Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
Keep in mind that NG photogs routinely shoot roughly 300 rolls on a single assignment, and you will quickly realize that good photos are a very small percentage of shots taken 🙂
Good photo with a RF camera
- Thread starter rolleistef
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Richard Black
Guest
I concur with those who spoke of the equipment as merely a tool. I look about my office and I have 120/35/digital prints displayed, and my co-workers find them interesting and pleasing. I'm not boasting about my capabilities, just pointing out that the veiwers don't care how I captures the images. I use all sorts, medium format tlrs/slr/rfs, 35mm slrs/rfs/p&s, and digitial, and the secret to them seems to be professional printing. I like digital capture because I can review the work later on a large screen and discard it without regard to cost. For serious work I return to film.
3js
Established
I think that we often forget the fact that the good photos are not taken, they are given. You just have to be ready when the time comes.
rolleistef
Well-known
3js, your way of thinking is absolutely great. Yes it's true. They are given. Yesterday I was photographying in the tube (strictly forbidden, don't telle anyone) and two persons noticed I was about to shoot them. Knowing that their end was close, they both smiled and said hello with the hands. Here's the result. (sorry scanned neg, not printed)
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Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
rolleistef said:
Hi Stéphane,
It's only a problem of setting (diaph or speed). I don't see any reason to be "over" disappointed. It's a pity for it ruins a good photo, but it just happens.
At least, we know where you took it (ligne 6, métro Dupleix) 🙂
A+,
Marc-A.
JonathanA
Member
I deffinetly think the best way to overcome a dry day is to sit back and look at some of your favorite photographers photographs. I know when I have an off day I just go look at one of the HCB or Winogrand books and it re-inspires me.
P C Headland
Well-known
The percentage of keepers is directly proportional to the size of the film 😉 I get a much higher satisfaction count when using one of my 6x6 RFs than with 35mm.
oscroft
Veteran
Well focused out of 36? Usually 36, or very close.
Well exposed? Probably 24 to 36.
Aesthetically pleasing? I'm happy if I get one.
Well exposed? Probably 24 to 36.
Aesthetically pleasing? I'm happy if I get one.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
rolleistef said:
I hope you don't mind Rolleistef - I tweaked your image a bit (cleaned up a bit of dust, straightened to the frame edge, and bumped the contrast and sharpness a bit). It looks like a great moment - and may print very well. I like it.
My edited version is attached.
As for my percentage of keepers varies widely depending on subject, light, format I'm shooting etc... But for 35mm wandering the city photos, I consider myself very lucky if I get 20 usable images a roll of 36, 10 of those will be roughly as I intended, and one keeper out of those 10.
Heartening to hear others with similar experiences.
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FrankS
Registered User
I read somewhere sometime ago, that one should expect 1 good/great image per 80 square inches of film. That's 1 in 36 with 135 film, 1 in 12 with 120 film, 1 in 2 with 4x5 film, and 1 for 1 with 8x10 film. But it all really depends how and what you shoot. With my RF cameras I get from 1to 5 images I'm very happy with per roll of personal photography. When I shot weddings with 135 and 120 film, out of 300 shots, there may be 5 with technical issues (flash didn't fire, etc.) and 10 where people blinked.
RicardoD
Well-known
FrankS,
Your theory explains why I am loving the 6x6 format at the moment. I am getting at least 1 great shot per 120 roll. A big part of it is that I really have to slow down, use my gossen luna pro, and then the ground glass really forces to take note of the composition.
There is nothing stopping me from doing the same thing with a rangefinder but somehow its working better for me with my Rolleiflex at the moment.
Your theory explains why I am loving the 6x6 format at the moment. I am getting at least 1 great shot per 120 roll. A big part of it is that I really have to slow down, use my gossen luna pro, and then the ground glass really forces to take note of the composition.
There is nothing stopping me from doing the same thing with a rangefinder but somehow its working better for me with my Rolleiflex at the moment.
trph_2000
Established
ErnestoJL
Well-known
I thought allways that the eye and brain of the photogrpher are the elements which make the decisive moment.
The moment also may exist or not but if exists, it´s the photographer´s ability and mood what makes it, nothing else.
My personal experience is varied: 0 out of 36 and up to 10 out of 36 negs.
The average is far lower, and I´m really happy getting one out of 36 that really pleases me.
Ernesto
The moment also may exist or not but if exists, it´s the photographer´s ability and mood what makes it, nothing else.
My personal experience is varied: 0 out of 36 and up to 10 out of 36 negs.
The average is far lower, and I´m really happy getting one out of 36 that really pleases me.
Ernesto
trph_2000
Established
This format makes it appear too dark, but otherwise it is my most
satisfying effort.
satisfying effort.
arbib
Well-known
Hmmm
I load a roll in my camera, tyipicly a 24x. And since I work on a route that changes each day, I take my camera with one or two lens's. I have nothing in mind each day. (In Photography idea's 😀 ). If I see a photo, and I can stop or pull over, great. If not...I let it go.
I may take 2 photo's one day, and none for a few days. When the Weekend hits is when I try capture any themes I have, or return to previous spot I saw a few days earlyer.
It may take two weeks to shoot a 24x, but I may get 3-5 REAL Keepers, and a few I may be able Edit in PSP 10 to make it a keeper.
But when I go out for a day a capture what ever I want, maybe 2-3 keepers per roll, or none ! I increase my odds by not shooting during the week unless I "See" a shoot. But that's OK,(that I don't expose a lot of frames), because I am in a mind set to "look" for interesting photo ops.
I load a roll in my camera, tyipicly a 24x. And since I work on a route that changes each day, I take my camera with one or two lens's. I have nothing in mind each day. (In Photography idea's 😀 ). If I see a photo, and I can stop or pull over, great. If not...I let it go.
I may take 2 photo's one day, and none for a few days. When the Weekend hits is when I try capture any themes I have, or return to previous spot I saw a few days earlyer.
It may take two weeks to shoot a 24x, but I may get 3-5 REAL Keepers, and a few I may be able Edit in PSP 10 to make it a keeper.
But when I go out for a day a capture what ever I want, maybe 2-3 keepers per roll, or none ! I increase my odds by not shooting during the week unless I "See" a shoot. But that's OK,(that I don't expose a lot of frames), because I am in a mind set to "look" for interesting photo ops.
Wayne R. Scott
Half fast Leica User
I have a some what cynical outlook on the number of keepers per roll. This is based on developing tens of thousands of photos from other peoples rolls of film. Based on my jaded observation, I would say that 99.9% of all 35mm, 110, APS and disc photos are crap. If you are getting 1 to 5 keepers per roll you are in the top 0.1% of all photographers.
I wish I could say that I was in the top 0.1% of photographers, but alas I am not. I do find the % of my keeper shots increases with the size of the negative area. I wish I was 1 for 1 with 8x10, it would be a lot cheaper🙂
Wayne
I wish I could say that I was in the top 0.1% of photographers, but alas I am not. I do find the % of my keeper shots increases with the size of the negative area. I wish I was 1 for 1 with 8x10, it would be a lot cheaper🙂
Wayne
peter_n
Veteran
Nice one! I love her expression. 🙂trph_2000 said:
FrankS
Registered User
What we ought to do is scan and post a page of sleeved negatives of a roll of film, and then present the "keeper(s)".
arbib
Well-known
Wayne R. Scott said:
That may true for "Snap shooters" "Soccer Moms or Dads" or just kids snapping away for no apparent reason.....But for amateur or Pro shooters who have a better understanding of Composition and light vs dark....I believe the numbers CAN be higher for keepers. Just look at the galleries here at RFF. I see great keepers, But I don't think a Photographer here (That has developed a style) needs to shoot 72 frames to have 3 keepers.
I think a thoughtful photographer, paying attention to what he/she is photographing, can have a 10% keepers per roll. Why Not...It takes work, and training your eye.. I am still learning this too.
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Wayne R. Scott
Half fast Leica User
arbib said:
So, if we say there are 7000 or so RFF members and divide that number by just the population of the USA of say 300,000,000 we have about .002% of people that are good photographers.
I do agree that with some thought and effort a photographer can get a number of good photos per roll. If I were doing a portrait session I would expect to get 100% properly exposed photos. If I happen to capture 1 to 2 good expressions on the roll I consider the session a success.
If I am shooting street shots (this is something I am not good at) I would be happy with one good photo in 3 rolls.
Wayne
