Jens Mauthe Launches Online Archive Documenting Analog Process and Darkroom Practice

Richmond, Virginia, 18 Dec 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Jens Mauthe, an amateur film photographer based in Richmond, Virginia, has launched a dedicated online archive focused on analog photography and traditional darkroom printing. The site documents a long-term personal practice built around mechanical cameras, black and white film, and hand-produced photographic prints.

Mauthe works exclusively with film. He shoots 35mm and medium format formats and avoids digital capture entirely. Every roll is developed by hand in a home darkroom. Contact sheets, work prints, and final prints are produced using traditional enlargers, fiber-based paper, and archival chemistry. No lab services are used at any stage.

The archive presents photography as a process rather than a single image. Each project includes detailed technical notes covering exposure settings, film stocks, developer choices, dilution ratios, agitation methods, and printing adjustments. These records remain attached to each body of work to preserve context and decision-making.

Subject matter centers on quiet, everyday environments across Richmond. Mauthe photographs empty interiors, transitional spaces, aging surfaces, and structural details. He avoids events, portraits, and staged scenes. Locations are revisited over time to observe light changes and physical wear. The work favors restraint and consistency over volume.

The website functions as both a gallery and a working notebook. Visitors see finished prints alongside contact sheets and process documentation. Equipment logs track camera bodies, lenses, and film batches. Darkroom notes outline paper choices, contrast filters, and exposure sequences. The structure reflects a belief that photography improves through repetition and documentation.

Mauthe began working with film as a personal hobby and gradually built a disciplined workflow. Over time, the darkroom became central to the practice. Printing decisions receive as much attention as camera work. Images are evaluated as physical objects rather than digital files. Each finished print represents the final outcome.

The archive also serves as a public record of learning. Failed negatives, uneven prints, and test strips remain part of the documentation. The intent stays honest. Show the full process without editing for perfection. This transparency supports other film photographers interested in long-term craft development.

Richmond provides a steady source of subject matter. Older buildings, industrial remnants, and changing neighborhoods offer subtle visual variation. Mauthe works within walking distance when possible and limits gear to maintain consistency. Familiarity with locations supports controlled experimentation with film and paper combinations.

The online archive will continue to expand with new photo essays and technical updates. Each addition follows the same structure. Expose. Develop. Print. Document. Publish. The goal stays fixed. Create physical photographs through a repeatable, deliberate process.

This release was published on openPR.