One-Minute Reads about Film Photography

For Beginners – Slow down and just shoot manufacturer recommended speed.

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I regularly come across photos on https://www.reddit.com/r/analog/ where the tech notes include something like “Portra 400 shot at ISO 800”. Pushing (under-exposing) or pulling (over-exposing) film certainly has their roles in photography, but usually under more extreme circumstances. Trying to get a “look” from film in that method can usually be obtained just by shooting at box speed and editing the scan in post.

Film manufacturers have done significant testing to find the best speed to shoot a film stock at to render the best overall results, so take their word for it and start by shooting at box speed.

When should you shoot at other speeds? Here are a couple of examples (not a complete list) and you should test out what works best for you.

1. Planning to shoot an entire roll under limited light conditions. Push the film 1 or 2 stops (ISO 400 stock shot at ISO 800 or 1600) and develop accordingly. This is quite easy to do with black and white stocks, and with color stocks if you are developing yourself. The Massive Dev Chart (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/massive-dev-chart-timer/id402405770) is well worth the purchase if you plan to do custom developing.
2. Shooting in harsh, high-contrast conditions for most of the roll you are shooting. Pull the film a stop or two (ISO 400 at ISO 200 or 100). This will lead to less contrast in the negatives. Same developing tips apply.

• gregory gammon / www.vinylfye.com