This sounds fun--willing targets and a sunny afternoon. I'm not much on
filters--used to use coloured filters all the time, but I've since found
that in general I'm happier with the resolution and contrast of a bare clean
Zuiko. While a red filter can be used to increase the contrast between skin
and sky, I find the loss of speed a nuisance.
Most of my interest is with the variety of films one can use. My favourite
films for this type of thing are 1. Agfapan 25 and then 2. Pan F (50).
Agfapan 25 is simply amazing--souped in Rodinal it has an 'antique' quality
(extremely high acutance and glowing whites). The obvious drawback however
being the speed. I know that lots of folks have given up on Pan F in favour
of Delta 100 or TMax 100 (fine grain and good tonality), but in my
experience PanF is more forgiving. Personally, I've had very mixed results
w/ Delta 100 and wouldn't suggest using it w/out some testing.
If speed is an issue, I wld go w/ Agfapan 100 or FP4+ (125) both have good
latitude and are reasonably fine grained. HP5+ (400) in a compensating
developer (like Edwal FG7 (1:15 7odium sulphide (or is it sulphite I
always get confused))) is also very nice and very each to work with.
Although I've never printed it above 11x14.
I don't know what your plans are concerning developing--whether you're
planning to do the negs yourself or not. If not, I'd recommend taking them
to a speciality lab. I'm not sure where you are in .ca, but here in
Vancouver there a couple of excellent b&w labs and I found a good one in TO
when I was there--so they are around (if you want I will give you the
names). While most labs tend to use D76 or ID11, you can get some of them to
use other developers. You might even get the lab to recommend a couple of
film/dev combos for you to try. And I'd probably try a few test rolls
before the actual shoot to see what I liked.
Good Luck
Glen
-----Original Message-----
From: John Hudson <jahudson@xxxxxxxxx>
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: September 14, 1999 7:28 PM
Subject: [OM] Black and white portraits
>Our son has asked that I take some posed and casual outdoors black and
>white portraits of him and his girl friend. I told him I have not done any
>b/w in almost 30 years but he is insistent! They are both in their mid 20s
>and will be good photogenic subjects.
>
>I have an Om4t and various lenses from 28mm to 135mm but no b/w filters
>other than u/v.
>
>Not wanting to disappoint my son can someone please advise me which:
>
>1. Filters I should get or borrow........ yellow, blue, etc
>
>2. Film is likely to be the most appropriate .........good for clear or
>cloudy skies and with good exposure latitude.
>
>Seems that my son wants to wear black and white and conjur up something
>like the 1956 "James Dean in a leather bomber jacket" look!
>
>Any other get-up-the-learning-curve-advice will be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>John Hudson
>
>
>
>< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
>< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
>< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
>
>
>
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|