Shooting lower light and color film - without flash

[MattKing]

I don't know that I would want to send wedding films across the international border between the US and Canada - twice!

If you do, you would most likely be looking at expensive shipping and/or substantial delays. Canada Border Services may very well charge, at a minimum, HST on the photofinishing/scanning charges and are probably entitled to charge it on the original value of the film as well!

To protect yourself, you most likely need to declare the transaction as commercial, and that could end up costing time and money and additional paperwork.

Have you investigated other local scanning options?

 

[Tim Gray]

Oh sorry, didn't realize you were in Canada. Yeah that does complicate things.

 

[dugrant153]

Yar, I'm in Canada. I didn't really think about the HST and all the other stuff. Definitely would cost quite a bit to ship, but seeing as how I've been shipping camera parts to the USA, I'm pretty used to it . Thanks for the headsup, though. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

I just got an email back from Richard Photo Labs and looks like they have some international clientel! I'll have to give them a shot and see what the costs are.

I've investigated a few scanning options, but I've only found my local lab (Custom Color - Vancouver) to do the best job. All others have had complaints, or the price for scanning is the same... in which case, it's just more worth it for me to do it myself. Or get a V700 and batch scan.

Just FYI/reality check, the documentary style with just a few posed shots has been the dominant marketing style for years now.

Duly noted. I had that in mind, so I'm hoping my images show more than just "less posed shots and more candids"... More artsy, meaningful, impactful, emotional, etc.

 

[markbarendt]

I think Mark Twain said something to the effect of, or it was said about him, to "practice to the point where it it doesn't look practiced".

The point that I'm making here is that successful photographers use formulaic processes to make their shots "More artsy, meaningful, impactful, emotional, etc."

The test of a pro is the ability to "do it again".

The pro's money/signature shots don't happen automatically, successful pros have developed "ways" to get their money/signature shots every time.

You can call these "ways", gentle direction or posing or getting the subject's attention; if you want to get more than snap shots, you will need to make that happen.

 

[dugrant153]

Appreciate the responses and advice. Think I definitely got to work on my "look" and work that formulaic process.

In terms of low light film, think I'll try shooting Portra at 800 ASA and pushing (or is it pulling?) to that ISO, but may just stick to black and white for a while since I just saw Delta 3200 on 120 format and it looks very very clean.

And also hope for sunnier days!

 

[Hassy120]

The pro's money/signature shots don't happen automatically, successful pros have developed "ways" to get their money/signature shots every time.

Good description.

 

[Axle]

I'm surprised it hasn't be mentioned yet.... use the new Kodak Portra 400, you can push/pull that film at least two stops in either direction without needing a push/pull in development with some very pleasing results. Especally the 120 size. I've shot up to 1600 in 120 and 800 in 35mm. The colours become punchy and you get a great contrast.


Shot on a Rolleiflex 2.8F, Kodak Portra 400, exposed at ISO-1600, no push in development.

 

[dmtry]

What about color slides? Which one I can use in low light conditnions and how to use them properly. Really like to shoot indoor portrets.

 

[Aristophanes]

I'm surprised it hasn't be mentioned yet.... use the new Kodak Portra 400, you can push/pull that film at least two stops in either direction without needing a push/pull in development with some very pleasing results. Especally the 120 size. I've shot up to 1600 in 120 and 800 in 35mm. The colours become punchy and you get a great contrast.


Shot on a Rolleiflex 2.8F, Kodak Portra 400, exposed at ISO-1600, no push in development.

+1 for the Portra 400.

I would not be surprised to see Kodak dump Portra 800 for this.

 

[Axle]

What about color slides? Which one I can use in low light conditnions and how to use them properly. Really like to shoot indoor portrets.

You may still be able to find Fuji Provia 400x, I would not reccomend any push/pull on slide film.

 

[cramej]

Provia 400x can successfully be pushed to 1600. The results are a little contrasty, but much better than you would expect.

 

[Roger Cole]

I'm terms of real film speed as seen in shadow detail I think slide film pushes better. This was the commonly accepted wisdom at one time though that seems to have changed now. I always had good luck pushing slide film but I was doing my own E6 and got best results increasing development time a bit more than specified.

Provia 400 is a good film but already grainier and contrastier than 400 print films and both will increase with pushing.

 

[dugrant153]

I just had a chance to push the Portra 400 film to 800 and I'm actually quite pleased. This was in very low light so the images were less than stellar (probably my fault also) but wow... I"ll have to try them at 1600.