Exposure question - Ray K Metzker

[v_roma]

All,

I was hoping to get some input in terms of achieving the effect demonstrated in the photo below. I am able to do this more or less successfully with digital by underexposing not just in relation to the shadows but underexposing slightly for the highlights as well, and then increasing contrast and blacks in post-processing.

I would like to try to do this with film as well and, though I understand I will need to do some experimenting to get it right, I would appreciate some input to get me going in the right direction. Is it as simple as doing the same thing I am doing with digital? I should note that I have control over the exposure (obviously) and scanning, but not processing, which I do not do myself.

(photo from http://www.laurencemillergallery.com/artist_metzker.htm)

Thank you in advance!

 

[Ranchu]

It's been a long time since I've shot black and white, maybe someone can chime in, but imo yes it's just the same. Not much of a picture but this is color negative.

 

[v_roma]

Thank you for responding, Ranchu. I guess it makes sense that you would expose it the same way. I know his photos of this sort were also printed on high contrast paper, and I suppose some of it may be in the development as well.

 

[Denton]

Spotmeter or incident?

Spotmeter or incident?

Use spotmeter on white robe, then open up one or two stops but no more for detail in the white. Or just measure incident light. I'd probably add -1 eV exposure compensation with incident just to be sure to capture detail in highlights.
Denton

 

[gsgary]

I have just acquired 100' of Kodak Ortho, this film has that sort of effect
this was my first play with it

 

[v_roma]

Thank you for your response as well, Denton. gsgary, that is a really cool photo. might have to look into ortho at some point...

 

[robbeiflex]

Also think about pushing your film a couple of stops. It reduces shadow detail.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[kbg32]

Expose for the highlights and your black will go deep.

 

[gsgary]

Thank you for your response as well, Denton. gsgary, that is a really cool photo. might have to look into ortho at some point...

It's a very slow film iso6-12 but in very bright light it should be fun shooting portraits wide open looking at Flickr group it seems to give a pop art kind of look where the skin turns white http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=kodalith ortho