My final project in Photo II (the second darkroom class in the BFA program I'm in)

[Ms. Toad]

13. I load my own film

That knocks off 40-50% of the cost.

The formal requirement for the class is 10 rolls, minimum, plus 200 sheets of fiber based paper. We're expected to create 3 series of 10 images during the semester, with a final series of 20 images. I still have about 50 sheets of paper left and enough bulk film for several more rolls. But yes, it it's pricey. It helps that I am retired from the university so I get classes for free. Most states have free audits for seniors.

I've been reluctant to do much macro photography because (generally) everyone does it, and most of it feels like shooting fish in a barrel. So I've been focusing on lines and shapes as much as the subject itself, to distinguish my images from all of the "oooh pretty close up stuff!" Thanks for the feedback that at least some of my images worked, from that perspective!