Category Archives: Darkroom Diary

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-).

Learning to Breathe in the Dark Pictorial Whispers 2026 Plate 1

Pictorial Whispers is my ongoing body of work made with fully handmade 1840s calotype paper negatives. I work at the same old window in my Ozarks studio, using only natural light, as a way to stay present with the loss of my youngest daughter and to write honestly about grief, fear, and endurance so people who are hurting feel less alone.

William Holland Furlong’s 1843 breakthrough—and why it changed calotype

The single-bath “double-iodide” iodizing method, as described by William Holland Furlong and read aloud by John Adamson on April 3, 1843, made calotypes more reliable and repeatable. That stability opened the door for the Adamsons (and Hill & Adamson) to work at scale, and it changed everything for the calotypists in 1843.

John and Robert Adamson: The Brother Who Taught a Master

In a previous article, I shared that as of November 1, 2025, I work exclusively with the St Andrews-era calotype: iodized paper, excited with aceto-nitrate of silver (without gallic acid in the exciting bath), and developed in gallic acid. This is the chemistry John Adamson employed in 1843 to stabilize and make the process repeatable. John Adamson was a medical doctor and clearly was an intelligent and critical thinker.

I’m Moving to a Historically Correct Calotype Workflow

As of November 1, 2025, I now work exclusively with the St Andrews-era calotype: iodized paper, excited with aceto-nitrate of silver (no gallic acid in the exciting bath), and developed in gallic acid. This is the chemistry John Adamson used to make the process stable and repeatable. 

Nikon ES-2 35mm Film Digitizing Adapter

For analog 35mm film photographers who want the convenience of digital scans without sacrificing quality, the Nikon ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter presents a compelling solution. Whether you’re looking to archive your negatives, share them online, or preview your analog work before printing in the darkroom, the ES-2 offers a streamlined, high-resolution digitizing process—right from your camera.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Field Notes for 10/07/2025

Date: October 07, 2025, 06:45 AM CTSubject: Horses, River/Creek Levels, and LandscapesConditions: Water: low, Wind: calm, Light: overcast, Temp: 67°F Introduction No fine art photos today. Strictly environmental work and checking the status of the river, creeks, and fields. The water levels in the river and creeks are currently extremely low, having trended downward for some time. DueContinue reading “Ozark National Scenic Riverways Field Notes for 10/07/2025”

A Year on the Jack’s Fork River Corridor – Ozarks National Scenic Riverways

Starting today, October 5, 2025, I’m documenting a year on the Jack’s Fork River in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways—river, forests, and the wild horses—using large-format black-and-white film.