Starting B&W, which film?

[hongsien]

While I have been reading and thinking, did not want to intervent to much in the arguements as I enjoyed all point of views (taking it as a learning lesson from discussions). Being educated is a joy to me



Sorry guys but I am not a artistic person (see my nick you know I am very technical kind) but trying to develop my personal style which I like. Unlike my 2 sisters who are more artistic (one being a photographer long before me and the other who went through an art school in designing), I really am finding it hard to find inspiration most of the time. Probably I may only get what I want after 5 or even 10 years, but I would think it is worth the time with the learning process. Just hope that film will be still there available for me instead of me buying abroad.



Christopher

No problem! Someone said something like "it is the process of doing it that is important, not the goal itself".......forgot who said this, was it Buddha? Or Lao Tse?.....


Hong Sien

 

[hongsien]

Here is one pic that could have benefitted from Zone, as the contrast was very high, although to me it is ok now....wanted to have more details in the Buddha itself, had to burn alot there:

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This one was fine with me, darker print shows the mood better:

 

[Wisp]

The last one looks as if it's done on FB 0.0

 

[hongsien]

The last one looks as if it's done on FB 0.0

Hi Wisp.

No, I printed it on normal grade paper (I typically use grade normal or even 'hard', grade 4 with Afga, but now they have these wonderful variable graded papers....but I still prefer graded paper from the old days, maybe its because I am analog....It is bromide paper yes, if thats what you mean, I don't understand what 0.0 is....?

could be that the pc screen is softer than reality? In the original print, the print is pretty 'dark' : black is black, and white is white and the greys in between

On my laptop screen I can see many 'grey streaks' over the dark areas, don't know what these are? Think my screen can't show all the greys available?, when I look straight at the screen its better, from an angle its worse....

HS

 

[Pro Image]

Zone System is not necessary but if you have a chance to learn it, it will make your life easier as we have full control in exposing, developing and printing in B&W. It's not a must.........

It took me 3-4 months to fully master the ZS. Basically ZS is all about getting your own personnel timing from exposing your film until your final print.

Everything all on your own......from the chemicals that you use in paper and film printing, film that you choose for your exposure, the paper that you select, the treatment of your paper, the enlarger and so on.......it never ends.

Anyway what you have commented has it's positive and negative values.

Wisp has given us a brief preview about Black and White photography. :thumbsup:

 

[hongsien]

Yeah, I know, but I can't be bothered . I mostly overexpose, never check the temp when developing, and usually overdevelop...so most of my negs are thick....but the results are fine for me, exactly what I want,......as for the last pic, I liked it that the flowers are brighter, and the rest darker.....I didn't dodge or anything,straight print. It is the image that counts for me.......

Hong Sien

 

[djchris]

I recommend tri-x 400...nice grains..

 

[hongsien]

I recommend tri-x 400...nice grains..

To each its own, I always use Tri-X for its grain, but others may choose otherwise, who cares?

HS

 

[lualua]

yeah.. to each his own.. I tried Tmax 100 despite "warnings" from friends, who are established professionals.. now I love that film.. super fine grain, nice tones.... other than that, its HP5 for me, more speed, more flexibility.. esp when you have to stick on to that light eating colour filter.

Love verichrome pan too but think they already discontinued the emulsion? what a shame!

 

[hongsien]

yeah.. to each his own.. I tried Tmax 100 despite "warnings" from friends, who are established professionals.. now I love that film.. super fine grain, nice tones.... other than that, its HP5 for me, more speed, more flexibility.. esp when you have to stick on to that light eating colour filter.

Love verichrome pan too but think they already discontinued the emulsion? what a shame!

Hi lualualalala,

Verichrome pan, is that a B&W slide film? I may be able to help you in getting it from HK, maybe a different brand, but if I am correct I saw it here...

HS

 

[Wisp]

Tmax100 is okay if you meter accurately( benefits ALOT from the zone system...). In fact, any of the TMAX series I find benefits from accurate metering and development..the results are often very beautiful unlike what everybody says.However, get one part wrong..and there goes the neighbourhood.

Delta to me is often more flexibile, but still rather stringent on over/underexposure. Pushing is no problem though...