank you.
Lisa

- Mike Wilkinson 5/15/2008 10:58:11 AM

A Message from Tom Legare
I have been in photography for 20+years doing black and white only with darkrooms in each house we have lived BUT..I shot only Plus-X and Pan-X and printed on Agfa paper.None of this is avaliablenow and I'd given up but the quality of your prints...what film, developer, paper do you use now?

- Mike Wilkinson 5/15/2008 10:29:02 AM

Thanks for your email, I'm very flattered! :-)

With regard to your question, please see below the text from one of my documents that might help you.

Best of luck with your journey through photography All the information you need is out there and the most important thing is just getting dug in. Good luck!

Regards,

Philip Pankov
Black & White Photography of Ireland

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.

- Maria D.  5/15/2008 10:30:39 AM

A Message from Samantha Shobe
Hello Philip,

I am writing a research paper on you and your life as a photographer. I was wondering if you could send me any more information on yourself as a person, and on your career. I hope you will help.

Samantha

- Mike Wilkinson 5/15/2008 10:22:24 AM

- Maria D.  5/16/2008 4:12:19 AM

- NEW  5/16/2008 4:13:39 AM

What the Fillter you have?
I'am interest black and white photos. I want to buy fillter. I hope u suggess me to buy fillter . How many fillter you have?

- Pirat d 5/15/2008 1:31:50 AM

Your Photo's
Mr. Pankov,
I am a student at seneca falls middle school and I am currently studying photography in tech. class. I have chosen you as my favorite photographer! I LOVE your work. The scenery pictures are magnificent! I have never seen anything like it. You have greatly inspired me and I am hoping to become a photographer some day just like you!

- tina thompson 5/5/2008 5:16:18 AM

Mr. Pankov's black and white photographs
Hi,

I am manager of a busy city centre restaurant. We are currently re-decorating our restaurant to go with a black & white theme. Black floor and ceiling, off-white walls...

I also wish to decorate the walls with black & white photography and after looking through this web site I think some of Mr.Pankov's black & white photographs would be absolutely perfect to display here.

I am wondering if you would be interested to display Mr.Pankov's work here as a way of advertising and we would be happy to pass on the info of all intertested clients who may wish to purchase his work or even we could even sell the work directly to the client and pass on all monies received to you.

This is just a preliminary mail to see if you might be interested in this idea, of course we could discuss the finer points in detail if you are interested.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Paul

- Colin Farrell 4/29/2008 4:27:30 AM

Next 10