I'm just starting with B/W film.

I shot some images outside on a very bright day. The sky is completely washed out in many of the photos. I used Kodak's TMAX 100 film. Also, the resolution, for lack of a better word, isn't as sharp as I thought it would be and the shadows too dark. I know there are many variables, but any suggestions as to how I can get better results?

thanks

-- mark warren (mark_warren@rsco.com), March 19, 1998

Answers

Your question has alot of possible answers but a good starting place to get a more natural look in outdoor photos is to use a #12 yellow filter. T-Max 100 is a fine grain film, fine grain and sharpness are at opposite ends of the spectrum. That doesn't mean that T-Max 100 can't look sharp it just takes a little getting use to or a little experimenting with exposures and chemicals. Have fun.

-- Jeff White (zonie@computer-concepts.com), March 19, 1998.

I've had a few mistakes and a few successes with T-Max 100 lately, so maybe I can help. The sky is washed out because B&W film doesn't see as we do. This is part of the learning curve when you start shooting B&W. The #12 yellow filter suggested will bring the sky back to a slightly darker than natural tone. Using a #25 red filter will turn the sky black. Go ahead and try it, you might like the effect.

If T-Max 100 isn't sharp, get a tripod. The yellow and red filters will take away two and three stops of speed, so you'll need the tripod. Also, different developers have a profound effect on T-Max film. I get excellent results using HC-110 Dilution B in a Jobo processor.

Dark shadows could indicate on of two problems: metering or processing. You didn't mention what type of meter you use, but you need to take spot readings and make sure the light is within five stops from the deepest shadow to the brightest highlight in which you want to retain detail. After exposing the film properly, you need to control the processing temperature very carefully. That's why I bought a Jobo, but you can get great results by hand if you use a water bath to store your chemistry bottles and get them all to the same temperature before processing the film.

You also need to take detailed notes while in the field, so when you pull your film out of the wash you can go back and see waht you did wrong, and what you did right. Keep shooting. You'll learn to love this film.

-- Darron Spohn (sspohn@concentric.net), March 20, 1998.