Too much Highlights Fomapan (400@200 1stop overexposed)

silvercloud2323

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Hi everyone,

Last week I shot a film (Fomapan 400) @ ISO200, which is 1 stop overexposure.
It was during the evening susnet.
Also did i put an Exposure compensation of -2 Stops.

Developed the fomapan 400@ 600 in Rodinal.

Was trying the basic rule" Overexpose film and underdevelop it"
But forgot to underdevelop it.

The photo below shows too much high highlights. Was that caused by overdeveloping it a half stop?
Also the exposure compensation of -2 stops. What effect it has on the picture? Does it create more highlights or darks in the photo in this case?
There's no contrast in the midtones .
I just try to interpret things and understand the photo.

Thx

 
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MattKing

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I see no real highlights on that image - certainly no blown out highlights.
I see shadows instead, which appear to be devoid of detail.
That says to me that you didn't give the film enough exposure.
 
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silvercloud2323

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MattKing said:
I see no real highlights on that image - certainly no blown out highlights.
I see shadows instead, which appear to be devoid of detail.
That says to me that you didn't give the film enough exposure.
Click to expand...

Hi Mattking,
I think the blacks are heavily black cause it was backlit by the sun, and so it ws difficult to expose. If i would have exposed it more , the highlights would be even higher.
Do you know how much i should have underdeveloped it to get highlights darker?
 

MattKing

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But you don't have any highlights in the image - at most you have midtones.
And speaking more generally, backlit subjects like that should generally be exposed for the background - we expect the foreground to be shadowed.
 

Chan Tran

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What were in the highlight? Cloud?? If you print it darker you would have the details if there is any in the original scene. It's the shadow details that are lost.
 

MattKing

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Here is an example of blown-out highlights - the sunlit area at the left.
This was exposed based on a meter reading taken of the foreground, adjusted to take into account the illumination of the under-side of the causeway bridge above. There was no good reason to reveal the detail in the bright highlight at the left, because the reason to include it at all was to give a sense of dimness in the centre.
You don't always need detail in the extremes of the scene.

One Troll's Trash ....MSA Mar/April 2018

Even those who live under bridges need a little comfort.
11d-2018-03-21-APUG
 

gone

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My experiences w/ Foma 400 and Rodinal were sub-optimal (the negs sucked). I always shoot that film at 200, it's a really good film, but not for Rodinal. This is what I get in F76 Plus. The EI was 200 and the development was normal. I can get photos that look as good as Tri-X w/ Foma 400, but it doesn't have that sort of exposure latitude. You have to be pretty close on the exposures.

 

cjbecker

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A back lit picture of the negative would help us.

But too me, it looks as if the camera exposed for the sky.
 

markjwyatt

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cjbecker said:
A back lit picture of the negative would help us.

But too me, it looks as if the camera exposed for the sky.
Click to expand...

I think that is why he applied the -2 stops of exposure compensation. He then overexposed 1 stop by derating a stop, but not under developing. This looks like more than 1 stop overexposed.
 

radiant

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lieven2323 said:
Last week I shot a film (Fomapan 400) @ ISO200, which is 1 stop overexposure.
Click to expand...

That is not 1 stop overexposure, rather more than a small underexposure. Foma 400 isn't ISO 400 film, more like 160-180 ISO. Also the film has nasty highlight behavior, so avoid high SBR scenes (that is, scene with high "contrast").

But that is a strange example as it doesn't have any blown up highlights.
 

markjwyatt

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Any chance you inadvertently compensated +2 stops while intending -2? +3 stops total would make sense here.
 

darkroommike

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If you rate a 400 speed film at 200 that is one stop over exposure. If you then set exposure compensation to -2 stops you new EI is 800. That is one stop underexposed, that is, IF you believe that Fomapan 400 is really a 400 speed film. There are no overblown highlights in your shot, I suspect your meter was "fooled" by the back lighting and underexposed your negative even more. That said, I like the shot, it low key and moody.
 

ic-racer

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The image posted is what that subject matter usually looks like on film. If you want details in the shadows you would need additional light source, reflectors, fill lighting, fill flash, etc.

Also -2 stop compensation of an ISO 400 meter reading is either exposure index 100 or 1600 depending on the meter or camera. There is no agreed standard.
 
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silvercloud2323

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Thanks darkroommike,
I'm really great full for your info. I'm glad I found out that if you set ISO higher or lower, and do on top of it an exposure compensation. they both operate the same thing; exposure. That might look evident to some ,but it wasn't for me. But I still ask my self why there are 2 operating buttons (ISO reset and exposure compensation.) if they do operate the same thing; exposure. What to use the one and what to use the other one for.


Thx for your appreciation. First i made the image below by accident ,which is even better to me. But the negative was too thin to print it decently.
So i tried to made the same photo , but with non success to me.

 

darkroommike

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If you have a roll of film that you want to expose at factory ISO or your own EI, you set the ISO knob just the once. Then use the exposure compensation button for those tricky shots within that roll.
 

Huss

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As others have mentioned Foma 400 is really a 200 film. When I shot it at 400 it came out looking 1 stop underexposed.
So if you started at 200, you were not even overexposing! And then you still have to deal with how you meter for the scene. Where the emphasis is etc.
 
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