Getting the 'gritty' portrait look

1kgcoffee · Jan 19, 2017

I know how to do it digitally, by adding clarity and contrast, adjusting curves etc.

But how would you about getting portrait negatives that have a gritty look to them? I want to see character in the face. What film and developer would you use. Would you push it, by how much?

I'm shooting neopan 100 right now but have some hp5 and tri-x in the mail. For developer I have xtol and d76.

If it makes any difference, for cameras I shoot a kiev 6c medium format and minolta srt-200.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 19, 2017

Welcome to APUG.

Tri-X at 400 works for me, but I think many would push it to 800 or 1600.

Sirius Glass · Jan 19, 2017

If you want bigger grain that do not use XTOL. XTOL is designed to give very fine grain.

removed account4 · Jan 19, 2017

hi 1kcoffee

you might be interested in getting that "ortho look" with your panchromatic film
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
back in the day for that gritty look you would use tri x ortho, like karsh, it gave character
lines, made women's lipstick black ... ilford still makes an ortho film, that might do the trick
if you don't want to deal with filter factors &c ... if you have cameras that can take a large enough negative
you might also consider paper negatives, with a yellowish filter to tone down the contrast a little.

have fun !
( welcome to apug too ! )
john

Colin Corneau · Jan 19, 2017

Am I right to assume by "gritty" you mean high(er) contrast and increased grain? I'm afraid as far as "character" goes, that'll be up to your subject.

Starting with a 400 speed film and pushing a stop or two is a good start to increased grain. Using a developer like Rodinal will also help that along.

You might also want to look at Ilford's Delta 3200 film to see if its unique grain structure strikes your fancy.

1kgcoffee · Jan 20, 2017

Thanks for the responses.

Here's an example of the look I'm going for:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaneginer/4538293341/

I do want some grain and contrast, but not tons of grain as I want the skin textures to be very noticeable. I ordered some delta 3200 to try out. Is it much different than pushing hp5 or tri-x?

jnanian, actually now that you meantion it the ortho look is what I'm after.. greater sensitivity on the uv side to reveal imperfections on the skin and the way short wavelength light scatters to show texture and flaws.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/page.asp?n=64

I guess this would mean using a black light for side lighting in a dark room, no flash and higher asa either pushed or something like delta 3200

For developers is there a technique or specific for favouring one side of the spectrum, IR or UV? Maybe I should use an orthopan film like acros and push it several stops?

removed account4 · Jan 20, 2017

1kgcoffee said:
Thanks for the responses.

Here's an example of the look I'm going for:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaneginer/4538293341/

I do want some grain and contrast, but not tons of grain as I want the skin textures to be very noticeable. I ordered some delta 3200 to try out. Is it much different than pushing hp5 or tri-x?

jnanian, actually now that you meantion it the ortho look is what I'm after.. greater sensitivity on the uv side to reveal imperfections on the skin and the way short wavelength light scatters to show texture and flaws.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/page.asp?n=64

I guess this would mean using a black light for side lighting in a dark room, no flash and higher asa either pushed or something like delta 3200

For developers is there a technique or specific for favouring one side of the spectrum, IR or UV? Maybe I should use an orthopan film like acros and push it several stops?

hi iqgcoffee
i am afraid i can't help you with black lights &c
but you can get an ortho look just by using ortho film that ilford makes
or putting a filter on your iso3200 and dialing in your filter factor ...
i've never heard of using black lights for lighting &c ... but i have
processed+printed a ton of tri x ortho for karsh-esque portraits,
and i have made my share of portraits using photo paper instead of film.
you might look at some of the paper negative portraits by joe van cleave
he is an amazing photographer and is able to tame the contrast paper negatives are known for.
good luck !
john

EdSawyer · Jan 20, 2017

The photo example has contrasty directional lighting, and significantly sharpened/contrast adjustments in photoshop. So, expect those sort of things as a precursor to this type of look, outside of the film requirement(s).

adelorenzo · Jan 20, 2017

Try a green filter. According to Ansel Adams: "The use of a greenish filter (#11 or #13) will tend to give more vigorous flesh tones, most noticeable in the lips and ruddy or sunburned skin."

I've done this for a few outdoor portraits and it definitely adds interest to the face.

Gerald C Koch · Jan 20, 2017

No need for using UV light. Just use a green filter to darken red skin imperfections. This has been recommended for male portraits. Don't overdo it. Use a light green filter as recommended above.

Saganich · Jan 20, 2017

Th portraiture is high contrast or pushed but like like Silver Effex Pro structure boost is giving the "gritty quality" I would say any non-dissolving developer in that light pushed alittle would give similar effect. For example I can approach that with Ansco130 and Trix

macfred · Jan 20, 2017

You can try a #47 blue filter. I've seen portraits shot with those filters (I guess it was on flickr) - skin looks very gritty and textured.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 20, 2017

Under expose Tri-x and over develop. Your shadows will have little detail and the highlights will be blocked and your neg will be grainy. Sharp developers are HC-110 or Rodinal.

removed account4 · Jan 20, 2017

there have been arguments about this
allegedly it is either cyan or blue 0r green
at least its not magenta !

i use paper
good luck with your tests
john

mynewcolour · Jan 22, 2017

I'm surprised green is being suggested. I use green to flatten images. It does darken skin, like a tan almost. I wouldn't say it hightened contrast.

Would a little over development, or dev at a higher temp, or increased agitation not be the best way forward?

removed account4 · Jan 22, 2017

here's another thread about ortho look ...
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Getting the 'gritty' portrait look

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