High contrast for Japan

darkosaric · Dec 10, 2017

So,

I was one week in Japan. What a beautiful country, so decent and cultural people. Putting all this aside, not to go off topic too much - I have printed today some negatives from Japan, and I have found myself printing in higher contrast that usual.
Most probably influence from many Japanese photo books from 1960 and 1970 .

My question to you - do you find something that you print different that usually when coming from some other place you have visited?

mooseontheloose · Dec 10, 2017

Interesting question. I've travelled a lot, and photographed a lot, but I'm not sure that I've changed my printing techniques as a result of the images from one place. That said, I have a huge backlog of images to print so it's possible that this may happen once I get more time in the darkroom.

Sirius Glass · Dec 10, 2017

I vary the contest based on each print. I have not varied contrast based on subject, but sometimes on composition.

darkosaric · Dec 11, 2017

What I want to say is that higher contrast in this example explains better the general feel and mood that I had while visiting Japan, and of course I want to show in my prints also what I have felt, not only what I have seen.

Cybertrash · Dec 11, 2017

Love these! Makes me want to go through my old negs from Japan and print some too! Here's one I'm quite fond of: https://www.instagram.com/p/BO22sdKAGDh/

Arbitrarium · Dec 11, 2017

Hmm I don't print my photos, but I did make a conscious decision to use Portra when I visited Iceland in the winter, because I felt like the film would complement the tones of the landscape. And it did. We're trying to save up to go to Japan and I'll be taking a load of tungsten film for Tokyo at night.

chris77 · Dec 11, 2017

i really like the first and second. street photography from the source. well done! contrast is spot on imo.

darkosaric · Dec 11, 2017

Thanks guys .

soundmanjohn · Jan 6, 2018

Nice work. Somehow I can relate. I spent 3 weeks in Japan and shot 17 rolls. The b&w shots that seemed to 'work' for me were the more gritty contrasty ones. Don't ask me why. I also picked up a Daidō Moriyama book but more towards the end of the trip

Gerald C Koch · Jan 6, 2018

Arbitrarium said:
Hmm I don't print my photos, but I did make a conscious decision to use Portra when I visited Iceland in the winter, because I felt like the film would complement the tones of the landscape. And it did. We're trying to save up to go to Japan and I'll be taking a load of tungsten film for Tokyo at night.

I would question the choice of tungsten film as most of the nighttime illumination would be form neon signs and sodium or mercury street lights. Tungsten is seldom used for street illumination these days.

As far as contrast is concerned when in the city the buildings produce dark shadows. Any city like Tokyo or New York would produce the same effect.

Vaughn · Jan 6, 2018

The bright colors and busy-ness of the inner city sort of demand a high-contrast B&W image to match the mood. I just spent 3 weeks in Japan...half in Kyoto, the second half near and on Yakushima Island. Two beautiful extremes. My images will not be high contrast, though the negatives hopefully will be. Just 6 rolls of 120 (7 negatives/roll), all Acros except for one Delta400. I am hoping for a few platinum/palladium prints...2.25'x3.5". Got 4 of the rolls loaded up in the developing tanks for later tonight.

darkosaric · Jan 9, 2018

Finally I have scanned some prints, so if someone has time and will - here they are

mooseontheloose · Jan 10, 2018

Nice work Darko! I’m always curious to see how others shoot Japan. I think I used to “see” a lot more, photographically speaking, than I do now. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve lived here so long, or I’ve just become immune to what I do see. Maybe I should bring my camera out with me more often.

I particularly like the image with all the students sitting on the ground - that is such an integral part of school culture here. During school trip season Kyoto station (and I’m sure many others) becomes a real life obstacle course, with all the students sitting down wherever there is floor space.

darkosaric · Jan 10, 2018

Thanks Rachelle . I think this is normal - I find also Hamburg not so interesting to photograph (as before when I did not lived here), and when I get visit - they are amazed how photogenic Hamburg is.

mooseontheloose · Jan 10, 2018

darkosaric said:
Thanks Rachelle . I think this is normal - I find also Hamburg not so interesting to photograph (as before when I did not lived here), and when I get visit - they are amazed how photogenic Hamburg is.

Very true! I was there last year for a couple of days, but wish I had had more time to explore the city.

Jim Jones · Jan 10, 2018

From 1967-1969 my darkroom printing in Japan was influenced by Mitsubishi Gekko paper. The Kodak paper available there didn't come close.

Sirius Glass · Jan 10, 2018

When one has lived in the same town or city for many years, they tend to "see" less unless they make an effort to be observant.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 10, 2018

I spent a lot of time in Sasebo, at the beaches mainly, and visiting the US naval base when it was open to the public... Nice little city. Thanks for posting, Darko.

High contrast for Japan

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