Film photography is very much art, there’s lots to see and learn: with time, effort and dedication a photographer can create some amazing images that tell a story. With film photography the saying ‘pictures speak a thousand words’ really becomes a truth.
Today, Ronan Guillou a photographer from France tells us about his experiences with film photography, shares some of his images and offers us some great hints and tips to get the most out of shooting film.
Enjoy, Lars Fiedler
Shooting film by Ronan Guillou, France
I’ve been shooting with Kodak negative colour films since I started working as a professional photographer in 1997. Using film doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t want to go with digital. I consider both mediums have their place in photography, depending on the fields of application. For my commissioned works, clients expect an immediate view of what is being shot. Fair enough: digital photography is great for this use. It also allows me and the team I work with to check quickly if what we’ve been doing sticks with the brief.
As for the artistic work, I don’t need to instantly see what I just shot. I believe photographers know what they do at the very moment they take a photograph. Above all, what I aim at is high flexibility and freedom in the way I work. The camera I’ve been using for years is a medium format Hasselblad 501cm, mounted with an 80mm lens. My favourite film is Kodak Portra 400/120. That film is just great; it fits perfectly with my expectations.
What I like about using film with a medium format camera, especially Kodak Portra 400/120:
– Photographing with film doesn’t require any batteries or connections whatsoever with the camera I use. That particular point gives unlimited autonomy on my trips, which I definitely appreciate. The only battery needed for my work is for the light-meter travelling with me.
– I don’t have to upload pictures daily on a computer, then on a second back-up hard-drive.
– If needed, I can shoot fast without constraint.
– Using medium-format films provides very high resolution results.
– You can speed up Kodak Portra 400 to 800 or 1600 ISO.
– Film is stable, flexible and has great latitudes. In case of wrong exposures, you still have a chance to save your shots.
– Kodak Portra gives consistent and accurate colours, with beautiful and almost invisible grain when it comes to large prints.
– Once they’ve been processed, films are easy to keep safe and easy to archive, with an infinite lifetime.
– They can handle very high or very low outdoor temperatures.
– You don’t want to waste films, which means you need to keep focused on what you do and shoot only when your soul or instinct tell you to do so.
– Exposed correctly, films capture highlight and shadow details in some situations that digital struggles with.
– I think the rendering of the depth of field with film looks great.
Few tips on using film:
– Most of the time, I use Kodak Portra 400 at its standard rating. Then I ask the lab to push the film at plus one half stop in the process. It brings a slight contrast to the film and makes it a little punchier.
– Or you could rate the Portra 400 at 250 ISO, and process it “normal” at the lab.
– If you have enough room in your fridge, I recommend you store your films in it so they can live a bit longer than the expiration dates.
– It’s better being on the over-exposed than on the under-exposed side.
– Just as for digital, I recommend you organise a back-up with scanning the negatives of your main photographs (in case of unfortunate accidents such as fire or robbery).
– Find a good lab to process your films, and then find a good printing lab. As I live in Paris, Publimod is processing my negatives, and Mupson Lab is doing the prints on the enlarger. I get my films scanned at Picto or Dupon. I believe it’s important to have a close relationship with your lab(s).
– I try to keep in mind the number of frames I have left in the film back.
– Though I know it’s riskless, I always ask my films to be hand-checked instead of going through the X-rays before boarding on a plane.
– Once in a while, I check my camera gear on slow speeds before loading a new roll, so I know if my equipment works properly (speed and f shutters). I had a bad experience one day – the speed shutter was jammed, and I kept shooting for one week without knowing about it – and I don’t want it to happen again!
– Lastly, I’d say taking a good photograph is not related with the ability to see it right after you shot it!
——-
Ronan Guillou
I know this site offers quality dependent articles and other material, is there any
other web site which provides such stuff
in quality?
LikeLike
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my
iphone during lunch break. I really like the
info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look
when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!
LikeLike
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers
and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would
be great if you could point me in the direction of a good
platform.
LikeLike
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
LikeLike
I like the helpful information you provide for your
articles. I will bookmark your blog and take a look at again here
regularly. I’m rather sure I will be told many new stuff proper here!
Good luck for the following!
LikeLike
Really when someone doesn’t know afterward its up to other people that they will help, so here it happens.
LikeLike
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site.
I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me
to get my very own site now 😉
LikeLike
For the reason that the admin of this site is working,
no uncertainty very shortly it will be famous, due to its
quality contents.
LikeLike
Therefore before you capitol roofing hire any
roofing company. Wooden Shingles most energy efficient type
because they provide more insulation. To protect yourself and for the welfare of your business by skipping out on a yearly inspection for your office.
In addition, the durability of metal roofs are gaining world wide popularity and
their popularity is characterized by the advantages that these metal wonders have to offer.
You shouldn’t have to live in. Did A Storm Blow Through Your Area?
LikeLike
Greetings I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Yahoo for something else, Nonetheless I am here now
and would just like to say thanks for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also
love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added
in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a
lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.
LikeLike
Thanks , I’ve just been looking for info approximately this topic for a long time and yours is
the best I have came upon so far. But, what concerning the
conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?
LikeLike
Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the great work!
LikeLike
Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads
a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a
fair price? Kudos, I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Very good write-up. I certainly love this website. Keep it up!
LikeLike
My family all the time say that I am killing my time here at web, however I know I am
getting experience daily by reading such good content.
LikeLike
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll
be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
LikeLike
What’s up, I check your blogs on a regular basis. Your writing
style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!
LikeLike
It’s awesome to go to see this website and reading the views of all friends concerning this
piece of writing, while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.
LikeLike
My brother suggested I may like this web site.
He was totally right. This publish truly made my day.
You cann’t believe simply how much time I had spent for this information!
Thank you!
LikeLike
What’s up, this weekend is nice in support of me, as
this occasion i am reading this impressive educational piece of writing
here at my home.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing such a fastidious thinking, article is fastidious, thats why
i have read it fully
LikeLike
What’s up, I want to subscribe for this weblog
to get newest updates, thus where can i do it please assist.
LikeLike
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site’s articles everyday along with a mug of coffee.
LikeLike
It’s truly very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, therefore I just use internet for that reason, and take the newest
news.
LikeLike
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different page and
thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so
now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.
LikeLike
future, the researchers want to find out whether a
combination of several educated in the gastrointestinal tract
hormones can further enhance the effect of the gastric band.
Perhaps the main reason behind this though is that you have developed a dependence on food.
Assuming that you aren’t a super-taught individual, you will have
some major snags adding on control over your zealous urges towards consuming
distinctive sustenances.
LikeLike
If you have been feeling tired and rundown lately, and seem to be gaining weight for no apparent reason, then it is time
for a change. Adiphene is the newest and fastest
weight reduction supplement in market. Indeed Adiphene weight reduction pill is the answer for those who always goes on food regimen however can’t endure the meals
carving hunger and the irritability gave rise by dieting.
LikeLike
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
LikeLike
Askinng questions are really good thing if you are not understanding
anything completely, however this article provides fastidious understanding even.
LikeLike
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the best I’ve came upon so far.
But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure about the
supply?
LikeLike
After I originally left a comment I seem to have
clicksd onn the -Notkfy me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four mails with thhe exact same
comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove
me from that service? Cheers!
LikeLike
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was
once a leisure account it. Look complicated to more brought agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep in touch?
LikeLike
Great site. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans
additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly,
thank you to your sweat!
LikeLike
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was once a leisure account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could wee communicate?
LikeLike