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  #1  
Old 18th September 2016, 03:25 AM
LesBonser LesBonser is offline
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Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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Default Hello from Central Arizona, USA

Hi all,

My name is Les Bonser. I'm 55 years old and currently live in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Prior to this I lived in Las Vegas, Nevada off & on for the last 35 or so years.

I started in photography during junior high (mid 1970s) when I had to take an art class. Not being particularly artsy, I opted for the photography class. That's where I learned basic darkroom skills.

During high school, I saved my money up to buy a Nikon FM camera, but didn't do any darkroom work. I sort of lost my interest in photography during college.

Years later, during my mid 30s, I got the bug again, and this time invested in a pretty elementary darkroom setup and began developing my own black & white film and printing with a cheap enlarger. I had exactly one paying photography job at the time. A friend's sister wanted some lingerie photos for her then boyfriend. I shot maybe 5 rolls of B&W and she ended up buying 4 or 5 prints.

Mostly, I shot photos at work, of my dogs, planes, and a few landscapes.

Once again, after a few years I got tired of it and moved on to other hobbies.

Fast forward to a couple years ago (early 50s). I decided to move into the digital age and bought a Nikon Df. Still mostly taking photos of my dogs and an occasional full moon, I was always a little disappointed with the quality of the shots.

Earlier this year, I retired and decided that with more available free time, I'd try to spend more of it with my writing and photography. I started researching various photography options and discovered that film was not dead!

I bought a Nikon F6 (I already had the full frame lenses from the Df) and just ordered some more basic film developing equipment (changing bag, developing drum, and 35mm reel). I plan to develop my own B&W film and then have them scanned at a local camera store.

Joined this group to learn what's changed in the 20 or so years since I last did this and to hopefully get some inspiration.

Thanks in advance for your answers to my dumb questions.
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Old 23rd September 2016, 02:56 PM
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Bob Bob is offline
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Hi Les.

Welcome aboard!

I don't think much has changed in the last 20 years apart from some of the names you will know well are no longer in the business

However, some others you will recognise are doing well out of the reduced competition .

Enjoy your time here.


Cheers, Bob.
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  #3  
Old 23rd September 2016, 04:18 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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Hi Les and welcome to Fadu, doubt that much has changed apart from some of the names, some you won. know, such as the old Agfa papers are now proudced by Adox as Agfa foto went out of business, ilford is still around Etc
Have fun, that is what it is all about
Richard
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  #4  
Old 23rd September 2016, 05:09 PM
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MartyNL MartyNL is offline
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Hello and welcome to Fadu.
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“Reaching a creative state of mind thru positive action
is considered preferable to waiting for inspiration.”
- Minor White, 1950
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  #5  
Old 24th September 2016, 06:15 AM
RichardWarom RichardWarom is offline
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Welcome Les.
Richard
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Old 24th September 2016, 07:37 AM
SteveW SteveW is offline
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Welcome to FADU Les.
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Old 24th September 2016, 07:38 AM
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mono mono is offline
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Welcome to FADU, Les!
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MonoArt - fine photographs
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  #8  
Old 24th September 2016, 08:56 AM
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Barry Barry is offline
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Welcome to fadu.
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Cheers, Barry
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  #9  
Old 24th September 2016, 10:13 AM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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Welcome Les. Still at High School in the mid 1970s. It is good to see some younger friends like yourself here

I hope you find us friendly and useful

Mike
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Old 25th September 2016, 10:15 AM
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CambsIan CambsIan is offline
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Hi Les, welcome to FADU.

Ian
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