Portrait Session-What Film to Use?

[andrew_pike1]

My mother has offered to do some outdoor, existing-light, family

portraits for her hairdresser. She has asked me to suggest a good

existing light portrait film for her.

 

Problem is, I do slides of nature stuff (flowers, etc.), so I have

no idea what to tell her. I'm just fine with Kodachrome's skin

tones, but she reels at them ("It's too yellow-orange!" she

says. "They look like paste!" she says. I politely ignore her.) And

she would rather have negative film because negative film is easier

and less expensive to make prints from.

 

The weather on the day of the shoot will most likely be overcast

(what else would you expect in January in NE Ohio?), or completely

clear. I don't know if it will be in the sun or the shade, so the

film should be as adaptable as possible. If you could suggest to me

two or three good negative films for use in those lighting

conditions, then it would be greatly appreciatied.

 

I have tried some of the Agfa Portrait 160 with a flash to take

pictures of my newborn cousin at the hospital. Let's just say that

the results were...less than I'd expected. Is this film any better

in natural lighting than with a flash?

 

If it matters, she'll most likely be using a Nikon N65 with a 28-

80mm f/3.3-5.6 AF-Nikkor G-lens. She might also use my 28-200mm

f/3.5-5.6 AF-Nikkor G-lens also if she wants. But the AF with that

lens isn't so great on the N65, so I think she'll leave it.

 

It should also be noted that the lab we go to uses an Agfa machine

(d-Lab, I think they're called) to make the prints.

 

Thanks ahead of time.

[olivier_koning]

The Kodak Portra line is very good. Negative film. NC for neutal tones, VC for more vivid colors. How good is your lab is another matter but you can always re-adjust color balance to your taste.

[andrew_pike1]

In regards to the lab, it is Dodd Camera in Mentor, a branch of the big Dodd store in downtown Cleveland. They are very good-a pro lab in my opinion.

[glen_evans1]

Year in and year out, my best outdoor results come from Portra 160NC. Try for low sun angle even when overcast. good luck G.E.

[mark_kolanowski]

Andrew, Fuji NPH 400 is an outstanding all around portrait film. I rate it at ISO 320. I've shot many rolls of both the 120 an 35mm emulsions. Its my film of choice for outdoor portraiture. In 35mm 11x14 - 16x20 (with good technique) Medium format 30x40s look great. Good Luck, Mark<div></div>

[steve_levine]

Depends on who is doing the printing ? Fuji NPH(400) looks best on FUJI papers,and KODAK NC 400 looks best on their papers.

These two films are the gold standards of "people print films". The 160 variants of both are fine for brighter days.

[andrew_pike1]

But it's being printed on Agfa papers-what is the best film for that?

[c_o1]

Andrew,

I would ask the guys at the lab. They should know what prints best on their paper.

Sincerely,

CO

[scott_eaton]

<I>But it's being printed on Agfa papers-what is the best film for that?</i><P>Fuji NPH. This is the classic, neutral film for all occasions and labs, and it prints better on Agfa papers than Agfa films or Kodak. Kodak Portra NC is my second choice (wonderfull portrait film given Kodak printing), but I'd seriously consider NPH as your first choice.<P>Stick to the 28-80 using the long end.

[andrew_pike1]

OK then, I'll reccomend NPH and Portra 160/400NC to her.

 

But I'm still curious as to how Agfa Portrait 160 looks in daylight printed on Agfa paper.

[jason_fitzmaurice]

Agfa 160 is a great film; however, it is EXTREMELY low contrast. It is also very low colour saturation. It is a great film for high contrast lighting, but can be tough to use in flat conditions. When using strobes I use MUCH less fill with this film than others. It is great for outdoor portraits during high contrast times of day, but is a little flat in low contrast lighting.

[scott_eaton]

Stick with NPH. Better film than Agfa 160, which I find dull and grainy for it's speed. NPH won't miss.

[jesse_de_la_llata]

I'm in a similar situation where a couple wants me to photograph them in Color and B&W. I'm planning on using NPH, but what about B/W film? Would Fuji Neopan 400 work well for portraits? Thanks in advance.

[andrew_pike1]

My mom also wants to do some B&W. I just told her to use Kodak Plus-X. The grain is fine enough, and I love the tones. I took pictures of my newborn cousin with this, and they came out great.

[steven_clark]

Fuji NPH or NPS depending on the light. Reala if she has trouble getting those and plenty of actual sunlight.