There's More To Photography Than Just Clicking a Shutter
Apr 15, 2018 15:26:54 #
Just developed 6 identically exposed sheets of Ilford HP4. Each was developed for a different time in Ilfotec-DDX mixed 1:7. The sheets were contact exposed using a Stouffer 20 step TP4x5-21 Transmission Projection Step Wedge. The intent is to determine negative densities based on development times. The times were 4'30", 5', 8', 11', 16', and 22' at 20C and constant agitation.
The 20 different steps are measured with a densitometer to measure how much light is passed through them. In turn, these measurements are entered into a program which will graph the various time/density for each sheet. The results are used to determine the exposure and development time appropriate for the range of light of the scene being photographed.
Though I used to chart all of this with pencil and paper years ago, I now use a program that runs on an iPhone and works a bit quicker. Probably one of the better things since bread came pre-sliced.
To some, this is a lot less fun than just snapping away with their camera. However, there is another side to photography which occurs in the lab, whether in the form of a darkroom or a computer. Similar can be done with digital. It definitely reaps rewards.
--Bob
The 20 different steps are measured with a densitometer to measure how much light is passed through them. In turn, these measurements are entered into a program which will graph the various time/density for each sheet. The results are used to determine the exposure and development time appropriate for the range of light of the scene being photographed.
Though I used to chart all of this with pencil and paper years ago, I now use a program that runs on an iPhone and works a bit quicker. Probably one of the better things since bread came pre-sliced.
To some, this is a lot less fun than just snapping away with their camera. However, there is another side to photography which occurs in the lab, whether in the form of a darkroom or a computer. Similar can be done with digital. It definitely reaps rewards.
--Bob
Apr 16, 2018 09:06:12 #
I can see by the lack of response that not many here use film or if they do don’t go to the lengths you do to ensure the proper exposure and development. While I don’t have a densotomiter, I would love to have one, I too analyze a new film developer combination to get the best results.
The snapping of the shutter is just a small part in the art of photography, especially film photography. Much of my enjoyment comes from the work in the darkroom, the chemistry of photography. The brown glass bottles of magical liquid that turns silver halide crystals into permanent images never stops intriguing me. The final image is only the last step in a very pleasurable experience.
I just saw that Freestyle now has pre-coated 8x10 glass plates for sale. Holy cow glass plate negatives! That is really old school. I already ordered some. Can’t wait to see the beauty in those imperfectly coated plates and the almost 3-D crisp images from the contact prints. Wonder how many pixel equivalent that would be?
The snapping of the shutter is just a small part in the art of photography, especially film photography. Much of my enjoyment comes from the work in the darkroom, the chemistry of photography. The brown glass bottles of magical liquid that turns silver halide crystals into permanent images never stops intriguing me. The final image is only the last step in a very pleasurable experience.
I just saw that Freestyle now has pre-coated 8x10 glass plates for sale. Holy cow glass plate negatives! That is really old school. I already ordered some. Can’t wait to see the beauty in those imperfectly coated plates and the almost 3-D crisp images from the contact prints. Wonder how many pixel equivalent that would be?
Apr 16, 2018 09:10:36 #
Yup, definitely more to photography than just point and click a shutter. Additionally, I do similar testing with my digital cameras and lenses.
I'd be very interested in your results with the glass plates. Please, keep us informed.
--Bob
I'd be very interested in your results with the glass plates. Please, keep us informed.
--Bob
GAS496 wrote:
I can see by the lack of response that not many he... (show quote)
Apr 16, 2018 09:23:26 #
GAS496 wrote:
The snapping of the shutter is just a small part in the art of photography, especially film photography. Much of my enjoyment comes from the work in the darkroom, the chemistry of photography. The brown glass bottles of magical liquid that turns silver halide crystals into permanent images never stops intriguing me. The final image is only the last step in a very pleasurable experience.
The snapping of the shutter is just a small part in the art of photography, especially film photography. Much of my enjoyment comes from the work in the darkroom, the chemistry of photography. The brown glass bottles of magical liquid that turns silver halide crystals into permanent images never stops intriguing me. The final image is only the last step in a very pleasurable experience.
It all depends on who you are. During the age of film, I shot slide film, mostly Kodachrome, and left developing to automation. I follow the same habits today, and choose to follow the ethics and workflow of a photojournalist. To me, the effort and joy come before pressing the shutter, but you're allowed to operate otherwise.
Apr 16, 2018 10:07:46 #
rmalarz wrote:
Just developed 6 identically exposed sheets of Ilf... (show quote)
This reminds me a little of when I was making unsharp masks in my darkroom. They were very tedious, time consuming, and required lots of math and testing. However, once you make unsharp masks, the results are so much better you just cannot go back to standard prints. Then...I discovered Photoshop and started scanning my negs into a computer and never looked back.
Apr 16, 2018 11:49:24 #
“To me, the effort and joy come before pressing the shutter, but you're allowed to operate otherwise.”
I am not sure what that means. But it leads me to explain that the many processes of photography are what attract me to the art form not just the final image. There have been times I packed the 60 lbs or so of large format 8x10 equipment miles or up a big hill , set the camera up and just sat there enjoying the surroundings and not expose one sheet because it was not what I had expected. Yet I still had a wonderful memorable experience, a little tired but none worse for the wear.
Some of us still use film, some of us use digital capture. Some of us enjoy different parts of the process more than others. It’s all good. We are all photographers.
I am not sure what that means. But it leads me to explain that the many processes of photography are what attract me to the art form not just the final image. There have been times I packed the 60 lbs or so of large format 8x10 equipment miles or up a big hill , set the camera up and just sat there enjoying the surroundings and not expose one sheet because it was not what I had expected. Yet I still had a wonderful memorable experience, a little tired but none worse for the wear.
Some of us still use film, some of us use digital capture. Some of us enjoy different parts of the process more than others. It’s all good. We are all photographers.
Apr 16, 2018 17:23:15 #
rmalarz wrote:
To me - an interesting photograph is more important than the perfect exposure. I see you have some 23,684 posts on this forum. I would much rather go out and click 23,684 times.Just developed 6 identically exposed sheets of Ilf... (show quote)
Apr 16, 2018 23:58:48 #
rplain1 wrote:
To me - an interesting photograph is more important than the perfect exposure. I see you have some 23,684 posts on this forum. I would much rather go out and click 23,684 times.
I opine the number of topics created is more significant than the number of posts.
You suggest that OP take more pics. Have you visited OP's galleries? If not, I suggest that you consider visiting OP's galleries.
Apr 17, 2018 07:52:01 #
JD750 wrote:
I did not make any suggestions - I only said I would rather spend the majority if my time out "Clicking a Shutter" than at a computer or in a darkroom trying to decide the perfect exposure, color or white balance. My feeling about that is that it may be perfect for your eyes but someone else will see it differently so I try to make it look pleasant to me and hope that most people agree. But if they don't, I am not going to spend another hour trying to fix it. And after all, if you don't click the shutter, nothing else matters at all. I have not been to his studio (I am assuming it is in or near Tempe) but I do get out that way often and might drop in. I am sure he is talented and produces fine work. My comments were not critical of that at all.I opine the number of topics created is more significant than the number of posts.
You suggest that OP take more pics. Have you visited OP's galleries? If not, I suggest that you consider visiting OP's galleries.
You suggest that OP take more pics. Have you visited OP's galleries? If not, I suggest that you consider visiting OP's galleries.
Apr 17, 2018 18:34:45 #
JD750, I appreciate your support. Thanks.
--Bob
--Bob
JD750 wrote:
I opine the number of topics created is more significant than the number of posts.
You suggest that OP take more pics. Have you visited OP's galleries? If not, I suggest that you consider visiting OP's galleries.
You suggest that OP take more pics. Have you visited OP's galleries? If not, I suggest that you consider visiting OP's galleries.
Apr 17, 2018 18:40:11 #
rplain, save yourself the trip. I think the reference was to the photographs I post on UHH. That would be a lot easier to check out.
I enjoy "clicking a shutter" as well. However, my clicks are with a specific purpose with an intended final result. That is more easily achieved by knowing, through a bit of lab work, what the camera/film/sensor/processing is going to produce even before "clicking the shutter". That is far more productive, as well as being part of the photographic process.
--Bob
I enjoy "clicking a shutter" as well. However, my clicks are with a specific purpose with an intended final result. That is more easily achieved by knowing, through a bit of lab work, what the camera/film/sensor/processing is going to produce even before "clicking the shutter". That is far more productive, as well as being part of the photographic process.
--Bob
rplain1 wrote:
I did not make any suggestions - I only said I wou... (show quote)
Apr 17, 2018 19:07:51 #
I enjoy clicking the shutter of my film camera without film much more than that of the digital camera.
Apr 17, 2018 19:33:53 #
GAS496 wrote:
“To me, the effort and joy come before pressing the shutter, but you're allowed to operate otherwise.”
I am not sure what that means.
I am not sure what that means.
With film, I normally shot Kodachrome. Once I had pressed the shutter, I turned remaining work over to professional automation; I largely operate that same way today. Some people, some, not all, of those who labored many hours in a Darkroom, and now do the same in a Lightroom, seem to dismiss anything without intensive after-processing as a 'snapshot'. My wording was mean to encapsulate the idea that I do put in some effort, but it mostly comes as Pre-Processing; my wife is totally prepared these days for a "five minute photo stop" to stretch out to thirty minutes or more as I struggle to capture the scene I want, that I saw in my head before I stopped
I totally respect the OP as an artist, and I do not want to turn this thread into yet another long-drawn-out squabble about the place of Post-Processing, so I will make no more comments on this subject. I just wanted to point out that some aspects of a photograph, such as perspective and DOF must be right when the image is first captured.
Apr 17, 2018 21:56:12 #
"I just wanted to point out that some aspects of a photograph, such as perspective and DOF must be right when the image is first captured".
I might add exposure should be included in that initial capture, as well.
--Bob
I might add exposure should be included in that initial capture, as well.
--Bob
rehess wrote:
With film, I normally shot Kodachrome. Once I had ... (show quote)
Apr 17, 2018 22:23:15 #
rmalarz wrote:
"I just wanted to point out that some aspects of a photograph, such as perspective and DOF must be right when the image is first captured".
I might add exposure should be included in that initial capture, as well.
--Bob
I might add exposure should be included in that initial capture, as well.
--Bob
Indeed!
What does GIRITC encompass? Composition*, exposure, focus. All necessary.
* I submit DOF and perspective are a subset of composition.
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