Is there a black and white filter that darkens yellow, specifically blonde hair?

Vonder · Dec 16, 2015

Looking to do a specific nude, but my one model has blonde hair and very pale skin. I'd like more contrast between the two. Suggestions?

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Blue/cyan, but I'm not sure how great that makes her skin look.

The effects of different filters on colours in black and white

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/using-coloured-filters-in-black-and-white-photography

SchwinnParamount · Dec 16, 2015

So red darkens green (opposite side of the color wheel) and blue... although blue is not in opposition to red. What color is on the opposite side of yellow? looks like magenta. I've never seen a filter like that... although there are blue filters. You might try blue.

John51 · Dec 16, 2015

Maybe a VC filter gel for grade 5 held in front of the lens would work?

railwayman3 · Dec 16, 2015

Hoya supply a blue-ish "Portrait" filter mainly for color use, , but from the specification it might help what you want:

http://www.hoyafilter.com/hoya/products/coloredfilters/portrait/

Plain darker blue filters don't seem to be as readily available for B&W as much as the yellow-green, orange and red colors, but there are shades of blue available as light-balancing filters that might be worth experimenting with for B&W film.

AgX · Dec 16, 2015

Try Magenta (a stack of CC filters).

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Read the link I provided. It has accurate info.

AgX · Dec 16, 2015

That link does not hint at yellow hair on white skin. I rather refer to data sheets.

frank · Dec 16, 2015

The link has a colour graphic which shows the effects of different colour filters on different colours, including yellow. Surely that's at least a hint.

AgX · Dec 16, 2015

But that texts only hints at traditional b&w filters and those likely will not work.

Gerald C Koch · Dec 16, 2015

The problem with using a blue or cyan filter is that it will also darken reds and thus emphasize any skin blemishes. Selective lighting could be used to darken the hair.

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
The problem with using a blue or cyan filter is that it will also darken reds and thus emphasize any skin blemishes. Selective lighting could be used to darken the hair.

Blue filter with Gerald's caution.

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
The problem with using a blue or cyan filter is that it will also darken reds and thus emphasize any skin blemishes. Selective lighting could be used to darken the hair.

Yep. See post #2.

RSalles · Dec 16, 2015

Magenta lighten green also. I would experiment with color filters in front of flash/strobe and a digital camera to speed up the workflow. Once it's done, I'd go with film and the color filter choose,

Cheers,

Renato

cowanw · Dec 16, 2015

Perhaps near infra red film would lighten skin, see through blemishes, and leave hair darker.

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Start with a file of a colour image of a person with blonde hair. Use a digital processing program and apply various filters in black and white conversion to see what works.

Maris · Dec 16, 2015

Temporary hair dye? I've just tried a range of filters (by eye) and can't find one that significantly separates blond hair from pale skin; not even a IR720 infrared.

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Maris said:
Temporary hair dye? I've just tried a range of filters (by eye) and can't find one that significantly separates blond hair from pale skin; not even a IR720 infrared.

This is a great idea. If not, then selective lighting.

winger · Dec 16, 2015

Maris said:
Temporary hair dye? I've just tried a range of filters (by eye) and can't find one that significantly separates blond hair from pale skin; not even a IR720 infrared.

That's my best guess. I'm a fairly light blonde with pale skin. The two are close enough in color that any filter that darkens my hair is also going to darken my skin. If my hair is wet, it looks darker. Depending on how you want her to pose, you might be able to try having her hair wet?

RobC · Dec 16, 2015

A wig

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2015

Maris said:
Temporary hair dye? I've just tried a range of filters (by eye) and can't find one that significantly separates blond hair from pale skin; not even a IR720 infrared.

Black or brown shoe polish.

frank · Dec 16, 2015

Kool-aid. Remember it's black and white, so any flavour but lemon would work.

AgX · Dec 17, 2015

RSalles said:
Magenta lighten green also.

It would darken it for the positive. And that would not be an issue in this case.

Athiril · Dec 17, 2015

You want a cyan filter I think.. something that just cuts out red. Astronomical filters might work too (like H-Beta).

grahamp · Dec 17, 2015

if you go for a hair treatment, make sure it comes out with one or two shampoo treatments. You want her to be willing to come back if you need to re-shoot!

Is there a black and white filter that darkens yellow, specifically blonde hair?

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