Shooting MF BW of red rock landscapes

S

stevierose

Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Hello-I’m going to be staying at a place in the red rock area near St. George, Utah in October. It is also not far from Zion and Bryce National parks. During past visits to this area I have shot in color, mainly digital. The colors in the area certainly are striking. This time I think I want to bring a MF camera and shoot BW film. Any suggestions for the best way to capture this area in BW—choice of film, filters, etc.? I develop my own film and use a hybrid workflow. Thanks,
 
I'm far from an expert and haven't been there, but I think for pictures of the rocks without much context I'd use high contrast film. Could a yellow or green filter work to darken the darker stripes in the rocks even more (i.e. are the darker parts of the rock redder)? If you're after pictures that include sky and shadow areas, I'd aim for full range negatives though, maybe with some filter to darken the sky a bit (yellow, orange might be too much as the rocks are reddish?). Actually I'd probably test the filtration on a digital camera.
 
Steve,


I'd use either Tmax 100 or Ilford FP-4. Shot both of those a lot when I lived in New Mexico, and they gave gorgeous tonality and incredible detail in the southwestern light and landscape.


lamy-depot1.jpg



This was shot on FP4 developed in D-76 1+1. It is the Amtrak train station in Lamy, New Mexico. I used a Mamiya 645. Can't remember the lens; it was probably the 55mm f2.8N Mamiya lens.
 
Thanks Chris--Any suggestions for use of filters when shooting the red rock areas and sky? I was thinking a yellow or orange filter might be good.

Steve
 
I'd suggest a Red and Orange filter.

I know I used a Red filter when I was on lower antelope valley here with the red and red-orange sandstone.

22393101484_9fe5741b9c_c.jpg


and the orange when I was in Sedoma

22076843963_928176f2c9_c.jpg
 
stevierose said:
Thanks Chris--Any suggestions for use of filters when shooting the red rock areas and sky? I was thinking a yellow or orange filter might be good.

Steve
Click to expand...




I don't know. I never use filters; never have aside from some experimenting as a student 20 yrs ago. I've found that they distort tonality too much for my liking. The problem is, they effect the whole image, not just the part you want to affect. So, you want to darken a blue sky and use a red filter; that works, but it also lightens any red objects (including things you don't think are red, like some browns, which are really low-saturation reds, oranges, and yellows). I never like the effect.

If I were to guess, I'd say a red or orange filter used on a scene of all reddish rocks will reduce contrast within the reds, but if there is harsh sun it will also darken shadows too much. I might be wrong, though. I am not that experienced with using colored filters for B&W.

My suggestion is to shoot each picture with no filter, then with each colored filter in turn. If you're shooting medium format, I assume you'll use a tripod, so this will be easy to do. Be sure to compensate for the filter factors! Then you can see the effects and choose the best renderings at home later, and you'll have learned what works and what doesn't.
 
You mentioned that you have been to the area previously and you have color digital files. Take those digital files of red rock areas and convert them to B&W in a digital editing program similar to Lightroom or Photoshop. Use the color sliders to adjust the B&W tones to your taste. Note which slider gives the effect that you are seeking. That should give you an indication of what filter to use.

I've been to those areas you mention, years ago with a view camera. After viewing the film back home, the main issue for me was too much of one tone... all the red rock was a similar gray tone, and no filter can fix that. I guess I'd suggest trying to add dissimilar tones into the shots, perhaps from water, trees, sky, clouds, etc.

Have fun on your trip.
 
Thanks Chris. That is exactly what I had decided to do before you wrote back.

Steve

Chriscrawfordphoto said:
My suggestion is to shoot each picture with no filter, then with each colored filter in turn. If you're shooting medium format, I assume you'll use a tripod, so this will be easy to do. Be sure to compensate for the filter factors! Then you can see the effects and choose the best renderings at home later, and you'll have learned what works and what doesn't.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all who replied! I really appreciate it. I think the idea of taking one of my previous color digital images and adjusting the BW conversions slides in PS is ingenious.
 
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IThe use of digital files the best, cnverting color to BW.
Then use various filters and decide.
Worst part is "exposure factor".
Some filters are very dark, meter systems are inaccurate!
You need to know "Wratten number" and see on Google, actual exposure reqd.
I do use filters, occassionaly, but it is tedious.
Filter,plus polarizer and tripods are in!
Do some tests prior..
Best advice, Don't use them.
 
[FONT=&quot]Stevie,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] I hope you enjoy your trip...[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I live in Southern Utah, and I also shoot B&W film with hybrid and wet, as well as digital. I will echo the advice of several here, in that the red rock does get a little muddy and loses its punch in monochrome. That said, there are areas where texture and shape create the appeal. Many stunning monochrome images have come out of Antelope Canyon, Bryce, and other area attractions. A yellow filter helps darken the sky, but I would only recommend this if there are white, fluffy clouds for visual interest and contrast. Otherwise, the sky ends up with the same tonality as the rocks, and that loses even more punch. I look back on local shots on all types of film over the years and the medium format chromes (E6) have the most visual impact. The best monochrome shots were taken in otherwise unfavorable weather, had dramatic clouds and benefited from higher contrast either in developing or post-processing. Also, by mid-October the leaves will be changing in Zion. This will add some yellow to the reds, greens and blues. It probably sounds like I'm trying to talk you out of B&W film but I'm not... It could provide some interesting variety to the images that come out of a trip to "Color Country". By all means bring both and keep one eye open for the shots that beg for silver.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Safe Journey!
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Brian
[/FONT]
 
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