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Re: Film Rating


  • From: P3D Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: Re: Film Rating
  • Date: Thu, 16 May 1996 11:24:53 -0500

Tim Malfia wrote:

> The general rule is that slides look better when slightly (1/3
> to 1/2 stop) underexposed. Prints will look better when the
> negative is slightly (same amount) OVERexposed


Exposure is one of those weird and wonderful topics of discussion which 
is much discussed, but is difficult to gain any kind of consensus over. 
I think it's because exposure is highly subjective, highly individual, 
and highly situationally dependent. Anyone who has worked with or 
studied the zone approach to b&w exposure acquires a good appreciation 
of this.

I guess I'd like to suggest that the notion that universally under 
exposing slide film by 1/3 of a stop, or universally over exposing 
reversal film 1/3 of a stop, to somehow yield "better looking" results 
overall is a misuse of some of the basic tenants of exposure.

Under exposing color reversal film slightly will increase image density 
and color saturation (among other effects). There are situations where 
the photographer would find this desireable. There are also situations 
where the photographer would not. There are film stocks (such as the 
original Velvia) where further increases in density, saturation and 
emphasis of the red spectrum would not work too well for people, but 
might be wonderfully dramatic/romantic for the right product shot. There 
are other, "flatter" emulsions (such as some of the standard 
Ektachromes) which would be better candidates for general underexposure.

With negative films, you have always have the next generation to do some 
compensating, so _in general_ if you're doing press style photography, 
you want to try to get the full range of contrast on the negative. But 
there are many, many situations where hitting the film universally 
"harder" will take the snap and the life out of it, and no amount of 
working with the print will compensate for it.

Like format choice, lens choice, emulsion choice, etc, exposure I think 
is a creative choice the photographer makes on a case-by-case basis 
depending upon the specifics of the depands of the situation.

Then he/she brackets the heck out of it, and hopes for the best.  8)


Eric G.
egoldste@xxxxxx


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