sooo much info. to wade through ...

What I want to do? I am an avid recreational photographer (35MM automatic SLR.) Also have PENTAX K-1000 that I really don't understand too much. I want to learn basics of B & W photography for taking portraits (mainly children) so I can do hand-coloring.

Do I need new camera? How do I learn what kind of lighting to purchase for indoor portaits (so no shadows) ... how do you learn placement of lighting? Do I need anything special for outdoor shoots?

Want to sepia-tone prior to hand-painting. Can I learn to process myself? How do I know what equipmet to buy? Or do I find someone to process for me? How do you find outside source? Is this route costly?

While I understand I need to take lots of pictures (trial and error), I don't know how to find answers to above questions just to get started. So many questions, but the more books I read the more overwhelming it all seems. I need some guidance on making those first few decisions ...

-- Carla Orndorff (btiexpress@yahoo.com), August 12, 1999

Answers

Probably the single best source of information are the Ansel Adams books. You'll find he's not great on portraiture, but the in the technique of B+W, there are few as good. Once you get comfortable getting a good image on paper, the lighting and handcoloring information will mean more and be more useful. The camera you have is more than fine. You might consider a 135mm or 150mm lens if you don't have one already.

-- chuck k (kleesattel@webtv.com), August 13, 1999.

Carla,

I do this sort of thing (see photo.net question on Q&A today under hand coloring), but I can't really help you here. If you want, please contact me by e-mail on a step by step basis and I will be more than happy to help you...

...but, first, yes, your camera is great for this and you might want to use Kodak TCN or Ilford XP-2 Super film for an easy starter, which can be processed and printed in a 1 hour lab.

E-mail me on this: fredrick@hotcity.com

Todd

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), August 13, 1999.

Carla,

You have found that common place of- The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.

No, you don't need a new camera. You already have two. Lighting?- why don't you want shadows? Many great photographs have very hard shadows, some have few, soft shadows, and others have modified shadows. Shadows help define the shape of the subject. Slow down, learn this and then you will know what to buy. read on...

It sounds like your ultimate goal is to hand color B&W prints. Can I suggest that we get you quickly to that point and then back up and begin working to improve the craft? First, purchase B&W film (maybe Kodak T-Max) or Kodak's B&W film made for C-41 processing (can be processed at any lab). Shoot the film outside using natural light and whatever lens you have of whatever subject you want to work with. Take the film to the lab for processing and proofing. Pick a couple of proofs and have the lab enlarge to 8x10 on a matte paper surface. You can use many different media to begin exploring hand coloring. You can purchase oil paints from your local camera store or art store. You can use watercolors or pastel chalks. You may want to look at one of several books written specifically on the subject of hand coloring prints. Experiment, have fun, and give yourself permission to make some mistakes. Take the prints to someone for critique.

Now, back up and begin the never ending process of improving your craft of photography. Your questions are too broad for specific answers here in this forum. I would suggest that you first begin to understand your Pentax manual camera. There are a number of good beginner books available. Or better, find a beginning photo class in your community; perhaps at the local college, community continuing education class, or camera store. I know this sounds like a lame non-specific answer but be a bold beginner, don't be an embarrassed one; ask anyone in the photo business in your local area this question "Where can I learn more about photography?", seek the answers. What learning process works for you? Do it!

As you study photography, you will learn that the camera is only a tool and, hopefully, that although you might want to acquire certain other tools to go along with your camera such as lights, light modifiers, or filters you cannot purchase better photography with money alone. You must invest in knowledge and then make your purchases wisely. Beautiful excellent photographs can be made with your Pentax and a normal 50mm lens without any additional lights or other photo-gadgets!!! Learn to make good photos with this set up and then add other tools for more variety later.

As you begin to learn photography, you will become more exposed to the darkroom side of the photographic process. It is not necessary for you to set up your own darkroom to become successful at what you do. I do find it an advantage to have my own darkroom because B&W is very interpretive. But if you don't, it simply means that you must develop a good working relationship with a lab to be able to communicate your interpretation of the image to them. Do not be dismayed by the proofs they produce for you but rather use that as a baseline to describe "lighter/darker, more or less contrast". They should be able to communicate what their capabilities and limitations are to you so that you can communicate back to them what you are trying to achieve. Communicate to them visually with examples of other images you have clipped from magazines or examples on their walls. You should have plenty of two-way communication with your lab.

You can sepia-tone true B&W prints at home without having a darkroom set up in your home. It is inexpensive. Ask your photo store.

Good luck on your journey.

-- Rick Stiles (rick.stiles@lmco.com), August 17, 1999.

If you do not understand your Pentax K1000 then this is the place to start. If you learn how to meter manually and the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and proper exposure then just about everything else follows easily. I think you should learn this first and if the books are not a help then you should consider a good basic photography course. In the meantime you might just want to use your auto and start photographing kids right away. Just getting them to stand still will be enough of a challenge at first. If possible start outdoors in bright shade since built-in flash is usually harsh and unflattering. As suggested above you can use either normal BW film or the type that can be developed the same way as colour film. However for hand colouring it seems you'll need printing on fiber-based paper and that will get expensive. Since your endpoint is at a fairly advanced level I recommend baby steps at first, but having said that I also recommend photographing as often as possible because this is the only way to get good at it. Practice, practice, pratice.

-- Andy Laycock (agl@intergate.bc.ca), August 21, 1999.

Hi Carla

I agree with the comment just above- first nail the fundamentals of light, exposure, composition and timing. The Ansel Adams books are an excellent suggestion as above. I think your K1000 is ideal to learn about this. I've been at this for 20 years and still use a mechanical, manual SLR to photograph young (i.e. moving) children. Regardless of the equipment you will ultimately use, you need to develop an instinctual response to any scene. This will allow you to "automatically" compose and expose your decisive moment in seconds. This takes practice and understanding. No amount of coloring, burning/dodging etc will fully compensate for a substandard image. Conversely, there is little if anything you need to add to a well-composed/exposed image. Young children as subjects require that you shoot many images, but you still need to try to make each frame count rather than depending on luck.

Once you're comfortable with the fundamentals of B&W photography, you'll be that much more effective with your coloring.

Good luck.


-- Asher (schachter@a1.tch.harvard.edu), August 26, 1999.

hey there Carla, i agree with some others about learning the basics of your camera & exposure etc. DEFINATELY. Also,about lighting...the great thing i always think, is that you can SEE it!!! If the lighting looks right-it is...just look...even if you're using natural light from a window, have a look at the shadows when athe subject changes angle. I have used a kind of water colour that comes in a bottle which is diluted to do hand-colouring. Photoshop is great...you use layers for different colours at reduced opacities to copy the style of hand- colouring. I find it is better to use slightly lighter prints than usual to paint. Don't read too many books! Good luck Carla. Xpandy

-- pandy (pkaravan@hotmail.com), October 19, 1999.