Do you ever do portraits in Velvia?

trondsi · Apr 3, 2016

Im just curious if anyone actually dares to use Velvia (50 or 100) for portraits. If you have any tricks to make it work etc. Some people love to break the "rules" after all

Kevin Caulfield · Apr 3, 2016

It's not the best film for skintones, but you probably already know that.

Fixcinater · Apr 3, 2016

I've taken some street/travel shots when I've had it loaded and wanted to take a photo of family. If I had the choice, I would use Provia then 100 then Velvia 50 due to palette.

Couple things seem to help: flatten lighting (find shade/front lighting or if you are using lights then make them soft and even) and older lenses with less contrast.

Les Sarile · Apr 3, 2016

There are rules?

Fuji Fortia which I understand is Fuji Velvia but only sold in Japan.

Wayne · Apr 3, 2016

I'd only use Velvia for very dark/black skin. It doesn't do flattering things for fair-skinned people.

removed account4 · Apr 3, 2016

the only time i ever used velvia for portraits it was sheet film,
and i developed it in coffee and dektol and converted the negatives to b/w
so the vividness velvia images typically present was toned down a bit

that portrait is great les !

Les Sarile · Apr 3, 2016

jnanian said:
that portrait is great les !

Thanks! I figure with all the colorful cars and characters, I needed a film that can match the scene. To control vivid colors and contrast, overexposing helps. Of course just how much will depend on the film and lighting so the only way to really know is by shooting and seeing the results.

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 3, 2016

trondsi said:
Im just curious if anyone actually dares to use Velvia (50 or 100) for portraits. If you have any tricks to make it work etc. Some people love to break the "rules" after all

No! And definitely not with the 100 version.
Provia 100F is available for Portraits, plus 400X legacy stock.

Larry Cloetta · Apr 3, 2016

Portraits sure, portraits of parrots, mostly. Wife or girlfriend, not so much.

tomfrh · Apr 3, 2016

Fixcinater said:
I would use Provia then 100 then Velvia 50 due to palette.

This is my experience for people shots.

The best thing is to try it for yourself to see how you find it.

Because velvia is real saturated and warps colours somewhat, the lighting colour makes a big difference too.

ericdan · Apr 3, 2016

I found Velvia is not so bad for Asian skin. What I don't like about any slide film for portraits is that it shows skin texture so much. All pimples, and imperfection become so apparent on slide film.
It can look cool for men I think.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2016

Larry Cloetta said:
Portraits sure, portraits of parrots, mostly. Wife or girlfriend, not so much.

Welcome to APUG

I like your sense of humor.

MattKing · Apr 3, 2016

Not Velvia, but on Ektachrome E100G.

Darn optical brightener s.

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 3, 2016

ericdan said:
I found Velvia is not so bad for Asian skin. What I don't like about any slide film for portraits is that it shows skin texture so much. All pimples, and imperfection become so apparent on slide film.
It can look cool for men I think.

Folds, bulges, wrinkles and pimples a problem?
Use a pinhole camera!

trondsi · Apr 3, 2016

Great photos MattKing! Is that 8x10 format?

Bill Burk · Apr 3, 2016

My buddy Tom

http://www.beefalobill.com/20060700_h/source/6907-20.htm

MattKing · Apr 3, 2016

trondsi said:
Great photos MattKing! Is that 8x10 format?

Thanks.

Not 8x10 - 6x4.5 in a Mamiya 645. They project really well.

It helped though that it was a day of mist and very diffused light.

Tony-S · Apr 18, 2016

Larry Cloetta said:
Wife or girlfriend, not so much.

Wow, you have both?

Poisson Du Jour · Apr 19, 2016

Bill Burk said:
My buddy Tom

http://www.beefalobill.com/20060700_h/source/6907-20.htm

That is prutty darned red up there on the cheeks! Either sunburnt or been sittin' too close to the microwave down on the ranch...

Lamar · Apr 20, 2016

I pretty much quit shooting slides when E100G went away, my favorite reversal film. Velvia is nice but for me it has limited applications. But for those limited applications nothing else comes close. E100G was a good do everything slide film and had the exact right pallet for my tastes. Wonderful reds and whites and great skin tones, not over saturated or contrasty..

MattKing said:
Not Velvia, but on Ektachrome E100G.

Darn optical brightenerView attachment 153827 View attachment 153828 s.

HiHoSilver · Apr 20, 2016

trondsi said:
Great photos MattKing! Is that 8x10 format?

I second that.

Athiril · Apr 21, 2016

Got my stash of Astia 100f, Velvia 100f, and E100G

You could try pulling one of the Velvia and increasing exposure, or just shoot Provia.

removed account4 · Apr 21, 2016

i think i mispoke when i said the only portraits i have taken with velvia were
recent ...
about 10-13 years ago i made a few both with junk lenses on a speed graphic
and with a graflex slr.
i ws going to upload them to this thread
but instead they are here:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Henning Serger · May 4, 2016

trondsi said:
Im just curious if anyone actually dares to use Velvia (50 or 100) for portraits. If you have any tricks to make it work etc. Some people love to break the "rules" after all

Yes, I have experience with Velvia 50 and 100 in portrait and fashion photography. My most used films in this genre are Astia 100F, Sensia III, Provia 100F / AgfaPhoto CT Precisa 100 and Provia 400X.
But I am also using Velvia (especially Velvia 50) quite regularly in portrait and fashion, too. Results can be excellent.
Velvia and its rendering of skin tones: It is a much more versatile film than many photographers think. It can be indeed used for portrait and fashion photography. There is only one aspect to be considered: The person you photograph should not have a reddish skin tone, that does not work well with Velvia indeed. But with all other skin tones, no problems at all. Whether you have people with a pale skin tone, or a tanned skin tone, or black people, all that looks very good with Velvia. Here just some examples from me:

Here a lady with a bit pale skin tone, and a wonderful red dress. The original red of this dress was amazing, and I used Velvia 50 for this subject because the Velvia 50 red is unsurpassed, and it recorded the original red perfectly:
https://www.facebook.com/1589626601....1462382121./1670828193206770/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/1589626601....1462382117./1685967641692825/?type=3&theater

And another young lady with a bit pale skin tone:
https://www.facebook.com/1589626601....1462382121./1669591939997062/?type=3&theater

Best regards,
Henning

Huss · May 4, 2016

Just shot on Velvia 50 220 last week.
I used it for this shoot because I want that punch in skin tones, and you really get it with Velvia 50 and direct sunlight.

Do you ever do portraits in Velvia?

trondsi

Kevin Caulfield

Fixcinater

Les Sarile

Wayne

removed account4

Les Sarile

Poisson Du Jour

Larry Cloetta

tomfrh

ericdan

Sirius Glass

MattKing

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Poisson Du Jour

trondsi

Bill Burk

MattKing

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Tony-S

Poisson Du Jour

Lamar

HiHoSilver

Athiril

removed account4

Henning Serger

Huss

Do you ever do portraits in Velvia?

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