And let’s not forget colour images working in square format too.
Nikon Z6, 18mm Extension Tube, Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S, Exposure X5, Color Efex Pro 2Nikon Z6, Lensbaby Composer Pro II, Sweet 35 Optic, Exposure X5, Color Efex Pro 4
So, last time I said that I didn’t know how to scan film properly. Well, I’m not saying that I now know how to do it properly, but after 2 days of going through old negatives I’m getting a feel for it. Vuescan is now a friend.
I’m surprised by how many scans I like, for negatives I’d forgotten all about. I suppose they got developed, given the once over and then I went on to other shiny things.
Taken with my Diana F+, Ilford Hp5+ @ 400, Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 at 20C for 9 mins. Canoscan 8800f and Vuescan x64, Edited in Exposure X5.
It has however, given me a new taste for film photography again. I love the results I get from my Zeiss Ikon Nettar. A lovely little camera. It doesn’t lend itself to quick photography, but that’s not necessarily bad thing. Also, the Diana F+ is a bit of fun. In some ways, medium format is where it’s at for me, being the middle ground between small negatives and really bloody heavy cameras!
I’d love to do some more street photography, with film. For me, it’s a matter of confidence. I can take photos of people walking away from me, no probs, but if they’re heading in my direction, I chicken out!
Taken with my Diana F+, Ilford Hp5+ @ 400, Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 at 20C for 9 mins. Canoscan 8800f and Vuescan x64, Edited in Exposure X5.
I also can’t forget my old friend, the lensbaby. It adds a new approach to street photography, isolating a subject. I also lament the fact that my Petzval 55 MK II is a Z mount lense. It’s great on my Z6, but I’d love to be able to use it on my f100. That would be fun!
Anyway, I’ll be shooting more film and scanning it now. Once my darkroom is up and running again (I’ve not really been in the mood to sort it out) lith printing will resume too. I’ll finish with one last scan:
So, I’ve been experimenting with a Raynox 250, as I said in my previous post. This is essentially a lense that clips on to the front of a lense to get you even closer. When combined with a macro lense, you get even closer. This does have it’s problems though, in that even with steady hands there’s still some shake, requiring high shutter speeds and a bit of luck. A tripod would make life easier when it comes to shake, but also makes life more difficult if you want to freely explore an object.
If I was feeling brave, I could even throw in some extension tubes and get closer still, but there’s only so much you can do whilst retaining your sanity!
I will be keeping the Raynox close to hand as it’s useful, but will need more practice using. Here are a few images I’ve made using it, mostly clipped onto my Tamron 90mm.
The luminous colours of a Dianthus.The petals of a daisy type flower.A close up of the centre of the daisy like flower.A close up of the entrance to a Trailing PetuniaThis image was and experiment. It’s actually a curve of bubbles around a glass of coke. I lit it with an LED lamp, with a black background. The focus isn’t perfect, but I think that actually adds to the sparkle.This little fella is only 1-2mm in size. Had to crop it quite aggressively. It’s quite amazing the detail you can get.And to end on an orange Viola.
Today’s captures, again all taken with Lensbaby Composer and Edge 35 Optic, with a 12mm Extension Tube thrown into the mix in places.
Osteospermum. Was really happy with how the details in the centre came out.I was really attracted to the contrast between red and green.Dead hydrangea stems. Really liked the distortion I got with this one.Little yellow flowers.
Sometimes the mood takes me and I break out the macro lense, extension tubes and ring flash to hunt for insects hiding around the flat. Living and dead, I’m fascinated by all the tiny details revealed.
Getting this close brings it’s own problems, especially if you’re hand holding the camera. While using a tripod would make it easier to get the focus where you want it, for me it’s very restricting in the fluidity of exploring an object.
The dead insects etc. are interesting in their own way. Details of their decay that would normally go unnoticed, are brought to the fore.
Sometimes, missing the shot – for whatever reason – can be serendipitous, giving a creepy image like the one above.
Again, I’ve been using the Edge 35 Optic in a Lensbaby Composer, with mixed success.
The software I use for managing and editing photos is called Exposure X4.5. I’m still tied into lightroom for my past photos, but I prefer Exposure for it’s ease of use and power. I also use GIMP or Photoshop when the need arises.
Up Close And Personal 