Developing a picture in the darkroom was a magical experience to me and I think everyone should experience the very same magic at least once in their lifetime. I'm sure many photographers who have shot on film are familiar with the nervousness I felt. The adrenaline rush I felt when I first saw the picture that I shot printed on what was once a blank sheet of paper almost made my heart skip a beat. Of course, I was intimidated by the process and the whole idea of working in the darkroom for the very first time. As much as I was excited, a part of me was skeptical about how it is going to turn out. Unfortunately, my biggest fear came true for my friend. Only after processing her film did she realise she didn't load the film right and she ended up with a completely blank film.
'Phew'... Crossed half the tunnel!!!!!
In the second half, everything seemed a little more at ease. For this particular printing session I used light-sensitive resin-coated paper to make the prints. All photographic papers come packaged inside a light-proof black plastic bag inside a cardboard box.
Making contact sheets and deciding the picture to print, setting up enlargers, fixing my lens (50mm) and the print frame, loading the negative and setting the aperture and then making test strips in increasing intervals (2,2,4,8,16,32,64...) It took a couple of test sheets to understand the different exposure times and grades.
And,
Tadaaa!!!!
Finally came to print this picture.
