Why Shoot Color Positives?

[not_in_good_order]

Amazing colour! I didn't think slide film had so much latitude!...amazing! & your right digital can't touch this!

I often think that the the limitations of slide film when it comes to latitude or dynamic range are a bit overstated. Certainly, color negative film can capture more highlight and shadow detail simultaneously, but I think slide film often does a pretty good job in contrasty lighting situations:

 

[mooge]

why? to project, of course! real slideshows (like with a projector!) are alot of fun.

I shot some Elitechrome over in Thailand on vacation. that film is scary good.

cheers.

 

[imokruok]

I don't shoot slides very often but one of my favorite photographic experiences is looking at slides on a light table. Especially medium format. Never had the opportunity to look at large format slides that way but I'm sure it's just as awesome.

That's why I like it too. I'll shoot T64 or Velvia, develop at home, and have them on the light table within 4 or 5 hours after air drying. And man...they are gorgeous. I have not yet tired of pulling an archival page out of the binder, putting it up to the window or light table, and just taking a look.

That said, I have only shot a little bit of Ektar, but you can tell on the light table that the colors are going to be great as well. I took a pic of a very red flower the other day, and the green of the negative just about jumped off of the table.

 

[degruyl]

I find that positives scan much more easily than negatives. I never have problems with colour casts or balance.

That is my reason. In a nutshell.

Problems with scanning various C-41 film caused me to switch to E-6. I am not unhappy.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

I shoot slides because of the joy of watching them on the wall with fabolous colors and details that I cant get from any other media...

however scanning slides do not usually give good results so I rarely use now...

 

[jpa66]

I often think that the the limitations of slide film when it comes to latitude or dynamic range are a bit overstated. Certainly, color negative film can capture more highlight and shadow detail simultaneously, but I think slide film often does a pretty good job in contrasty lighting situations:

What specific film did you use for each of the shots? The colors look varied enough that they seem to each come from different film.

And the shot of The Strip brings back memories of when I lived in Pittsburgh and would stop down there on a weekly basis - that street in your shot was the one that I usually found a parking spot on!

 

[not_in_good_order]

What specific film did you use for each of the shots? The colors look varied enough that they seem to each come from different film.

And the shot of The Strip brings back memories of when I lived in Pittsburgh and would stop down there on a weekly basis - that street in your shot was the one that I usually found a parking spot on!

The first shot is Provia 100F, the second is Elite Chrome 100, and the third is Elite Chrome 200.

 

[Renzsu]

I've only been shooting film for little over a year (although I've been shooting it exclusively), so I may not know some things.. but after shooting b/w only for a season, it became apparent that color negative film was just a bit of a pain to color correct. I've only shot with E100G for one roll, so I can't tell whether it will be my film of choice for the future, but I've never had such good results from shooting slide film before. Fuji always gave me some weird color cast, usually too blue or purple. E100G was just right. I'm probably just not used enough to shooting slide film, but I've found the Kodak film more forgiving than Velvia or Provia.

(Kodak E100G, Epson V700 scan, post processed in PS.. I don't think I could've gotten this result with color negatives)

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

It's much easier to edit slides without having to scan them all. Also, films like Provia give very accurate color. Recently I shot an engagement on digital, Provia, and Portra. I depended on the Provia to give me the most accurate colors, and adjusted the other two media to match.

If calibrating a meter or just bracketing, it's much easier to compare bracketed frames on a light table without having to scan, which may not reflect absolute exposure as accurately.

 

[Trius]

Why shoot colour positives? Cuz they're soooooo purty...

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

guys I dont have a proper scanner so I can play with the settings. When I have my slides scanned at the photoshop it always comes with purple cast as in some of the shots above and the darks or blacks are also pixelated.

 

[Joshua]

I've only been shooting film for little over a year (although I've been shooting it exclusively), so I may not know some things.. but after shooting b/w only for a season, it became apparent that color negative film was just a bit of a pain to color correct. I've only shot with E100G for one roll, so I can't tell whether it will be my film of choice for the future, but I've never had such good results from shooting slide film before. Fuji always gave me some weird color cast, usually too blue or purple. E100G was just right. I'm probably just not used enough to shooting slide film, but I've found the Kodak film more forgiving than Velvia or Provia.

(Kodak E100G, Epson V700 scan, post processed in PS.. I don't think I could've gotten this result with color negatives)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4560822005_b20b2a595f_b.jpg

This is a gorgeous shot.

2 questions:

1. What lens is this? I love the focal length. A 50?

2. What is your developing process? Do you send it off to a lab?

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Why Shoot Color Positives?

Because there's no better media for light table image showing?
Because there's no better way for projecting images?
Because there's no better print than a cibachrome?
Because there's no better way a photographer can check how he/she/the camera exposes?

Cheers,

Juan

 

[imokruok]

Fuji always gave me some weird color cast, usually too blue or purple. E100G was just right. I'm probably just not used enough to shooting slide film, but I've found the Kodak film more forgiving than Velvia or Provia.

This is wonderful - thanks. I have certainly fallen into the trap of thinking Kodak=negatives and Fuji=slides, but this E100G may make me think again.

You're right about the Fuji, though. It gives wicked colors, but unfortunately they render people all wrong. Great for landscapes and things, and if you want a deep blue, red, or orange to drip right off of the print. But it makes people look like they have bad tans, or they're half-Muppet or something.

 

[bwcolor]

What is wrong with Astia's rendering of people? I have lots of Astia in my freezer and was toying with the idea of buying an E6 kit and thus the thread. I always loved Astia's rendering of skin tones, when shot under the right color temperature. I have no memory of any other positive materials, other than the Kodachromes...still have one roll of Kodachrome 25 in my freezer. I think that it dates back to the days when politicians were honest...long time ago.

I have been impressed with those posting photos and hope that this continues. For many of us, seeing what you do with the media...whatever media is being discussed... is like getting ready for your first date. It really brings a new sense of fun and discovery.

Please more images and share your enthusiasm.. 100G looks like it is worth a go of it...so to speak.

 

[thrice]

Sensia (poor man's astia) does people just fine as well:

 

[kzphoto]

My friends, you haven't lived until you've shot some large format chromes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xbleh/sets/72157623291539294/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xbleh/sets/72157623082520689/

Scans from an Epson 4990. They look alright, but I'm more accustomed to C-41 so they don't look as great as they could. That being said, if you're trying to 'wow' a client, nothing works quite as well as some 4x5 transparencies. I'm itching to shoot some E100G again after seeing Renzsu's portrait. Wonderful work!

 

[Cron]

why slides? Because it is fascinating when photos are projected to a size of 2m lenght even with 35mm!
And they are easier to scan (for me)

 

[Renzsu]

This is a gorgeous shot.

2 questions:

1. What lens is this? I love the focal length. A 50?

2. What is your developing process? Do you send it off to a lab?

Thank you! Yup, the lens is a 50mm Lux ASPH, but I guess this shot doesn't really require a lens like this, but I like how the slide film has some natural softness to it when I scan it on my V700, it kind of evens out the biting sharpness of the 50 ASPH.

I usually bring my film to the local photo store, it will take a couple of days before I have my film back 🙂 There's also a lab on my way to the office, kind of expensive but then I get back anything I drop off in a matter of hours.

Oh and I never tried Astia, but I've shot a few rolls of Sensia 200, it seems to be a nice film as well.. (taken with the Nokton 35mm f/1.2)

 

[David_Manning]

Renzsu, the shots STILL look great!