hi... i was hoping for some suggestions of things i could do with black and white film, photographs, development, etc. for a project that would require a minimum of 50 hours...thanks!

-- (yko123an@aol.com), November 24, 1999

Answers

Well, the possibilities are endless, but that ain't what you asked is it. Maybe you could do some kind of photo essay. Is there something unique in your area? A circus in town. Ask them to let you be behind the scenes. How about a ballet, rodeo, ethnic activities. How about spending a few days at a nursing home? Something where you could spend a lot of time looking for very special photographs. By that I mean photos that are well thought out and well done. Photos you don't get by running around snapping. You could shoot something like that, then make it more special by making nice prints and mounting them on art board. If that don't take 50 hours you didn't do it the best it could have been done. If that don't work, work slower. (Just a little joke there)

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), November 24, 1999.

Do something. Take pictures of everything and anything, then sort out what is interesting. When you are blocked creatively, you have to get the wheels turning. One aspect of being blocked is getting you best ideas when you have no way of doing anything about it. Ever see the best pictures when your camera is at home? Carry a notebook. Creativity is constant hard work. Don't count on the muses. Once you get rolling, you'll have too many ideas.

-- chuck k (kleesattel@webtv.com), November 26, 1999.

Always, Always, Always carry a camera of some kind with you. And an extra roll or two of your favorite film (the kind you are most comfortable with). It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest camera with a whole bagful of lenses, in fact it is often easier (and less worrisome) if it isn't. My favorite is my old Rolleiflex 3.5/Tessar loaded with TXP or Arista 400. Second choice (sometimes first choice if I want to be even more inconspicuous) is a Retina III and the same film. Make one meter reading typical of the location, and set it and forget it.

Then let things happen and be ready for them. "F/8 and be there," applies here.

-- Tony Brent (ajbrent@mich.com), November 26, 1999.