I keep hearing all the amazing film photographers out there say that I just need to send a few rolls to Richard's Photo Lab and I will be blown away. I was hoping for just that and building it up in my mind for weeks waiting for the So. California lab to send me my proofs back. My husband won't buy my surprises for any occasion because I always build it up in my mind so much that it is always a let down when I actually get the gift. For the same reason, I didn't love the pictures. They were all right, but I was building up some magical result that is probably not very realistic. Yes, I did cry a little over the proofs that looked just a little to dingy to me. Now a week later, I can finally look at the CD they sent me of the scans. I actually like some of the scans, so I shouldn't complain any more. Also, I did call Richard's and talk to them a little while and now I feel really silly because it's the proofs I really really didn't like, but the scans are okay. Hmm. Here is the comparison between my digital work and the film images I took at the same session.
Let me know what you like better...
On this one, my film picture is blurry on the people and hard to compare with justice.
I think my digital skin tones are a little flat, but I am not totally digging the film either
I like the digital color better
I like the digital color better
I think my digital overall needs a little more red, and the film one is blurry again. I shot all the film with the Pentax 645 medium format camera I borrowed from my grandpa. All the film was shot with the Fujifilm 400H and shot aperture priority 2.8 and ISO set to 160. When I didn't love the proofs because they looked too contrasty and too saturated with color, Bill (from Richard's) suggested I shoot at ISO 400 instead of overexposing. He said that overexposing film always makes it more contrasty and more saturated.
On this one, my film picture is blurry on the people and hard to compare with justice.
I think my digital skin tones are a little flat, but I am not totally digging the film either
This is fun and fascinating to follow. I have to say I liked most of the digital better, but there were a couple film ones I liked better. I have a feeling that you will refine this and master it beautifully Missy! I'm excited for your next post already. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the film versions for their color, sharpness and detail retention. But, I also really love the saturated and contrasty images that result in over-exposed film, so, maybe I am biased here. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the same experiment as you are... basically, I love the look of film, but I need to master my specific style. I know some of the pros that use film do some tweaking too. On all of these, I love the film best. I find the digital picks up to much of the yellow's and loses detail in the highlights. It really is slow slight.. but for some reason, I notice. honestly, all of these are great!
ReplyDeleteI am totally assuming the digital samples you're providing are the original captures. If so, I agree with Theresa in that the digital samples the detail s in highlights are a little lost, but at least not entirely. I feel like the color and contrast on the "ballpark" film picture is spot on (I wasn't there so I may be wrong :P). The same can be said about the images where the couple is lying down on the quilt. Those are pretty darn near perfect tones on the skin (I have lost my eyeglasses so I dont really see where tthe image is blurry),.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, the captures are all great, but I am leaning more towards the film, mostly because they look quite "finished" and there is more depth . I guess that's one of the reasons some photographers are switching to film, because they want a finished product, to say.
Keep up the great work :) :)
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ReplyDeleteYo Missy!! I love the film pictures!!! I think maybe if you set your ASA to 200 or 250 you'd certainly get less contrast, but you'd also get detail in your shadows!! I'd also say if you're looking for more reds in your image try Kodak's Portra VC. It seems to really push the reds and yellows to me. Much love from WV. -Derek
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just bought a Canon EOS 3 because of how much fun this will be!! So I'll be running right along with you.
I'm sorry I read your post too fast.... definitely don't go with the Portra film if your images are too saturated! Sorry... :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say that almost without exception I like the film ones. I don't know if you are doing this already but I'd recommend getting an external light meter and then meter off of the darkest shadows rather than using the internal one in the camera. Great work Missy!
ReplyDeleteAmy, neither the digital or film are straight out of camera, my stuff feels a little naked without something, but in the future, I will leave it bare since this is a very scientific process :)
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