chasto

About chasto

I've been taking pictures for many decades starting with a Praktika and later a Chinon (anything cheap with an M42 screw thread) and then a Minolta

Dynax 800. My first adventure in digital was with the fantastic Optio 555 which regrettably was stolen, then a K7 and a few weeks ago a K5. I still have all this kit and can't contemplate getting rid of it.
I did some real developing and printing many years ago but had to abandon the darkroom to make room for the kids when they arrived. Now that they've flown I'm not allowed another darkroom so I've settled for developing the the occasion B&W film and dabbling in old techniques such as cyanotypes, gum prints etc, Most if not all of the old processe can be carried out in subdued light which by definition apparently, is best in the garden shed. These are all contact processes based on digital negs printed (A4) on transfer film and overhead transparencies.
If I have a particular photographic interest it's architecture but I'm also quite keen on landscapes and macros and I do find focus stacking quite incredible.

Despite all the years of practice I've yet to fully master flash photography and while my wife no longer feels the need to carry a pair of welding goggles in her handbag I do still produce the occasional high key shot.