Grain on purpose

I'm experimenting with creating an impressionist style portrait technique using liberal grain, slightly soft focus, and not so saturated color. I've used the new prograin filter in 35mm and like it. It's filter material that fits right in front of the film. I expect I could put some kind of material inside the bellows of my 4x5, right in front of the film plane, and achieve a similar effect. Any ideas of what kind of material might do it?

that type of effect is easily accomplished using digital processes.

i wouldnt recommend trying to put anything infront of the film - i

would shoot the film normally, and work on the effect during post

processing.

anything you put directly in front of your lens will be out of focus

no matter how far you stop down your lens. So, what you will create

instead of "grain" will be an out-of-focus effect that will just

soften the image.

 

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the only pre-processing way to enhance grain is to radically

underexpose and push process your film. using a very high ASA rated

film (1600) will also give you a substantial grain effect.

 

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then, in photoshop there are lots of ways to create or enhance grain,

including some great "noise" filters that add grain however you want

it.

john:

instead of putting something infront of your lens or film plane

when you are taking the picture, you might try experimenting with

your printing. you could probably take a piece of tri-x film and

push process it at 1600 so all the grain appears on the film.

take this grainy film and print it either infront of or behind your

negative. you might have the effect you are looking for.

good luck. - - - john