Caffenol and GoGo Penguin

 Luckily, I went into this knowing my GoGo Penguin pictures had a slim chance for great results. The 400 speed of the Ilford HP5, concert venue lighting conditions and handheld shots would all work against me. I left the better fitting Kodak P3200 at home on purpose. I hadn't developed the Kodak in caffenol yet, a distinction the Ilford held. This would be only my second attempt with the solution.

First capture of roll

The experimental jazz trio were performing in Ardmore near Philadelphia, a little over an hour's drive from Lancaster. I jumped at the opportunity to buy tickets for the Manchester England band, despite only knowing of them for two months. My best friend, benefitting a ticket from my partner's unavailability, offered to drive. While on the way, I loaded the Ilford roll into the Nikon FG-20, one of my favorite analog options in my small collection.



Corner deli restaurant in downtown Ardmore

Parking lot art, Ardmore

We killed time in Ardmore walking the small downtown and I took only a couple of shots before we found a place for food and drink before the show. Once inside the venue, we found our side stage section and selected first-row seats. My side stage view was going to be the backside of the piano player, the bassist and drummer obstructed. Not a dream position for compositions and mixed with the afore-mentioned issues, I knew I wouldn't be taking too many pictures and settled in to enjoy the upcoming music.

koof ibi 


koof ibi 






Drum set up




GoGo Penguin


GoGo Penguin


GoGo Penguin

The caffenol develop was a success, but as expected, the concert shots were underexposed and warped. The remainder of the roll were pretty well exposed and pleased with the results from the homemade solution. Now with two successful develops, a working baseline for the formula and process is in place and can now begin refining and experimenting.


Lancaster mural



Favorite frame on roll






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