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hot diggity

Just so you know, I will probably be eating at least one, if not two hotdogs for lunch at least once a week for the next couple of months.

We'll start at the beginning. I'm taking this photography class right now - B/W I at Nashville State community college. By far, the most challanging part of the darkroom (at least for me) is getting the leader of the film onto the developing reel in total darkness. Then, assuming I pass challange One, it takes another 20-30 minutes to develop, wash, and dry said roll of film. Considering we are shooting at minimum one roll per week, developing all rolls, printing contacts, and then ultimately coming out with perfectly contrasted & beautifully printed photographs. Nutshell: This is a lot of work.

So last week, while our teacher is demonstrating how to be an artful dodger & burner, I am secretly entertaining the relieving thought of quitting this class. I missed one class earlier this semester and that alone has set me behind. I am overwhelmed. How will I ever have time to develop film every week, print the contact sheet, choose print-worthy negatives and print art-worthy prints?? It is at that moment that Caroline shines a beaming ray of hope in my direction.

"Class, from now on, since you have probably mastered processing your own film (um, chemically speaking, yes, but I still can't get that ever-loving leader on the reel in total darkness!!), I will allow you to take your rolls to Chromatics for processing so you can focus your time on printing. After all, developing film is a science. Printing photographs is art." Isnt' she wonderful folks? Check out her stuff when you have a minute to devote to the arts.

Having said all of that, every week I will be paying a visit and $7.10 to Chromatics to get that stinking leader on the reel in total darkness for me! The processed negatives I will consider a free bonus.

This is for you Nashville locals, and also the point of this post: Chromatics is located on the corner of Fogg & Ewing. Just around the corner, about two blocks into town on Ewing is Hot Diggity Dogs. It is so good. For the love, please get one of these dogs. If you are from Chicago, you may want to try their Chicago Dog. I havn't tried it yet since I am from Nashville and wanted to try the Nashville Dog. I went two days in a row and have consumed a total of 3 Nashville Dogs and a bag of fries. The fries get 5 grease stains. That is like getting 5 stars if you are a nice hotel.

Maybe next week I'll try the Chicago Dog.

Suffice it to say, I am also not quitting my class.

Comments

Ellyn said…
I LOVE b/w photography. Don't worry you will get the hang on putting the film in the lead thingy! I was fortunate enough to interpret a photography class and they had to master the art of unspooling the film in the handy dandy bag in the dark! I also learned!

I had so much fun! I loved it! Keep on, keepn' on you little shutterfly!

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