First 35mm pics

[earthmanbuck]

Since I am new to this forum I figured I should probably upload a few pics I've taken. Seems like the natural thing to do!

These were from the first roll of actual 35mm film I shot (not counting stuff with a crappy plastic camera I did as a kid), a little over a year ago.

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

I know there are problems with lighting and such, but overall I'm okay with 'em. Unfortunately nothing I've done since then has been a whole lot better (some even worse!), but it's been fun playing around. Comments and criticisms are welcome.

EDIT: Also, pardon the dust specks on all the pictures. I have a scanner that I cannot seem to get clean no matter how intensely I go at it.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Looks like they were shot with the cheap fuji superia or w/e. The exposures look good for being indoors and probably dark. You should try transparency film (at box speed) or a higher-end CN film like Portra, overexposed a stop or two. gorgeous.

 

[earthmanbuck]

Yep, it was just bargain-bin Kodak 200 or 400, and indoors on an overcast day (except #4, which was outside on said overcast day). I did buy a bunch of slide film to try out, but so far it hasn't been coming out as nicely as I'd hoped. Do you think it's a good idea to overexpose it a stop? It's all ISO 100 stuff (Fuji Sensia/Velvia and Agfa Precisa). I do have a roll of Portra 400 too, but haven't given it a shot yet.

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment!

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Transparency film usually does it's best around box speed. You usually don't want to deviate too far from it. Transparency film is beautiful on a light table, but often loses it's magic when scanned. Velvia is gorgeous on a light table, very saturated and contrasty, scanned at most minilabs and it looks like garbage.

Portra 400 is my favorite color negative film, I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. Shot at ISO 200, and exposed for the shadows, you'll have rich, dense negatives that give you lots of information. You can generally overexpose it 2, almost 3 stops before you see any dramatic effect or issues. It also pushes better than any other color negative film i've used.

Digital will look sharper on a monitor and have no grain, but otherwise film is still a superior medium if you're looking for tonality and range, and depending on the format, resolution too.