The Photography of Neil KestersonPhotos, comments, information, and anything to do with photographyDayton Air Show - USAF ThunderbirdsDayton Air Show - NASA GuppyI didn't know Dayton was near an ocean! Dayton Air Show - CorsairDayton Air Show - B-25 BomberDayton Air Show - Attack of the ZerosDayton Air Show - Wing WalkerDayton Air Show - Props and WingsSweet Ray Laurel Session #3Fuji Reala / Scanning
These shots were taken at Stoner Creek, just past downtown Paris, Kentucky. One of the salesman I trust at Murphy's Camera in Lexington suggested I try Fuji Reala (negative/print film). I really like this stuff. I've only shot a few rolls, so I'm still learning how to use it. I'm really impressed by how much detail I can get in shadows and highlights at the same time (see the second shot of the porch roof and side of building). I like the colors, but on first impression I don't think they're as saturated as Kodak Ektar 100. But...I'm using a new software with my 120 format scanner - VueScan. So I'm still getting used to using it. What I like especially about VueScan is the ability to profile film by scanning a small portion of the mask, or unexposed area between frames. I also like that you can save a scan as a DNG (digital negative) file and open it later in Adobe Camera Raw to process. The jury's still out on this until I develop a comfortable workflow. Speaking of workflows, I can't believe how much shorter the workflow for medium format film is than 35mm. It seems like I'm always trying to color balance, remove spots and scratches, and get rid of grain with 35mm. With medium format, very little is done outside of basic Photoshop levels and curves adjustments. Even the scan times seem shorter, because I'm not having to run a lot of noise reduction. But in the field, shooting medium format is far from fast like 35mm. I guess that's the trade off.
Kodak Ektar 100
The first picture is of a fern on a hike in Red River Gorge recently. The second is of a tree in Lexington Cemetery (that had 3 large hole in it - it will probably fall soon). Both of these shots are on Kodak Ektar 100 negative film, a new film that is designed for scanning. This is amazing film. It has the color saturation of slide film, but the dynamic range and latitude of negative (print) film. When I say latitude, I'm being liberal. That's because over- or under-exposure will throw the colors off, especially cyan. All in all though, this is becoming one of my all time favorite films. I'm not sure how it would look optically printed (that's old-school printing using an enlarger). These are 35mm shots, and I feel that I have to fight my scanning software (Silverfast) to get the right color balance. I don't seem to have this problem when I scan medium format Ektar. At any rate, if you're looking for a very well balanced negative film that evokes the magic of slide film, give this a try. Just be prepared to run through several rolls before you get "the look" you're after. Oh, and handle it with kid gloves when scanning, it tends to scratch and pick up finger oils easier than older emulsions.
|
|