Pentax 6x7 Challenging Photos

[dazedgonebye]

There is a variety of night blooming cactus you see here sometimes. I've never seen them in the desert, so I'm sure they're imported. In any case, a neighbor has them in her front yard.
The flowers bloom overnight then fade by evening. I need to shoot them in the morning light, but I haven't had a chance. These were shot at 2PM...pretty much the worst possible time. Brilliant Arizona sun blasting away at the white flowers with dark green cacti as a background. A dynamic range challenge even for black and white film.

Would it make sense to add a green filter to lighten the cacti so I could expose for the flowers?

Ilford FP4 (125 iso) in Barry's two bath developer.

 

[planetjoe]

A green filter might give interesting results. But I have to say that the second image is really quite good as-is, IMO.

Love what FP4 can do.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[rogue_designer]

Agreed. I think the film held it. You can either bring back the white/white details in careful scanning, or in the darkroom. But it looks to me like it's there.

I don't think a green filter is the answer, though it may be interesting. I love starkness of the contrasts here - its what makes the image work for me. You could always have someone hold a sheet of foamcore, or a scrim up to shade the cactus while you shot. Or get it in the light you want.

but I like it.

 

[williams473]

Agreed - it doesn't need a thing technically - you have a nice range from the shadows between the cactus to the highlights of the flowers being right on the edge, but not blown out. I wouldn't want to flatten the contrast any more than this by using a green filter, but it's your photograph 🙂

 

[dazedgonebye]

Thanks guys.

It took a fair amount of photoshop to keep those whites in. I'm hoping to get it on film better next time.
On the other hand, perhaps I should scan the negatives twice. Once for the flowers and once for the cacti. I can always add contrast.