shooting with blue filter

[jimmy_m.]

I'm shooting alternately with a Canon EOS1v and a D60. I'm shooting

mostly portraits. When i shoot with the D60 and import the photos

into photoshop, i always go the the channels tab to check which

channel would make the best BW conversion. I find that with most of

my portraits (young children) the blue channel looks the best. It

darkens the skin and creates a mood similar to that "ortho" look.

Now, If i want to recreate this look using my film loaded EOS1v,

how would i go about doing that with panchromatic film? I've

searched the archives for similar posts and most say to use a blue

filter. I've used an 80A or B and couldn't notice a difference.

Others say use a 44A, well, they are not to be found with a 77mm

filter thread. Is there any other way to acheive this look? If i

were to shoot with Macophot PO100, would i acheive this same look?

Any help would be great.

[jimmy_m.]

Here is a photo i shot and converted to B/W via the blue channel. This is the look that i'm going for<div></div>

[ole_tjugen]

I use square filters - among them Lee colour-separation filters in blue and green - unless I use ortho film. That way you need one filter holder, and adapters for your lenses. Only one adapter for each thread size. In the long run, it's a lot cheaper than buying a new set of filters with every lens!

[heller_harris]

Hi -

 

I've been playing with the same thing. You might want to try a #47 blue filter. It will lighten the sky, increase haze and give more contrast in the skin. It tends to enhance surface imperfections in the skin and greatly emphasizes even pale freckles, etc. It's an interesting look, especially for men, but it's not traditionally flattering. The perfect skin of children won't show much, but watch out with adults. One caveat: The 47 is so dark that it's very difficult to focus; I have to focus first, then put the filter in place.

 

If you e-mail the Schneider people, they'll explain why the 47 works and the 80 series won't.

 

Some sources suggest a Green or Yellow-Green filter for B&W portraits. You might want to try that for a more flattering look.

 

Have fun.

[pascal_miele]

A 80 filter (80A, B, C.....) is too light for a strog correction in B&W

 

It's like the difference between tungsten and daylight in B&W you can see it, but it's not a strog effect.

 

For a real ortho effect you need a deep blue filter.

 

For a baby face it's good, but the blue filter has a strong effect on the red and many adults dont'like the ehancement of skin imperfections !