Monochrome selection

Earlier this year I digitized a large part of my 35mm film archives. While making selections for a previous post on revisiting an area of the city, it made sense to plan for two separate posts. These monochrome selections are part two, while part one includes only colour photos.

Photographs were made while exploring Toronto’s Port Lands, as well as some industrial sites to the east of the Don River. Streets such as Eastern Avenue, Carlaw Avenue, Commissioners Street, and Cherry Street were close by and loaded with scenes I wanted to capture. 

The grey winter months and in foggy conditions did not offer ideal conditions for a beginner. After reading up on technique, and a little practice, I headed out repeatedly with my tripod.

There seemed to be ships everywhere. It was fairly easy to get close enough for photos. 

Most of the photos taken here were never printed with any care. At first, I would have the exposed film rolls developed at the lab, and also receive a set of 4×6 prints. All would be processed using a standard setting just like typical snapshots. 

After learning that black and white photo printing required more attention, I began requesting only a contact sheet rather than waste money on so many flat looking prints.

Then I started developing the film myself and simply set it aside for later. A few would be chosen to enlarge, eventually. 

Now I’m able go through all of the frames and ‘develop’ them more closely to my preference. Overcoming the low contrast and heavy grain is almost impossible, but it feels great to truly see some of these images for the first time.