How are intentional hazey effects used?

Mike Chalmers · Apr 3, 2022

Paul Howell said:
In the 70s, one of the Photographers I knew, Mike Carmicle, who had a studio in Sacramento he took an Kodak 3 element 80 or 75mm and used a light, very light sand paper, maybe an Emory pad and in very light moves treated the front element. From I recall he treated the out side so it had more of a diffusion effect. Not sure how many passes he made, he told he did a bit, then tested until he the effect he wanted. I have a still life he did stashed in storage, I'll see if I can pull it and scan it.

Oh wow yeah, would love to see that. I think I might try less destructive measures first but I could always get another lens..

David Lingham said:
I’ve created something similar printing in B&W by split grading and using a homemade black stocking diffuser for just the G5 exposure.

Nice! I've only ever worked in RA-4, what is G5 exposure?

David Lingham · Apr 4, 2022

Nice! I've only ever worked in RA-4, what is G5 exposure?

Split grading is a technique that uses exposures of both a soft grade(G0) and a hard grade (G5) to make a B&W print.

Mike Chalmers · Apr 4, 2022

David Lingham said:
Split grading is a technique that uses exposures of both a soft grade(G0) and a hard grade (G5) to make a B&W print.

Ah, of course - thank you. I can see how gaining experience in black and white printing would help my colour printing skills.. So much to do, so little time!

gone · Apr 4, 2022

It's difficult to reverse engineer a photograph from an online image (might be impossible), so I have no idea how those images were made. I'd try and contact the photographer and ask them how they did it if that's the look you're after. Most of it seemed to be from creative lighting, the odd colors may have come from cross development, but I don't even know for sure if those shots are from a film camera.

Paul Howell · Apr 4, 2022

Oh wow yeah, would love to see that. I think I might try less destructive measures first but I could always get another lens..

He used a cheap 3 element lens, look online for a 3 element lens such as a Kodak Enlarging Ektanon 50 or 75mm. Maybe use polishing paste of some kind to give you more control. From I recall he did it step by step, a little abrasion tested little by little until he got the effect he wanted. I think it was the combo of a 3 element lens and the softing of the abrasion that gave him the look he wanted. I will be going to my storage unit later this week and will look to see if I can find the print Mike gave me.

Mike Chalmers · Apr 4, 2022

Paul Howell said:
He used a cheap 3 element lens, look online for a 3 element lens such as a Kodak Enlarging Ektanon 50 or 75mm. Maybe use polishing paste of some kind to give you more control. From I recall he did it step by step, a little abrasion tested little by little until he got the effect he wanted. I think it was the combo of a 3 element lens and the softing of the abrasion that gave him the look he wanted. I will be going to my storage unit later this week and will look to see if I can find the print Mike gave me.

Good idea, thanks Paul. I've added this to my darkroom to-do list and will get to it but yeah would love to see the print!

RalphLambrecht · Apr 4, 2022

Mike Chalmers said:
I like this look which I believe is created in the enlarging stage and I see a different photographers utilising.

It's almost like a soft filter (but I know that these images did not use an on-camera soft filter) and was told it was done in the dark room.

Can anyone explain or point me towards resources (or the correct term) for this effect? Thanks!

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Definitely a matter of taste but for me the correct term is: 'terrible' or 'junk'

Paul Howell · Apr 4, 2022

Not sure how easy to find, I found one of books that has many techs, Kodak Creative Darkroom Techniques date 1975. Examples of using textured glass laid on top of a print, using various textures under the lens including lens cleaning tissue, painting a clear sheet of glass with nail polish.

Mike Chalmers · Apr 5, 2022

Paul Howell said:
Not sure how easy to find, I found one of books that has many techs, Kodak Creative Darkroom Techniques date 1975. Examples of using textured glass laid on top of a print, using various textures under the lens including lens cleaning tissue, painting a clear sheet of glass with nail polish.

Hey Paul, I've ordered a copy - a few are available second hand here. Thanks for the tip!

Mike Chalmers · Apr 5, 2022

Paul Howell said:
Not sure how easy to find, I found one of books that has many techs, Kodak Creative Darkroom Techniques date 1975. Examples of using textured glass laid on top of a print, using various textures under the lens including lens cleaning tissue, painting a clear sheet of glass with nail polish.

Further, Paul: I found the book is available at archive.org and I believe the relevant pages are:

How are intentional hazey effects used?

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