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Monday, October 5, 2009

The analogue experiment

(a gratuitous photo of a flower, taken with a P&S)

I can't share my first analogue pictures in years because I don't have a scanner so you will just have to rely on my judgment.

I wasn't too happy with what came out, primarily because a lot of the pictures look a little bit washed out. My camera is theoretically supposed to warn me if I am overexposing which it didn't do; in retrospect, I think I got carried away trying to achieve very shallow depth of field, totally ignoring the harsh light in which most of the pictures were taken (as in midday light on very sunny days). I was shooting on aperture-priority, like a good student of Spud's.

Then again, I got interesting colors on some of the images, even if they look like someone has been playing with Photoshop contrasts a bit much. Some have a problem with focus, so that's definitely an area for improvement. Well, frankly, there's lots of areas for improvement and I hope my "Understanding Exposure" is going to arrive soon because I don't quite know what I am doing (I canceled Scott Kelby because he wasn't in stock and I had already waited for more than a month).

I keep on shooting, though, and the second roll of film is almost finished so now I'm curious to see if I made any progress. I did make diligent notes all the way about what I shot, with what aperture and in which kind of light, which helped immensely when I sat to analyse what went wrong (or right, occasionally). Let's just say that, despite a little bit of disappointment, the experiment goes on...

9 comments:

Memories Of Mine said...

When shooting in analog/film camera your shots also have to be exposed during the printing process. So your over exposure issue could be the print labs fault and not your own. They may have been printed with old chemicals or left too long.

This is a common mistake with a lot of people. They think they have taken bad shots but it can often be a case of bad developing.

A suggestion would be to take a negative that you think is over exposed to another print lab to have developed again. Then compare the prints.

I am glad you are not giving up. :)

Jelica said...

Hi Liss, thanks for your encouraging words! At first I thought the strange colors had something to do with the fact that the film was 4 years old, but then there are a few pictures on which the colors are just perfect so I guess it can't be that. But I will definitely check another print lab, not least because this one was very expensive :)))

Unknown said...

This is very interesting! I'm loving your experiment and I may copy it... we have an old film camera that we never use! I'm sure even the washed out pictures are beautiful, you need to show us when you can!

Jelica said...

I'll definitely scan them when I can, B! It's a different kind of fun than shooting with a digital camera and I don't mind the wait until it's all developed--it reminds me of the old days :)

MissBuckle said...

I don't think I would have the patience for film.

spudballoo said...

Oh what a good student, even writing down notes and things! I agree with liss, some of the colour issues could be film and/or processing. Although in bright bright light going for a shallow depth of field is nearly always going to end in tears....

Ooooh I wish I could see them! Don't be disheartened, I delete about 50% of everything I take...and am only 'pleased' with about 5% or so.

Hugs [non contact] x

Bee said...

The problem with hanging out with Julochka and Spud is that they inspire camera envy . . . not to mention photographic-skill envy.

It seems as if you, like me, are challenging yourself to learn more about your presently owned cameras before you move on to BIGGER things. Good luck!

Jelica said...

Oh Spud, you'd be so proud of me, stopping after every shot to jot down the details, meticulously :) One day I'll show you the pictures and you'll laugh your head off at my dilettantism. I am definitely better with fractions!

Bee, that kind of sums it up :) I think I need to seriously improve my skills before I am ready for those BIGGER things, akhm...

Anne, try it! You'll be surprised :)

kristina said...

I'd love to see your photos Jelica! can't you photograph them with your digital camera to give us an idea? and good luck with your next roll!