If you want more control in your prints without changing paper or gear, keep two things on your shelf: 10% potassium bromide, and Sodium carbonate solutions.
Author Archives: Tim Layton
D-23 Film Developer Formula
There are a lot of film developers I could use, but D-23 remains a staple in my darkroom for one simple reason: it does exactly what I need it to do without unnecessary complexity.
Photography Is Over. I’m Still Here.
Photography is dead in the way most people knew it in the 20th century. But my photography is alive because it still requires a human eye, a real camera, real light, and a physical print you can hold.
Ozarks Mill Stories Episode 2: Hodgson Mill — Sycamore, MO | Making the Platinum Print
A century ago, the Ozarks were home to hundreds of water-powered timber and grist mills that anchored work, commerce, and community life. Many sites are now fading from time, weather, and change. This project documents the last surviving mill sites with whole-plate large format handmade platinum/palladium contact prints, paired with concise captions on location, water source, dates, and community meaning.
Ozarks Mill Stories Episode 1: Hodgson Mill — Sycamore, MO | Field Adventure & Film Development
A century ago, the Ozarks were home to hundreds of water-powered timber and grist mills that anchored work, commerce, and community life. Many sites are now fading from time, weather, and change. This project documents the last surviving mill sites with whole-plate large format handmade platinum/palladium contact prints, paired with concise captions on location, water source, dates, and community meaning.
Video – Dry vs Wet Scan of 4×5 Large Format Kodak Ektar Film
In this video, I share how different the results are when scanning film using the dry vs. wet mount methods.
Video – How to Meter for Black and White Film Using the Zone System
In this video, I share how the zone system all fits together and how it is applied to make exceptional black and white photographs optimized for the scanning process.
Video – Zone System for Hybrid B&W Film Photographers
In this video, I share a foolproof way to meter and develop black-and-white film optimized for scanning.
01/17/2026 – Adventures in the Ozarks Field Update
Today is a quick update on my trip yesterday through Calico Rock, Arkansas and up through Mountain Home and back around to West Plains, MO.
Black and White Film Characteristic Curves – Behind the Scenes
In this video, I share my method for how I create characteristic curves along with determining the real film speed (EI) and the correct development times for normal (N), expanded (N+) and contracted (N-).