I see plenty of photographers who can make Ilford FP4 sing. I appreciate the veneration for this film. I’ve tried it and tried it, and yet, I just can’t seem to make it work in the same way for me. Not, that is, like other Ilford films such as HP5 plus or Delta 100.
The products of our darkrooms / printers are the products of many factors. Factors work not in isolation but form synergies of subject, light, chemistry and paper. The subject that attracts my eye may not be the same as that which attracts yours, and this may begin to explain our different regards for a particular film stock.
Just lately I’ve tried FP4 in 5x4. It’s early days, but I think I’m seeing something different to my usual results. Is it possible that I’m going to get on with FP4 in sheet film in a way that I so far haven’t in 35mm or medium format?
Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz said just this about themselves. They liked FP4 in large format better than the small ones. They saw a magic there for them that was absent in the other cases.
So my question for you today is: have you experienced this? If you aren’t aware of it, is it time to give an old ‘failed’ film another chance in a different format? Who knows, this could be the start of a whole new photographic adventure. It would be interesting to see your thoughts below.