Developing the Print

In this latest installment of the FotoTV Fred Picker series, Picker demonstrates his legendary techniques in black & white printmaking.

There is no extensive experience or overrated materials needed in order to produce outstanding prints. In the film Picker explains that he even still uses the same fixer for years, one that famed photographer, Ansel Adams used. Furthermore, he goes on to say there is no reason to use a rapid fixer, because he's sees no point in rushing his fine black & white printing. Picker is a master, so it goes without saying he is meticulous. In order to precisely control the consistency of the developer while developing his print, Picker uses a Thermistor, which automatically varies its electrical resistance, consequently adjusting the developer, speeding it up, or slowing it down, depending on the developer's temperature above or below the sixty-eight degree mark.

Through Picker's clear, informative, and inspiring instruction, printing custom black & white prints in the darkroom is now possible for nearly aspiring printers, even the most hard to teach.

Picker was involved in manufacturing of 4 x 5 and 8 x 10 large format field cameras. And his filters, camera designs, tripods and other photographic aids are still considered indispensable tools of the trade by photographers. He taught a highly successful photography class known as "The Zone VI Workshop," and authored a book by the same name that has become recognized as the golden standard of photographic instruction. His uncanny sense of "photographer's intuition” and his passion for the art was a unique combination. Always opinionated and oft times controversial, his dedication to large format and black and white photography was unsurpassed.