2025 … and oh what a year it was!  But here we are at the beginning of another new year and I am increasingly optimistic that the beginnings of the end of our Trumpian national nightmare are starting to unfold. Sure we have three more years of this s..t show to live through and there will be plenty not to like, but I really think he and whatever his movement was about is beginning to unravel. Not that much because of what our political figures have done, but because of what every day Americans have.

But just as there is renewed hope, it’s a time when someone so unpredictable and increasingly unhinged may attempt and do some strange and dangerous things, like a trapped feral animal that is being cornered. Venezuela for starters, Greenland, the Trump Class Destroyer, the East Wing tragedy, ICE insanity, Epstein coverup, the lame and grammatically stupid renaming of the Kennedy Center, the midterm elections and much more.

Yes all of this could happen. 2026 just kicked off with the stunt in Venezuela, coming right after  the release of the former Special Counsel Jack Smith congressional hearing transcripts and Justice Department’s continued lack of compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.. Funny how that works.  But the more Americans stand up, the stiffer the backbones of politicians will become … same goes for the legacy media, law firms and universities … at least that’s my hope!

So don’t get discourage and don’t give up. That is what they want and it’s the only way Trump and the true believers that surround him … the Vances, Millers, Voughts, and Patels of the worlds will win.

And here’s something else … have fun and do what makes you happy. That’s what maintains a healthy balance during these trying times! So how do you do that? Beyond friends and family make time to get out there and photograph, and yes, develop your film and print some meaningful pictures!

So let’s all together make a resolution to make 2026 a great year, for all the right reasons!

Stay well, be vigilant and have a happy, healthy, and photographically wonderful New Year,

Michael

I recently ordered some film and supplies and decided to check out maybe getting some more paper. With only a couple hundred sheets of Foma left it was about that time. I went to the B&H site and quickly became shocked when I saw the price of $176.99 for 100 sheets of 8X10.

#$%^&*()??!!?$#%^&!

The last time I purchased the paper it was $149.99 and before that $99.99.  I’m sure everything costs more to make these days but this is a little nuts!

I’m certain though that the latest price increase is brought to us care of the dear leader’s tariffs or maybe even something worse. Maybe he thinks analog black and white photographers are democrats living in blue states and it’s another act of retribution.  Like withholding clean energy funding from sixteen states, or dismantling government operations like the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado because the governor won’t do his bidding.

So what do I do? Hold off and hope things return to a somewhat more normal or buy now because of the fear that the price of foreign made paper will go even higher? Who knows, with you know who’s cowboy foreign policy and appeasement proclivities, Putin may just decide to invade the Czech Republic and I won’t be able to get my beloved paper at all!

I think I’ll wait until the new year and my next credit card billing cycle to take another look.

Stay well,

Michael

Awhile back I wrote #7 Simplify … One Film and One Developer! Well, guess what …the same goes for your paper and developer! That’s right. Maybe I’ll take some heat on this but stay with me here.

Yes, I know different papers and developer combinations can yield different looks that some may prefer for say a snowy scene vs. a portrait. Fine, I get it. But I think this leads to more choices, more time and a lot more money spent on ever more expensive paper.

As with film, I think it’s best to focus on just one paper and developer combination. For me it is Fomabrom Variant III with Photographer’s Formulary Liquidol. I’ve been using this combination for some time and have been very happy with the results. Ever since I couldn’t get Forte’s excellent VC paper anymore and I finished my last bag of Zone VI print developer. Note: Liquidol is claimed to be a liquid-based replacement for the Zone VI powder- based developer.

Is it the perfect combination? I’ll give you the same answer I gave for Tri-X and HC-110 … Heck if I know! What I do know is that Bruce Barnbaum recommended the paper and the developer seems to give me the same results of my old friend Zone VI in an easier to mix version.  That’s enough for me. The proof of course is in the results and I really like what I see. However, if you try this combination your mileage may vary as they like to say.

Look, pick whatever paper/developer combination you like and learn how to use it.  Oh, and it goes without saying, just make sure to choose a good quality fiber paper. DO NOT USE RC!!! Let me repeat that for the uninitiated. DO NOT USE RC!!! Just like film, it takes some time to really learn about a paper and how it behaves with a particular developer … another reason in my opinion to use just one combination.

Can you get better results using different papers with different developers for different negatives instead of simplifying like I’ve done. Maybe, probably, perhaps.

As with sorting out what camera for what purpose and settling on one film and one developer, doing the same with one paper and one developer simplifies my life … one less thing to worry about … and this helps me to focus on what’s really important … making meaningful pictures with prints that look the way I like, with the quality I want.

Try it and see how it works for you!

Stay well,

Michael

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with those that are most important in your lives … your family and friends. Mine was great and as usual my wife outdid herself. Although I’m a vegetarian I more than made up for things, especially with the four pies we had for dessert!

I really do have a lot to be thankful for. My family foremost, and a life lived on my own terms, doing the things I felt were important and made me happy. My work enabled me to travel all over the world, but I was always grateful to be back. It was great to be an American. I felt lucky.

This year it’s a little different, isn’t it … a year in which our freedoms and much of what America has stood for are being challenged on a daily basis.

So what am I be thankful for right now?

Here are just a few things.

First, that I’m not a woman who has had a man point his finger at my face while telling me to be “quiet, piggy”.

Or that I’m not a Ukrainian child, cold and afraid, huddled in a damp basement while the so-called leader of the free world tries to sell my freedom out with a 28 point plan written by the Russians with some help by his “special envoy”/real estate buddy Steve Witcoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Or that I’m not someone who has had his or her door knocked down, been pepper sprayed, been taken away while my family members screamed in terror or have been unlawfully detained in a third world-like detention center because my language is Spanish and/or my skin color isn’t white.

Here is another thing I’m thankful for. For the courage of six democratic lawmakers, all former veterans or members of intelligence community who spoke out in a video to make sure current members of the military and intelligence community know “Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders; you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant. But whether you’re serving in the CIA, the Army, our Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.” They went on to say “Know that we have your back, because now, more than ever, the American people need you. We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution, and who we are as Americans.”  These brave Americans are continuing to stand tall and are not backing down even after the dear leader called for their arrest and execution and others in the regime look for other ways to try to intimidate them.

I’m also thankful I can still write this and not land in jail, or worse for “seditious” behavior.

Look, I know America is far from perfect. It never was and never will be. But it is worth fighting for our democracy and all that is good about America. So, finally, I’m thankful that more and more Americans are waking up to the clear and present danger we all face and are making their stand in both big and small ways.

Remember, 2026 is around the corner and with continuing vigilance we will vote out enough of the collaborators in November so that next Thanksgiving all of us will have even more to be thankful for!

As the “seditious six” said in closing their video, “Don’t give up the ship”!

Oh, and by the way, keep making photographs.

Stay well,

Michael

Another reprise of a previous entry, but so well stated I wouldn’t change a word!

When Zone VI was in business they sold something called a Print Recipe Form. The 1995/1996 Zone VI catalogue I have lists a pad of 50 for $5.75.  I used these for years until they were no longer made, then I modified one and made copies for myself.

Along with my Zone VI compensating enlarging and development, these pieces of paper are one of my most helpful darkroom tools.  Why?  First, they assist you in methodically producing a fine print by forcing you to write down each step taken to get to the final result. Second, they allow you to memorialize those steps as well as other critical information, such as print size, brand of paper and grade (in the case of VC you could list filter grades, VC or color head settings, etc. – I use VC paper now, but as a longtime user of graded paper I list the “grade” I used, determined by matching information provided by the paper manufacturer with settings on my color head, enlarger height, lens aperture used, developer and time, dry-down percentage for the particular paper used, when the print was made, and what Fred Picker called the “goldilocks” factor.  UPDATE NOTE 11/24/25: I now use Ilford filters in my Leitz Focomat enlargers that are speed matched from for grade 00 to 3½, meaning the exposure time remains the same. For grades 4 through 5 the exposure time simply doubles.

You probably haven’t heard of the all-important top secret “goldilocks” factor have you. This is critical and it might change your life, so read on carefully.  Once you have done all your various manipulations (e.g., dodging and burning) you may still think there is something a little bit off that adding or subtracting a tiny amount of overall print exposure could fix.  For example, subtracting a tiny percentage of exposure may provide that necessary little bit of sunshine to the print that somehow was lost in the process.  And that’s all there is to it – another great tool in your bag of tricks!

I begin by making two test prints, usually using grade 2 and 3 equivalents. That is noted along with general exposure times next to the #1 rectangle (the chosen aperture is listed in the information section at the top of the form). The rectangles serve as your print “map”.  Next to rectangle #2 I list the grade I have settled on along with its exposure time. I can and often fine tune contrast later as needed. Starting with rectangle #3 and on I record the various manipulations I make.  For burning I draw several slanted lines in parallel to show the location of where I have done that in the print.  For dodging I draw several small circles to show the location of where I have done that.  If I decide to raise or lower contrast, that is recorded next to the associated numbered box.  Finally, I list the dilution of selenium toner I used and the amount of time the print soaked in that solution.

Now, since I have used my Zone VI Temperature Compensating Development Timer I smile and know that as long as I use the same paper and developer, all I have to do the next time I wish to make another print from this negative is follow the steps on my recipe and I will have an exact duplicate!

Each individual print recipe from a given negative is filed with the associated proof sheet related to the roll of negatives it came from.  The proof sheet is numbered and matches the number on the clear archival Mylar page that holds those negatives. It’s a good system that makes it easy to quickly find things, and most importantly, it works for me.

My guess is that you can find the original Zone VI forms on eBay from time to time.  Otherwise just go ahead and make your own based on what I use or whatever fits your requirements.  As when cooking important dishes, do keep a recipe. You will be happy you did. Trust me!

Stay well,

Michael

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.” … Albert Einstein, printed on signage located inside Penn Station, New York. Noticed while sitting in the station.

Damn! I’ve thought about this but never articulated it. That’s why Einstein was … well, Einstein … and I am … well, me.

Think about just how profound this simple little statement is! This one is a real beaut as  my doctor from Alabama would say. Yet another wonderful takeaway from my Coney Island outing last week. But to catch something like this you have to really keep your mind’s eye open for the many little and sometimes not so little tidbits out there. And then if need be, write them done or memorialize them in some other way. That way you won’t ever forget them when you need them.

Turns out that what Einstein said makes so much sense in life and in art! In the case of our photography, it doesn’t matter how much technical knowledge and skill you or I have to make the perfect print … it’s not worth a damn if it’s an emotional snoozer!

So what does it take to make a wonderful image?  I believe it’s a combination of being in the right place at the right time, some good luck … and yes … some real imagination!

Stay well,

Michael