Re: Lenses and Contrast

[P3D Carrano, Allan <allan.carrano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. T wrote:

>Yes, very good example.  There is a theory that the Verascope was >designed
like that on purpose to create low-contrast "moody" pictures.  
>I am not sure if Allan Carrano agrees with this statement but many 
>times these pictures are better than crispy ones, especially in projection.

Yes sometimes a better picture, but...Don't you think such "moody"
pictures belong more often in the world of the 'one eye's?'   I know
when I do 2D, the almost surreal effect of low contrast tends to give
that "artistic impression" of reality, rather than capturing reality.
Since 3D leans heavily on the capturing of reality, I find less need or
desire to shoot for "moody" renditions of subjects in stereo
photography.

So, in stereo, yes, I do favor the crisp, bold, vivid portrayal of
reality, but on rare occasions, I can see going for something different
- 'breaking the (self imposed) rules.'  To quote myself from an earlier
post: 

>I just wanted to comment that as short as 10 - 15 years ago there were >some
lovely low contrast slide films available.  I just started to explore
them >when they were "upgraded" by the manufacturers.  It seems the
public likes >high contrast vivid slides instead of the softer,
somewhat pastel like >rendering, these now defunct films offered at the
time.

>I found out about the change over after purchasing a follow up roll of an
Agfa >slide film I had used previously, and found to be particularly
pleasing to use >in soft misty morning outdoor shots.  There was no
warning of the >"improvement" to the film, not even, as I recall, new
packaging.  The stereo >slides I took are fine, but did not have that
special soft quality I was trying to >capture.

And I'm pleased to see I'm not alone in this opinion.  Sam Smith says:  
 
>One thing has never seemed to add up regarding modern slide film and 
>lenses.  The lenses are more contrasty, so they made slide film more 
>contrasty.  Where's the logic in this? I sure miss the old Agfachrome.

Allan Carrano


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