Shutterbug Strasse

Posted by Joe M (A) on June 11, 2003 at 08:18:56

In Reply to: NC, why? posted by Dominic on June 11, 2003 at 00:40:31:

brightness range based on your subject. It is generally accepted that ideal outdoor shooting times are early morn and late afternoon. As that is when the Sun's rays are slanted on the Earth's surface.

Most Kodak & Fuji films are the contrasty (General use) type, ideal for shooting in Low contrast scenes, such as cloudy days or early morn well before high noon. In full Sun with no clouds, a higher contrast film ,in that high a contrast daylight. Would create dark eye sockets and under chins and very dark black shadows on your subject.

So finding a low or no contrast film is used in those situations . Also when I shoot Weddings I will use Kodak Portra 400 NC for the contrast created by my Flash unit and a Bride in white and Groom in Black. That same film comes in 400 VC stands for very contrasty. If needed, same grainless quality.

I love the slide film Fuji Velvia because of it's very high contrast range when used in very low scene brightness shoots. Like waterfalls or on tree covered nature hikes. It really punches up the color. It would not be very usefull out in full sun ! Unless one was to use a polarizing filter...... Contrasty film plus contrasty day = way too much contrast to capture on a print.

A photoghrapher must know how his film's will react under what conditions. Before it gets loaded into your camera, or be prepared to make allowances. Such as to use fil flash outdoors with high contrast films. To eliminate (illuminate) dark shadows under the eyes.

I tried to be clear with that answer. Check a Kodak film guide book for their film ratings.