Using Black and White Film

It’s hard to find sometimes but it’s making a resurgence, black and white film. If you’ve never used this film now is time to try it out. Here are some tips to using b&w film and what you can expect from results.

1. Forget color. This is hardest thing to do and number one reason that you will not get good results with b&w film. 2. Look for contrast. Once you can ignore color look for contrast. You will want your image to have a bit more contrast than you would normally want in a color image. 3. Consider shooting situations that are more formal. Black and white film gives such a wonderful timelessness to an image and it’s perfect for formal situations. 4. Keep your photos simple. Black and white film simplifies so don’t fight it. Keep images simple by keeping close to your subject or place your subject against a simple back drop. 5. Babies and pets look great on b&w film. Place pet or baby on a white background and you’ll be stunned at beautiful results.

Using Film Speed Effectively

So you have this great new camera. Now you’re standing in front of a display of more film that you’ve ever seen. All you want to do is take some great family photos but you don’t know where to start. Here’s short guide to help you get started. Film speed is a number that represents film’s sensitively to light. The higher number more sensitive to light, in that less light is needed to take a well exposed photo. The number is also an indicator of detail you will receive from negative. The higher number more likely that you’ll see a graininess to print when enlarged. Film speed goes from 25 to 1600 speed film. 25 to 200 Best for still life and portrait work, in studio conditions where lighting is controlled. This is not film for family shots indoors even with a camera mounted flash. You’d really need a complete lighting set up to use this film effectively. 200 speed film is very good for outdoor sunny conditions when you’re trying to get a shot of a beautiful landscape. It offers excellent detail and color saturation. 400 Considered all purpose film. Most films touted as all subject or general purpose are really 400 speed film. When in doubt use 400 speed film. Though you may still be using your camera mounted flash in room lighting conditions. Also good for outdoor conditions, will give you some flexibility in darker conditions and where you are trying to capture a moving subject.