Hey Sailor!

[cgw114 140]

Pin-up Project--First Drafts
Mamiya 645 Super+Sekor 80/2.8C+Agfa APX100(exp)

View attachment 291804

 

[smoke665]

I like the direction you're going but not a fan of the lack of tonal range.

 

[cgw114 140]

I like the direction you're going but not a fan of the lack of tonal range.

Thanks. Meant to mimic flat, crappy process b&w wallet-size prints from the 40s. Work-in-progress...

 

[smoke665]

As noted I like the direction, model pose. IMO you have a wardrobe/background conflict. The top is so close to the background that it's blending in, making it look like her arm is coming out of a wall. Judging by the skin tones it looks to be a good exposure. Looking back at examples from the 40's the ones with dark wardrobes were generally in front of lighter backgrounds for separation, while lighter wardrobes used darker backgrounds.

I typically use an 18% gray background, by adjusting the "reflective reading" of the diffused value of subject to background. Adjusting reading to 2-1/3 + will give you pure white, 4 1/3 - gives pure black. Adjusting those values gives you unlimited tonal range

 

[cgw114 140]

As noted I like the direction, model pose. IMO you have a wardrobe/background conflict. The top is so close to the background that it's blending in, making it look like her arm is coming out of a wall. Judging by the skin tones it looks to be a good exposure. Looking back at examples from the 40's the ones with dark wardrobes were generally in front of lighter backgrounds for separation, while lighter wardrobes used darker backgrounds.

I typically use an 18% gray background, by adjusting the "reflective reading" of the diffused value of subject to background. Adjusting reading to 2-1/3 + will give you pure white, 4 1/3 - gives pure black. Adjusting those values gives you unlimited tonal range

Thanks. Fave model showed up with a dark top...Saw her merging with the background. Knew it was iffy at best but thought I could, Allah willing, save it somehow. Wrong again! How do you say "re-shoot?" She's an old friend, game for more, who enjoys period costume.

 

[smoke665]

Been a few decades since I did much with film. Supposedly the Agfa APX100 is supposed to be very fine grain with sharp definition and subtle grain, but I'm not seeing that in the image??? Looking back at some of the old vintage pin ups, I see the soft/washed out look you described on some of them. I'm more of a Vargas fan

 

[cgw114 140]

Been a few decades since I did much with film. Supposedly the Agfa APX100 is supposed to be very fine grain with sharp definition and subtle grain, but I'm not seeing that in the image??? Looking back at some of the old vintage pin ups, I see the soft/washed out look you described on some of them. I'm more of a Vargas fan

Age effect was unpredictable. Prefer Ilford XP2 Super for its flexibility in post. Leaning toward hot lights, fresnel spots for the 50s "girlie pix" look the models love. Me? I like the look of Man Ray's '30s portrait work. Above all, I'm hopelessly hooked on the look of Julia Margaret Cameron's portraits:

Julia Margaret Cameron – Explore the Collections · V&A

Best known for her powerful portraits, Julia Margaret Cameron was one of the most important and innovative photographers of the 19th century.

www.vam.ac.uk

 

[smoke665]

Julia Margaret Cameron's portraits

Are you trying get to tintype/colloidal look?

 

[cgw114 140]

Are you trying get to tintype/colloidal look?

It's a look I like. Had a conversation awhile ago here on seeing "19thC faces" today.Those seem best suited to the wet plate/daguerreotype/ambrotype look. A MUA friend who also scouts and I talk about period "looks" and faces that uncannily fit a time or fashion. Told she's looking for Pattie Boyd types now. She anticipates huge interest in Boyd's '60s look in the Sam Mendes Beatles biopix coming in 2028.
Fond of "We'll Take Manhattan," 10+yrs old film about how David Bailey and Jean Shrimpton upended the fashion photography world in the early '60s. Still around on various streaming services. Lots of old Pentax gear--hah!

we'll take manhattan film - Google Search

 

[greybeard31 4]

As one who has worked with 2 1/4 totally old school analog, I would love to see that printed without the grain and lack of tonal separation. It would have a creamy goodness.