Grayland, Washington, is about 70 miles east of my home along the Pacific Coast. It is windy, receives 75 inches of rain (1905 mm) a year, and rarely gets above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21C) in the summer.
Shore Pine (Pinus contorta) can be found throughout the beaches in the area. In the Rocky Mountains, they call it Lodgepole Pine (https://conifersociety.org/conifers/pinus-contorta/)
European Beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is a non-native dune grass that has taken over from the native species (https://wiki.bugwood.org/Ammophila_arenaria)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is another plant that has been introduced and is replacing the native habitat (https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/gorse#:~:text=Gorse%20is%20a%20perennial%2C%20evergreen,a%20center%20of%20dead%20foliage).
I made a mistake in shooting this film. I had the ISO set to 800 instead of 400. The negatives were difficult to work with, so I will buy the film again and see how it works with Diafine at box speed. I used the Nikon N90s to capture these images. Using VueScan software, I scanned the negatives with the PrimeFilm XEs film scanner.
Steven Lawrence Pictures 
I like the grain in these, and the inky blacks. It looks a lot like the old Tri-X (i.e. the real stuff, not the modern imposter). I’ll be interested to see whether the grain shrinks or not when you shoot another roll at box speed. Retro 400S doesn’t have the finest grain, but this is still a bit more pronounced than is typical. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it developed in Diafine before, though. So, it’ll be interesting to see whether the increased graininess is a result of the Diafine itself, or the one stop push. Even though you said the negatives were difficult to work with, I still think this was a success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will try to get another roll of the film in the next 2 weeks. I bet the grain will be the same but there will be a bit more of shadow detail. Diafine seems to bring out the grain but it is also the scanner. The Epson scanners cannot capture the detail the XEs can. I wondering if the resolution will improve shooting the film at 400.
LikeLike
Yeah, I’ve noticed Diafine does seem to bring out the grain in some stocks, but with others it seems in line with more traditional developers. Either way, it certainly doesn’t bother me any. I like grain. And I also like how well the XE/XEs resolves and renders it in the digital domain. I look forward to seeing your next roll at box speed. Take care, Steven.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scanner, along with VueScan, is doing a great job. I wish it also scanned 120 film. I need to scan some of my hc-110 developed files with the scanner to check out the grain. The Epson scanner does not have the resolution to see all the detail (or grain).
LikeLike
I do like these results. Interesting read from P in the comments. I’m finding it a fascinating read with your uploads in how you are pushing the film, going into experimental mode with choices made and come out with the results you have. Added is the ongoing process of your developing with computer programmes. Truly great results. I relied on old school of enlarger, paper or filter choice for print and print or negative scanned to a basic computer system. And only used a couple of film choices. Ilford HP5 or sometimes Delta. Used 400 so much more than the 100 too. So reading your experiences and travels in photography are very interesting. Cheers. All the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would still use a darkroom for printing if I had the opportunity. There is a public darkroom at the local university but scheduling and having the ability to work long hours is problematic. I have always used various film stocks and will continue to do so. I am sticking with Diafine until it fails me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We too had the local University of Aberystwyth Arts Centre with the public use darkroom opportunity. Not sure if it is still going. Looks like you are really enjoying your new photography experiences. Brilliant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the open space in the first and last photos. Great work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our beaches are large open spaces. There are resorts around but it is not like Florida or California.
LikeLike