Trying to Recreate Vietnam War B/W

Slick60

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Hello. I’m new to the forum but have been a “long time lurker” for a while and done a lot of reading. Lots of great information on the forum. I shoot B/W, have my own darkroom with a Vivitar VI enlarger, and own several cameras including a Nikonos II, Canon AE-1, and a Mamiya M645. I shoot 120 most of the time.

I was inspired by the raw and dramatic photos by David Duncan Douglas and Henri Huet from the Vietnam War and would like to try to recreate some in the future. I inherited a large portion of Vietnam era military uniforms and gear (did my reading as a kid so I remember them from the books) and I’m trying to create accurate photos from the time period, just to display in my darkroom and albums.

I’m thinking of using some 35mm Tri-X, as well as a red and green filter. Im also trying to use period-accurate developers, so maybe some HC-110 or D-76? If you have any suggestions for film stock or developer or if you were a combat photographer or served feel free to add on.

Thanks,

Slick60
 

dynachrome

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I started using Tri-X nearly fifty years ago. The Tri-X we have today is a much better film. You might get closer to the old look with Ilford HP5+. The HC110 we have today is also different. For your purposes, D-76 or Ilford ID-11, used 1:1 should be a good starting point.
 

jimjm

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I'd agree with the use of HP5+ in D-76 1:1. Tri-X has changed over the years, but you may want to try pushing it to see if you like the look.
Pick up a plain-prism Nikon F body with a few pre-AI prime lenses and that'll take you right back to 1967. Sling a few of those around your neck along with a Leica M2 or M3 for good measure.
 

spark

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DK-50 was a popular developer, it even had it's own military part number (MIL-D-4824D Type II)
A lot of military photos were taken with Speed Graphic sheet film camera- both 4x5 and 3.25 x 2.25 sizes
 

Mr Flibble

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The Konica Auto-S2 and the Olympus PEN-EE2 were also popular with the US GIs at the time. Buying them from the Army PX or during their stop-over in Japan.
I bought a KAS2 at some point when I thought about getting into the Vietnam re-enactment/living history a decade ago. Still have a complete M1956 webbing set somewhere.
 

Dennis-B

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You may want to try pushing Tri-X a stop or two. Pushing it brings up the grain. For the reality, a Nikon F, using pre-AI lenses would help. A wide-open 50mm f/1.4 would give shallow D-O-F, and shooting @ f/2.8 or f/4 would also add to the view.

There are also the Canon and Nikon RF's, which were heavily used.

If you use a "mini" Speed Graphic, you can try using a single- or non-coated lens. You may also want to try orthochromatic film.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Keep the napalm locked up.
 

AgX

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I wonder if you thought about your wording when writing "recreate" in your headline.
 

Paul Howell

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American involvement in Vietnam started with advisors in the 50s, then combat troops in the 60s which escalated in 64 and ended with the final withdrawal in 73, The U.S forces started with 4X5 and 21/4 X 3 /14 sheet film press cameras the Army used Combat Graphics left over from WWII and Korea which used 70mm roll film. As cameras and film improved like in the press TLR and 35mm become the standard, by the end of the war in 73 the Leica M3 and Nikon F were standard in the Air Froce, Army and Marines while Navy used Topcon Super Ds and Canon F1. Robert Capa was killed in what was then French Indochina he used 35mm rangefinder, at the time either a Context Leica. The European press tended towards Context and Leica rangefinders and SLR, some freelances used what ever they could afford including Spotmatics, Petries, those who worked for the wire services were issued Leica and Nikon Fs. Typical lens set was a 50, 28 or 35 and 100 or 105, some used a 135, a few a 180 or 200. In those days the saying attributed to Robert Capa was if your pictures are not good enough your not close enough was the rule and most shot the majiority of there worked with a 50mm. TriX was king, shot at box speed and developed in D76 stock. DK 50 was used with LF but not so much with 35mm.

The closest 70s vintage Trix is likely Foma 400, shoot at 320 or so, overdevelop a bit in D76 or a clone, and print hard, in those days photographs needed to high contrast to sent over the wire.
 
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pentaxuser

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dynachrome said:
I started using Tri-X nearly fifty years ago. The Tri-X we have today is a much better film. You might get closer to the old look with Ilford HP5+.
Click to expand...

Sounds like we are lucky to have HP5+ as it hasn't improved like Tri-X and more nearly resembles film of nearly 50 years ago

You will see other examples of our European black humour below. You will have to forgive us

I cannot help except to sound negative by saying that the secret of re-creation may lie in trying to re-create in those viewing your prints the same emotions as they recall having when looking at pictures by the likes of your two named photogs and the likes of Larry Burrows and Don McCullin. I can recall the Vietnam war and find pictures of this or any war harrowing but a worthwhile record but I don't think that the film or the paper of the era has much to do with the impact

pentaxuser
 

Paul Howell

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I forgot to add that your Canon AE 1 with 3 prime lens is best match for a early 70s 35mm SLR SLR, But, what are are you planning on shooting that will have the same impact and feel as combat?
 
OP
OP

Slick60

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Thank you all for your responses. I never expected to get this much assistance.

I should’ve worded the title a bit better, no offence intended. I myself am very anti-war, but I have always been fascinated by photographs taken by CPs in war zones.

I don’t have any idea what combat is like, but I do have friends who have previously served and might be willing to model. I know that there’s a few living history groups in the UK who use period correct cameras and have created images that fooled even the best “experts”. I have no intent in sharing or selling the prints, I just want to hang them on my wall.

I have used Foma 100 pushed to 400 several times in 120 format and I like the feel of it. From what I understand it’s a very “primitive” film stock that hasn’t changed much since introduced. I have a few rolls of it in 35mm as well.

Dickey Chapelle used a Nikonos, but the majority of CPs used Nikon Fs or Leicas. I’d be willing to try some photos with the film stocks with each, I do have access to Nikon Fs and Leica through friends of mine.

Spotmatics can be found pretty cheap in my area, so I could pick up one of those and some M42 lenses to give it a try as well.

Thanks,

Slick60
 

koraks

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In terms of materials, I think that's a promising avenue. Perhaps even fomapan 400 for more pronounced grain and s-curve.

I agree with the thought expressed before: technique is one thing, and not the most important aspect. Concept, setting, props, framing and composition will be more important imo.
 

MattKing

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Slick60 said:
I should’ve worded the title a bit better, no offence intended.
Click to expand...
You could ask the moderators to change your thread title to: "Trying to recreate the look and feel of Vietnam War B/W"
Simply Report your own post, and include your request in the "Report"
 

pentaxuser

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I wish the OP luck with re-creating the famous picture of the "thousand yard stare" in any one now who was never subject the conditions that brought about said stare

pentaxuser
 
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