It was pre-lockdown that we started working on this series with Rachel and Tomfoolery. We're so glad to finally be able to share this with you and hope that it gives you an insight into just some of the photographic darkroom papers available in our range. To see the full range of papers, tones and surface available check out www.ilfordphoto.com/photographic-paper.
I really wish Ilford sold a sample book, with the same image (or a small handful of images) printed on all of their different papers. That would make it much easier to actually decide whether its worth trying a particular paper, without having to buy a large variety of stock that could go to waste.
I've got the swatch book (although it's got the MGIV paper in in) - very useful to for reference. Not sure if the version for sale has been updated with the MGV yet...? www.ilfordphoto.com/mono-paper-swatch-book-2
@@thedarkshed That's a dead link, and I've seen no evidence of a swatch book currently being sold. All I can find is evidence that they had one at some point in the past. I'd gladly pay for a brand new one, if it were offered.
I only use Ilford paper, because I got the best results with them. And I think the whole company seems so .... nice, passionate and photographer-friendly. I like the "pearl" papers the most. They have a certain elegance to them.
Thank you so much we are definitely passionate about what we do and it's good to hear that that comes across. I'm like you and ted to use the pearl papers, especially if i'm going to frame the print behind glass. Although I am partial to the MG ART300 for landscapes, I think the slightly warmer tone and texture helps to highlight the details.
Great video. When I used Ilford Multigrade paper. After it had dried I would put prints in different places inside a book or several books and put a concrete breeze block on top.......that flattened them !!!!!!! 😃 Andrew a Press Photographer for 35 yrs. B&W.....then colour neg...then digital.
Thank you for watching and the lovely feedback. We love hearing that people are enjoying the videos, and the good news is that there are still a couple more to come in this series:) Do you have a favourite ILFORD darkroom paper?
@@petervanorsouw2858 Hi Peter. We'd always suggest experimenting, but we do know of people happily using water colours with MG ART 300. Photo dyes and graphic pens also seem to work well. If you do some hand colouring then please share some of your prints with us. We'd love to see them. We are @ilfordphoto on Instagram and Twitter #ilfordmgart
Racheal you are very talented and have a great way of inspiring people. I used to develop my own prints many years ago, you have developed that need to re visit the developing world, thank you. Ed
@@rachelbrewster-wright9297 No Yet. I will be taking a Dark Room course in college this coming semester. Ilford Products, Of Course. But, it is always interesting to watch.
@@Ilfordphoto I have just started to get into it during the Pandemic. I really enjoy it! I am still a novice, but I'm working on getting better. I have a stack of HP5 still unopened. I got that when you had the promotion for the "Golden Ticket". If you have any clothing/hats that I could buy, please point me in that direction!
Thank you kindly Sir 😁 We always enjoy working with both Rachel an Tomfoolery. You definitely need to get your darkroom set back up. Think of all of those medium format black and white negatives that you have just waiting to be printed!
I used foma paper for my first time in the darkroom now I’ll have a second go and I wanted to buy an Ilford paper. This guide is really helpful, I think I’ll go with neutral tone and it’s of course resin for a beginner like me!
@@Ilfordphoto in the end I got the pearl coating and really happy with its texture. Really shines smoothly and feels authentic. I need to put hours and hours of work to perfect my technique now but I am happy with simple prints
Thanks for that Terry. I take it you're a fairly experienced darkroom printer then? We'd live to see some prints if you fancy sharing them on Twitter or Instagram #ilfordmgfbclassic #mgfbclassic
Thanks for the great videos! Have to say I'm very happy with the new MGRC papers. I usually like the look of MG FB papers for exhibition prints and clients, but the new RC paper is quite impressive. Cheers!
Thanks for watching James and for your feedback on the new MGRCDL papers. it's good to hear that you're impressed by it. We often hear darkroom printers say that they use RC papers for day to day printing and test prints then use the FB papers for final prints and exhibitions. It seems to be a popular way of working. Do you have your own darkroom?
@@Ilfordphoto Yep, have a B/W darkroom at home, printing all formats from 35mm to 8x10 large-format. I've also been shooting LF 5x7 and 8x10 dry glass plates which I then contact-print. Learned how to develop and print when I was a kid back in the 70's, and it's my favorite part of photography. I do use other films besides Ilford, but I've been shooting a lot of HP5+ in 35 and 120, and primarily Delta 100 sheet film for 4x5, 5x7 & 8x10. I use Ilford chemicals and paper almost exclusively in the darkroom, and I really appreciate the consistent quality and extensive documentation Ilford provides. There's a small sample of my work on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/photo_jim/ . All The B/W images are from flat-bed scans of the darkroom prints. Most prints are done on Ilford paper. Thanks!
Although I am now familiar with all the surfaces, I second the comment below about a sample set. Such sets used to be made at least for dealers by the paper manufacturers, but now that there is a growing market of users coming new to film photography and that people buy online to such a great extent, a sample set, perhaps something like 8x12 cm, might be sold at a reasonable price. Regarding this video, there is one moment when the tracking camera shows a rectangular specular reflection of one of the lights on a glossy surface. A shot showing this one the several surfaces would have been very helpful to the viewer, who otherwise can get no clue about "satin" or "pearl", especially, but cold also compare the others.
I agree. I would have liked a light source moved across all three print surfaces to help illustrate the differences. Alternatively, hold each print by hand and give a little flex to each one so we could see how the light reacts with the different surfaces.
We'd love to see some of you darkroom prints Andy if you give the Multigrade Cooltone a try. You can share with us on Instagram #illfordmgrcct or #ilfordmgfbct depending on whether you prefer RC or FB paper.
Funny. I just purchased most of your darkroom paper types to do this test for myself. I am still planning to because you can't experience it through the screen alone, but thank you for this guide. I never considered the art 300 paper.
Ah this is great news! Have a brilliant time experimenting in the darkroom. ☺️ I know Ilford love to see what people create too so make sure you share with them & tag us in!
ILFORD Photo and @Rachel, definitely! I’m not on Instagram or Twitter but I do plan on making a blog post and video. I’ll share them with you sometime in the future ;-). I’ll see if I can put together something worthy for your site. 👍🏿
Ooo it's great! As I say in the video, it does take a bit more time to work with Fibre Papers, but it gives a really different feel to the final print as a physical object. Definitely worth trying to see if you enjoy it!
@@Ilfordphoto I've only ever used the Multigrade RC Deluxe believe it or not. I tend to stick with the things I like and try to get really good with understanding them. But everyone keeps saying "you must use Fibre...its the best", but I must confess I get put off by the rinsing and the drying issues. All of that said, I'm not in Rachels league or anything so I am not pressuring myself about it :-)
Regarding a previous comment wishing Ilford would produce a paper sample book....they did. I had a booklet containing from memory around six 6" x 4" photos on different paper surfaces held together with a plastic rivet in the corner.Can't remember if I bought it or was given away as advertising material
ilford, at 4:24 rachel says about the developing process of the fibre based, but uses the term ' wash aid", is this the same as the "photoflow", or "de-watering" fluids used for film washing, aka the detergent that stops water drop marks forming while you dry the film.
@@Ilfordphoto when you say hypo, what do you mean, the fixer?, as this is in effect bleach (chemical slang-hypo, for the true name, sodium hypochlorate)?
ilford, with the paper in this video it says on the box 8x10" does this mean it can go into an 8x10" film holder and into a camera? also would be nice if you had a "pdf" catalogue of films and the darkroom chemistry/equipment we could download, as in 2021 not much is still printed about film stock, what is available, what iso (asa) it is, what is best for beginners, in ALL Formats (even 4x5"/5x7"/8x10" sheet film), how to go about finding gear, contacting suppliers, etc.
Hi Andy - There is a brochure available for download on our website although we are currently updating it. There is also quite a bit of information about each of the film stocks that we offer on the individual product pages www.ilfordphoto.com/downloads
@@Ilfordphoto thanks, Have Autism, and didn't realise the first "photo" was that(product catalogue), thought it was one of the "posters", like the rest of the site has for downloading to put up around the place, can you title it better, so people know this is what it is.
Colour heads on enlargers are a great way of adjusting filter type from 0 to 5 grade and work the same as drop in filters just check paper instructions for the corresponding grades. Smart thinking Ilford 👍
@@petervanorsouw2858 Using filters feels much easier than fiddling with dials. I'm sure they have these enlargers from Ilfochrome times, not because of alternative to graded filters.
@@veremenko Sorry, I just wanted to make the distinction between different filter methods for those who may not realize this with the use of a colour head or using a filter tray. I do find that changing filters in a above lens enlargers can cause movement in split grade printing. Which ever methods you choose you still have the ability to adjust your contrast the way you choose.
Hi Yaroslav. This is our 'posh' darkroom, that we use for training as well as videos and we find that being able to show how to use filters as well as how to 'dial in' filtration levels is a useful skill to pass on. (In fact, one of the upcoming videos with Rachel is all about filters). We do have lots of other enlargers around site and these are a mix of brands and types..
The background music is not at all necessary, it is disturbing more than only being a nuisance; I wnat to listen what here is told, I'm not waiting in a lift until I arrive in the toys or the underwear department...
