Which Print Film for Tropics?

[ktmrider]

OK, this may be in the wrong forum but I will ask anyway. My daughter and I will be spending the month of June in Guatemala and Central America for Spanish school. I would like to keep the kit as simple as possible so a M with 35/90. I would also like to take only one film. Now I used to shoot a lot of slides but this trip am thinking color print film for future scanning. Knowing the intense colors and light of the tropics, is there one color print film that will do it all? If not, can anyone suggest two films (one slow and one fast) which would work?

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Fuji Reala 100 is a good all purpose film. It's widely available and fairly cheap too.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I am from Guatemala.

When it comes to the "tropics" there... I fear you'll be disappointed. If you're going to a Spanish language school, you're probably go to Antigua or Quetzaltenango. Neither place is "tropical" by all means... They are very confortable, though, with temperatures ranging from the low to high 70s F.

As for film... I've never been back there to photograph, but if I wanted to take some C-41 stuff, I'd pick Fuji Superia 400. That'll cover you for both, low light and outdoors (at times, skies may not be as bright as you expect). If you insist on a slow film, take Superia ISO 100. Have fun, and DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH CHILDREN AT ANY TIME UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PARENT'S PERMISSION.

 

[payasam]

Unlike 30 and 40 years ago, film now stands up well to heat and humidity. Since you'll be scanning C-41 negatives, you can do pretty much what you please in a photo editor. I use Fujicolor 100 and, somewhat less, Fujicolor 400. Occasionally I use Kodacolor as well. Inexpensive and quite satisfactory. It is generally good practice to have film processed soon after exposure, though this too is not as important as it once was.

[edit] Why the precautions over kids' photos, Francisco? Evil Eye or something like that?

 

[capitalK]

Is the jury back on Ektar 100 yet?

 

[Phantomas]

Have fun, and DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH CHILDREN AT ANY TIME UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PARENT'S PERMISSION.

I'm curious about this statement. I'm aware of the reasoning behind cautious approach to child photography in the West (well, to be blunt - pedophilia scare); is this the same reasoning for caution in Guatemala, or are there other cultural/social reasons?


edit: I personally found Ektar 100 to be more suitable in "subdued' environment - that is not too much color, brightness. In bright conditions the saturation of Ektar can be overkill, I found it a lot more acceptable in more "subdued" environment (evening light, etc). But that's just me and my crappy scanner.

 

[capitalK]

I would say if you are comfortable with a certain slide film and know it backwards and forwards I wouldn't try something new during a month long trip. If you're worried about ease of scanning ask for them unmounted from the lab and put them in PrintFile sleeves.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Sorry I couldn't explain my previous statement (I was being called for litter-box cleaning duty).

A few years ago, there was an urban legend in Guatemala about foreigners coming to adopt Guatemalan kids to harvest organs. It was never proved, but people, especially in small towns, became extremely guarded and even hostile to tourists (anyone whose skin tone is fairer, or has lighter hair color and speaks with a slight accent). Sometime around the mid-nineties, a well-meaning lady from some European country was lynched because she wanted to photograph kids in the Western highlands.

I've been told that when you see Indian women weaving at their machines, they will get extremely upset if you photograph them. In the past, they couldn't do much other than cursing, but now that they know about digital cameras, they may ask you to delete the photograph, or to pay them a certain amount. Apparently, they became aware that their photographs were being used for commercial purposes, and, in any case, they don't like being viewed as folklore art.

Should you want to photograph anyone, make sure to ask first.

And don't be surprised if you're asked to photograph people too. I was asked to photograph two policemen in Nicaragua; also in Costa Rica, a pretty looking girl asked me to take her picture. In Guatemala, I've seen kids ask people to take their photograph. So, it varies, but to be on the safe side, try not to sneak photos of anyone.

Again, my information may be old (I haven't been there since 2001, and that was a very short trip), but I'm reporting things I've been told about by family members who live there.

Of course, as in any other country, follow the locals' advice. If they recommend you to avoid a spot, do it. Apparently, petty crime has been on the rise for a while, and some bad guys target tourists. Just be aware of your surroundings and keep your gear with you at all times, especially in high-traffic areas.

On the nice side, you'll enjoy some impressive hospitality at a language school. All the people who have gone to some, have come back with glowing praise of their host families. The Spanish spoken outside the capital city is very, very clear, and apart from a tendency to use a rare form of the second person singular (for close friends only), it's a very good model that will help you understand other varieties of Spanish in the Latin American continent.

Take care and enjoy the food too! It's not hot, unless you want it so, and for these cases, all hot ingredients are added AFTER cooking. Be prepared for a lot of black beans! 🙂

 

[Phantomas]

Thanks for your insight, I enjoyed reading that. I'm always curious to know how photographers/photography is perceived on the streets in different countries, what fits in and what would make one stand out (besides photographing obvious landmarks at highly touristy locations, that is).
I tend to be more "brave" about photographing on the streets when I travel than back at home, but that's changing as I learn more about what makes me comfortable with shooting on the street and especially people on the street.

PS: Damn, this thread make me wanna travel to central America 🙁

 

[35mmdelux]

I would take the standard Portra 160NC. If you spend time in the rainforest, which I doubt given what you wrote, I would suggest Portra 400NC due to serious light falloff because of the rainforest canopy.

Use caution, no ostentaious display, enjoy.