Back to old school style !

Nateon · May 5, 2021

Hello !

I feel that today's films have a very clean, very smooth, very digital look...

Would you have ideas to obtain a more "old school" result with 4x5 cameras, black & white and color (I think particularly of Paolo Roversi's portraits) with products still in production today (I mean without using expired polaroids for example) by intervening somewhere in the production chain, whether in the selection of the film, the way of developing or enlarging ?

Paul Howell · May 5, 2021

For old school, meaning more grain, Foma 400 shot at ISO 250, developed in D76 1:1 or 1:3, maybe even a Rodinal Clone, condenser enlarger, print lower contrast, Foma warm tone paper.

Jonno85uk · May 5, 2021

Foma Retropan 320?

Luckless · May 5, 2021

Googled Paolo Roversi and skimmed through some galleries that popped up.

Note: I've not yet had my coffee this morning so take this commentary with a very large grain of salt.

Nothing really jumped out as being super old school ortho film or anything, so that is probably not the road you're looking for. Most of the images appeared to be high or at least highish contrast lighting with at most moderate fill. Fairly classic and not super complex.

And I don't think any of the black and white photos from the gallery were a super sharp image. The level of ghosting in a number of them also suggests a lower shutter speed, and probably not done with high powered modern flashes.

For something like this I would suggest picking a film stock and some camera gear you have access to, do some photography with the lighting style along the lines of what was used that you're drawn too, and then post the results here [along with details on your process and what you were thinking while doing it] for further discussion.

macfred · May 5, 2021

I agree with Mr. Luckless - P. Roversi's portrait work doesn't lool 'old school' to me (though he has some very nice work at the Pirelli calendar 2020).

Alan Edward Klein · May 5, 2021

Nateon said:
Hello !

I feel that today's films have a very clean, very smooth, very digital look...

Would you have ideas to obtain a more "old school" result with 4x5 cameras, black & white and color (I think particularly of Paolo Roversi's portraits) with products still in production today (I mean without using expired polaroids for example) by intervening somewhere in the production chain, whether in the selection of the film, the way of developing or enlarging ?

Before digital, photographers were usually looking for cleaner, non-grainy film. We're never happy.

R.Gould · May 5, 2021

For old school try shooting Foma 400, that was one of the big attractuons for me when I started using it, a long long time ago

gone · May 5, 2021

I looked at the shots by the photographer you mentioned, but he's getting that look largely from working in the studio and using alternative/hybrid methods. He's got nice work, but it looks quite commercial.

Unless you're absolutely settled on 4x5 (and LF is quite another thing from most photography), IMHO you'd be better off going to old 35mm and 120 cameras and loading them w/ old school type films like Tri-X, Foma, etc. Developers like D76 and Rodinal would compliment this nicely. A Rolleicord w/ a 3 element Triotar, a Y or R fltr, and pushed Tri-X will work. There's a lot of ways you could go, whereas w/ LF you're limited to sheet film selection.

Lachlan Young · May 5, 2021

The images that seem most characteristic of Roversi style-wise are largely a 12" Dagor on 8x10 & lit with daylight/ HMI. In other words, don't get let yourself distracted into irrelevant psuedo-technical minutiae but consider how a slightly flarier lens (but still top of the line in its day) using older glass formulae used at relatively wider apertures/ longer exposures on a bigger format will behave - and how you & your subject will behave relative to the metaphysics of that camera.

Nateon · May 12, 2021

Thanks guys! I will try it all

Alan Edward Klein said:
Before digital, photographers were usually looking for cleaner, non-grainy film. We're never happy.

Well that's normal, first everybody want to be different even if it means going back in time and secondly for someone young like me, (24 years old) We didn't really live fully this time, this style appears as different, it's imperfect in a world where everything is very smooth, where everything is retouched to excess all so much towards perfection. I think that we want to return to something more cosy, more intimate, something that reminds us that we don't have to be perfect, psychologically a way of saying "accept me naturally as I am".

This is only my opinion of course maybe I'm wrong. (Sorry my english is not perfect I'm french)

Nodda Duma · May 12, 2021

You could always shoot dry plate if you wanted to go all the way old school.

Nateon · May 12, 2021

Nodda Duma said:
You could always shoot dry plate if you wanted to go all the way old school.

Yes, it's planned but not immediately haha

Rick A · May 12, 2021

Why do people always immediately think "old school look" begins with film. While that is true to some extent, it actually has more to do with equipment, especially lenses. Shooting wet or dry plate is an excellent idea, but lose the modern extra sharp super contrasty multi coated lens in favor of an ancient lens. Don't shoot T grain films, any traditional film will work, I prefer blue sensitive ortho film (blue Xray) works great. You don't need large format either, but a decent roll film "toy" from prior to the mid 60's should do the trick.

Nodda Duma · May 12, 2021

To your comment, Rick, the imaging media is as much a part of the equipment as the lens.

Sirius Glass · May 12, 2021

Nateon said:
Yes, it's planned but not immediately haha

No half hearted attempts! Use wet plates!

Rick A · May 12, 2021

Nodda Duma said:
To your comment, Rick, the imaging media is as much a part of the equipment as the lens.

Did you bother to read my entire statement or did you skip over the part about film and plates.

Nodda Duma · May 12, 2021

Rick A said:
Did you bother to read my entire statement or did you skip over the part about film and plates.

nope, I read it thoroughly. I’m one of many who do. Problem is, online forums are very limiting forms of communication.

You implied that you need to use old lenses in addition to swapping out film, but substitute out for a primitive emulsion and even that alone can give you an antique look with a modern lens.

If you meant otherwise, I’m sorry I misinterpreted.

Back to old school style !

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