As the stress of finals begin to fade there is a rise of creative freedom as students try to take advantage of the end of the year opportunities and create as many memories as possible. Because for some graduation is soon approaching and emotions are becoming tangles as we realize that even though we are moving onward and upward to better things we are leaving behind a life irreplaceable. I thought the “graduation feels” would pass me. Getting my cap and gown… just another costume. Finishing my assignments… already planning future projects. But alas, on a simple Tuesday I was tasked to shoot some black and white film that would later be developed in an alternative process known as “Cafenol Processing”.
As a freshman entering the photo program we are taught the basics of a camera; aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Afterward, all digital and color elements are removed with assignments that require shooting both 33mm and 4×5 black and white film. where exposure is literally everything. Over the course of 2 years, things became more complex as different challenges were presented. But this week we went back to the beginning but added a twist that would baffle the basic freshman.
The developer was made with a solution of water, vitamin C, and washing soda with parts that vary depending on the ISO of the film. The smell is mildly horrific and developing time is a bit longer but the final results are lovely.
Looking at the final scanned images regardless if some were “shot from the hip” and out of focus it reminded me of not only how far I have come but my peers and cohorts as a whole have come.
Tia Erin Artistry 
Coffee, very interesting!
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