Hello from San Diego, CA

[Ralph Miyashiro]

An introduction to make my membership official. I learned the basics with my dad's screw mount Leica (that I now own). He cleaned out his closet and gave me a weird camera with bellows (century graphic) so I got a roll film back and once I saw the larger negative it was down the slippery slope, or one might say, over the cliff. I have no room for a darkroom so what's the next logical step? I decided on contact prints on 5x7 (8x10 looks too cumbersome and costly). An ancient Korona, harrison tent, uniroller drum, and a starter kit of Printing out paper (POP) and I'm in business. Great fun, printing in sunlight, rinse and fix. Time to try the toner. About 3 prints in and I'm out of paper and go to reorder and..... no more POP!!! How can that happen!!?? Well, I've found a place in my house to turn into my "darkened room" (no enlarger, etc.) and am experimenting with Fomalux (RC contact speed silver chloride) but my negs that printed on POP don't like it. The shadow detail gets lost. I guess the self masking qualities of POP made it pretty forgiving. So I'm toiling in San Diego, trying to learn to compose and expose.

Thanks to all the members for the ton of info.

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therepy! Durn, I thought I was the only one around here old enough to remember POP! Sounds like you got a good start into LF...keep shooting and have fun!

[Tori Nelson]

Hi Ralph and welcome. I'm just up the hill from you.

[Michael Cienfuegos]

Welcome aboard, Ralph. I'm in the East County.

[Gordon Moat]

Mostly downtown San Diego, though I spend part of my time in Houston, Texas. I think several of us tried a San Diego get together a few months ago, but never managed a group connection. Perhaps we can figure something out in the near future.

[bvstaples]

Welcome from the Tierrasanta region of Insane Diego!