aaron_m_baxter Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I have been shooting quite a few weddings recently, and I am encountering a slight problem in certain instances. When shooting the bride and groom next to each other, I often times have to decide between over-exposing her dress or under-exposing his tux because of the GIANT difference in the color: black vs. white. Although average metering helps, Is there any way particular work-around for this problem? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hal_bissinger Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 What film are you using? (You ARE using film, aren't you?) Films like Portra and Fuji NPH are designed for this and should render good blacks and whites. Also, don't dismiss your printing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_m_baxter Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 Yes, I'm using film. I usually go with Kodak 800 because I often times like to produce a slightly over-exposed look in pictures. I do, however shoot with 400 speed film at times, but fast speeds have become my preference. As far as Portra is concerned, I did not at all like the way it rendered colors. I felt there was an strange blue-green cast on the film. I will look into the other film you suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robd Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I'd meter off of their faces and let the dress and the tux fall where they may. Try NPH or NPZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hal_bissinger Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 <i>...As far as Portra is concerned, I did not at all like the way it rendered colors. I felt there was an strange blue-green cast on the film. </i><p> It's gotta be your printing. Humor me. Try it again, Portra NC in any speed you desire. (160, 400, 800) This time have it printed by a lab that knows how to print Portra preferably on Portra paper. Most labs don't know how to print it and the results are usually what you describe. I recommend <a href="http://www.prophotoco.com/"target="newwindow">Pro Photo in Lakeland FL.</a> They are a good "wedding lab" and will also do NPH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_m_baxter Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 I just might give it another try. I have another roll of Portra that I haven't used for fear that the results would be indesireable. I'll shoot it and see what a different lab can do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chito_baclig Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 How about using a gray card. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted October 19, 2002 Share Posted October 19, 2002 Are you using a flash? Or shooting available light? What camera and/or meter are you using? Are you flashing direct or using a soft box on the flash? Is the flash off-camera, like on a flip bracket for example? Generally, it is far more important to capture detail in the dress. Neg film has a wider latitude for overexposure than under exposure, so I tend to rate my films a bit lower ( like 400ISO at 320). When closer to the subjects I also tend to compensate the flash -.3 or -.7 depending on the distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_m_baxter Posted October 21, 2002 Author Share Posted October 21, 2002 I usually shoot with available outside light, sometimes with a diffuser or reflector or both. For shots like this I sometimes use 400 film since you can't seem to find 100 film anymore. I wonder why that is. ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_prouty Posted March 16, 2004 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Listen to Hal! Use a professional film because it is designed to solve the problem you have! If you got bad color from Portra films, you need to change to a Pro Lab. One that actually is a Pro Lab. They deal with these films almost exclusively and print on papers that give best detail and saturation for professional work. I never got anything but rich warm flesh tones from Portra by using CPQ or any other pro lab like Burrell, Millers, etc. If you are going to do pro work use another pro to process and print your film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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