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Photography Question 

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black and white shots


 
 
i am planning on going to paris in a few weeks, and would love some advice on what to shoot, and how to get the best black and white shots.

I love shooting on the street, then printing my own shots in a darkroom. What tips do you have in terms of film type, and techniques, that will help me achieve the best shots from my trip? Thanks
-niko


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April 03, 2001

 

Kris Haskins 		 
 
  Downtown
Downtown
Minolta XG7, 50mm lens, TriX-pushed to 1600. It has been a while, but I think this was taken at f/1.8 at 1/15sec.

Kris Haskins

  
 
Niko,
As far as film goes I suggest Kodak TriX, as it is the most versatile B&W film I've used. It has moderate sharpness and can be enlarged to and 8x10 acceptably, even to 11x14 if you want large grain to show on your print. It pushes to 1600 very nicely which really helps when you need the extra speed and can afford a picture with higher contrast and a little more grain. I personally love night shots of older cities, and without a tripod you NEED that speed.

I also recommend AGFA APX25. This is the other end of the spectrum, when there is plenty of light, or a nice tripod, and you want a very crisp 11x14. Where TriX will soften very hard edges, APX25 records everything very sharply. I wouldn't suggest it for closeups of people unless you want to see all their wrinkles.

I honestly don't know how TMax100 stacks up against APX25. I am starting a study today to compare them (I'd really like the extra stops).


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April 03, 2001

 
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