First B&W film shots - C&C

theboat · 15-05-2010 3:49pm #1

This was my first time shooting black and white, so any advice/comments most welcome

Photos taken with a Nikon FM2, 50mm lens, Fuji Neopan 400 film.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Nisio · 17-05-2010 11:04am

Hey The Boat

I think the photos could do with a bit more contrast; they seem to be a bit grey to me

Oisin

thefizz · 17-05-2010 11:08am

They look over exposed but there is potential in them. I like the second one best.

Ghost Train · 17-05-2010 12:15pm

They look contrasty and well exposed to me

I like no.2 & 4, the sky in the other two seems to take from them, distracts from the subject of the photo

theboat · 17-05-2010 7:32pm

Thanks for the replies folks.
I see what you mean about the sky. In no.2 I was trying for a more abstract look, though it didn't really come off... :rolleyes:

Thecageyone · 17-05-2010 10:11pm

They're a little flat and grey IMHO, I take it these are straight off cam and scanned? Not processed? They would benefit from a little boost of black levels but I guess that defeats the purpose of shooting with film?

Heebie · 18-05-2010 12:20am

I really like the first & last.. but I'd really like to see more contrast for sure. (as has been said already.)

kjt · 18-05-2010 5:49pm

I'd tend to agree with everybody so far, you need a good bit more contrast in the images but then again that could always be your unique style...

I think #2 has the most potential of all the shots above, really like it!

theboat · 18-05-2010 5:54pm

I see what you all mean about the contrast. I'd noticed it myself, but the purist in me was reluctant to do any pp on them :rolleyes:
Does this improve no. 2, or is it way overdone? (The other reason for not tinkering with my photos is my complete lack of knowledge of pp!)

Thanks again for the input. Much appreciated

kjt · 18-05-2010 6:02pm

I've attached my quick go at it, I think you're might be a slight bit much.. it all depends on what you want to tell with the photo.

left=orig middle=mine right=yours processed

theboat · 18-05-2010 6:06pm

Thanks Kyle! Yeah, you're right. Mine was waay too much!
What did you do? I just blindly played with the curves...

kjt · 18-05-2010 6:21pm

Did you do it in photoshop? if so I can send you over the psd file...

I just added a curves layer and dropped it a tiny bit. I also added a levels layer and changed that around a wee bit

theboat · 18-05-2010 8:49pm

Nope, I've only got GIMP. I'll spend some more time messing around with it and see if I can figure something out!

First B&W film shots - C&C

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