Lichfield Cathedral East End (failed sky burn in)

Two things - one: bring at least a yellow filter with you to get some cloud separation, and two: make yourself a dodging paddle that is the same shape as the cathedral body. This really does work, if you plan carefully.

I used a yellow filter (it says so above) but it was really too dark to be any use. I will try some custom burning masks when I get time.

If a yellow wasn't sufficient, try an orange next time, or even a red.

I very much doubt an orange or red filter would have made much difference with an overcast sky in failing evening light. The light, what there was of it, was completely flat. Furthermore, the exposure was already at the limit of what I can do hand-held. A larger filter factor would have meant such a slow shutter speed that I’d have needed a tripod and I did not have one. The fact that this is 400 ISO film with the lens wide open at f2.8 and 1/60s gives some idea of how little light there was.

Another thought to the printing - try doing one base exposure of the print around grade 1, then a second, shorter exposure at grade 5. That might also get around your burning/dodging problem.

I’ll give it a go. Nothing to lose!

I always seem to be late to these discussions. Put a low object (a 100-sheet paper box is ideal) on the easel, then the mask material, and project the image on that. For something big like your church I'd tape a couple of thin wires to the mask so I can hold it with both hands. The extra height gives a bit of blur. I'd hold it still for a little bit, then go up and down. It's easy to modulate the effect. Also, I wouldn't burn it in so much which will ease the starkness of the effect.
Tom

It's not too late. I'll try that. Thanks.