Artificial lighting for paper negatives

[ajmiller]

I bought a 3200k quartz halogen light continuous video light ( from calumet here) and want to use it to light still lifes. I'm using paper negatives. No matter how I try I can't seem to get the exposures right and I've gotten myself so confused I don't know where to start any sane kind of testing. :confused:

anyone have any pointers please?

 

[jnanian]

hi tony

i am not familiar with your light but the problem you might be having is
that your paper isn't sensitive to the "color" of light it is putting out.
vc and graded papers are sensitive to greenish and bluish light.
i would do a series of tests at asa around 6 and work your way
up to 25. if nothing is recorded on the paper, you might want
to try using a different light source, or try to figure out a
filter that might change the color of your light to work
with your paper.
sorry i couldn't be much help ...

- john

 

[ajmiller]

Hi John, thanks for the reply. I've placed a piece of Lee filter - 201- over the light and this seems to be giving me what I'm after.

 

[Asmara]

If its any help, I use 2000K Arri lights frequently with PN. With wide open apertures 5,6 or faster. the exposures are typically in the 5-10 sec. range. Some people try to use a meter and rate the paper as ISO/ASA 6 or 10. I found this is just too extreme to be predictable. Actually the reason I love PN is that it is so unpredictable. Good luck.

 

[jnanian]

that is great to know tony
what was the exposure time for hte paper negs you uploaded to the gallery ?
they look like perfect exposures -
john

 

[ajmiller]

I was testing using the light and 201 filter. I rated at 25 iso and the exposures given were anywhere from 1 to 8 secs. I followed this and they didn't register on the paper very well.
I also stuck my finger in the air, felt which way the wind was blowing and multiplied by four - and they were the ones that I posted. (approx 4 times the measured exposure time).

At least I now have a starting point which is what I was after - so now I can play!!

Thanks

Tony

 

[jnanian]

thanks tony


john

 

[Rick A]

3200k light is yellow. You will have to use filters to modify the light. Try blue to see what happens.