First B&W prints critique

[Brutus]

I recently started shooting B&W because of recently having built myself a dark room (only four rolls total right now), and I've started making some prints. I scanned a few today, and so I'd like some C&C on either the pictures, the prints, or both.

1. (Before you ask, it was Halloween)

2.

3.

4.

Thanks!

 

[Brutus]

These are 720dpi scans of the 8x10 prints, by the way

 

[white]

They have a greenish color to them. Reminds me of the prints I got from Kodak BW400CN. Strange.

Can't put my finger on what exactly bothers me about these. They seem to lack contrast, but there are blown highlights in all of them.

B/W requires a unique way of seeing. To be honest these are not great black & whites. Nearly all of them would probably be better in color.

 

[ann]

they have a green cast on my monitor as well. I find the first to be too contrasty, but they lack sutle shades of gray.

these are scans from prints? scanning can be a technique in itself. this may be causing the color shift and the contrast issues as well.

thinking in black and white is critical to making fine black and white prints.

 

[Brutus]

Low contrast and blown highlights sounds to me like I'm not exposing/developing the paper long enough. And a greenish tint...it must be the scan, I'd think. I cannot think of anything I could do while printing to give greyscale negatives and paper a green tint.

As far as thinking in black and white...well, I'm certainly not there yet. I've only shot color, be it digital or film, before this, so I'm sure it will take a while to make the transition. Any tips on anything to read to maybe help me along?

 

[o hey tyler]

What kind of film are you using?

 

[ann]

contrast is control by filters or using graded papers. Dodging and burning will correct blown highlights, dark shadows (up to a point) paper should be developed to completion, which for rc is usually 90 secs. fiber 2-3 minutes. With fiber papers, chose a time and stick with that, don't pull when you "think" it is done.

Find a copy of Larry Barlett's Black and White Photo workshop as it will give you lots of information regarding how to print. Check out Ilford's website, they have several good pdf files on darkroom techniques.

 

[Brutus]

I'm using HP5+ developed in D-76.

Thanks for the suggestions, Ann, I already knew about dodging and burning and have already started to attempt it to very limited degrees, just not on these prints.

What can you suggest as far as taking better b&w pictures?

 

[KmH]

I would recommend using supplimental light more often.

#1 needed fill light, #2 less so. With your subjects being darker than the backgrounds, they become secondary image elements because of the long used visual compositional guideline "light advances, dark receeds."

 

[ChevyBaby]

I've calibrated my monitor a few months ago and on my screen they appear a bit blue.

I love image 3, the DOF seems.... i don't know just... there's something really nice and sharp about it.

Are you fibrebase printing? When I first started B+W printing I always used fibrebased, everything feels so much better about it!

 

[ann]

you might find a copy of Les Mclean's Creative Black and White Photography.

there is a nice ebook on Black and white photography that talks about seeing in monochrome. It is about 5 dollars and can be found on Craft & Vision website. I believe the title is The Magic of Black and White photography.

 

[white]

What can you suggest as far as taking better b&w pictures?

Yellow K2 filter if you don't already have one. For B&W film it is necessary in order to correct film's natural hypersensitivity to blue and ultraviolet. But if you want pure white skies (for artistic effect), then shooting without a filter is ok.

Contrast, texture, quality of light all rule the day. Most people like to shoot during 'the golden hours', but hard, directional light can produce some great stuff for black & white if you go out looking to make those kinds of images.

Start simple.

 

[Brutus]

I shall get a yellow k2 filter as soon as I have some extra funds.

And I've been trying to shoot during the golden hours, but it's been very overcast and rainy the past few weeks, so it's tough to get light that isn't flat.

 

[Brutus]

Alright, so I'll start using a #2 contrast filter or so, and exposing the prints a bit longer.

Just for fun, picture the images in color, how is the composition etc.?

 

[j-dogg]

What kind of film are you using?

I was going to say, that's either CN, or FujiFilm ACROS.

Pretty much what everyone else has said, the composition is there but the highlights aren't, try shooting with an orange or a yellow filter. :thumbup: I have those plus a greenie in my bag.