On the way to Virgin Falls

[Jon Buffington]

I posted a few months ago about a hike to Virgin Falls. These images were captured along the way. Like so many falls along the side of the escarpment, the falls appear out of a seam/cave and exit into another cave system. Nikon FM2n and Kodak TMY-2 (tmax400) film were used with a nikkor 20/2.8 ai lens and a nikon series e 35/2.5 lens. All developed at home with d76 and scanned on a kodak pakon f135+ scanner.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Great work Jon, I admire your dedication to film and the processing required. These images show that old technology still works and works well.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Great work Jon, I admire your dedication to film and the processing required. These images show that old technology still works and works well.

Thank you Ben. I enjoy old cameras (anything mechanical) as they are a tactile joy in my hands. I enjoy the process of developing and trying different emulsion and developer combos. I also like how B&W film renders completely different from a digital file (even in this hybrid process) and with B&W, being an abstraction as it is, I enjoy this. Plus, on a long hike, the right choice in film camera can make a very compact, lightweight kit which will make the hiking that much more enjoyable.

 

[AlanLichty]

Neat falls that come and go underground. Very nice work with the B&W.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Neat falls that come and go underground. Very nice work with the B&W.

Thank you

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice work. I have fond memories of B&W film and home developing. I was fun then, but not my cup of tea now.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Nice work. I have fond memories of B&W film and home developing. I was fun then, but not my cup of tea now.

Thank you Still shoot digital but it is really nice to slow the process down and change it up. I roast my own coffee beans instead of buying them in a store pre-roasted....I think I just like the hands on tactile processes.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jon!

These are awesome. What a very cool set of falls there.

I love the B&W look, and it's awesome you still spend some time photographing in film. I have one of my film cameras I carry with me constantly in my camera gear as I travel, my problem is I keep forgetting to use it. But your images like this are a great reminder, so hopefully I will use it next time.