St. Mark's Steps

An exposure problem that I've been working on for some time. I posted a version some months ago, and this is a progress report.

The range of this scene - from lanterns to shadows - is 12 stops, far too much to capture on film. So I've been experimenting with ways to not have the lanterns completely blown out and still have some shadow detail. On this roll I tried using two 2-stop graduated neutral density filters, one hard-edged and one soft-edged (because that's all I have), for a 4-stop reduction in the upper part of the photo. Since they're in a Cokin mount I could slant the break across the photo diagonally to more or less match the line of the lanterns.

I found the multi-spot metering function on the T-90 to be a big help, and IIRC, I biased toward the shadows under the diagonal rail with two readings there, in addition to 3 single reading elsewhere. 8 stops is still really too much for film to grab, but I regained some detail in the lantern frames by setting the white point in Vuescan to 0.3, kind of an ersatz development reduction.

The next step is to learn how the "expose for shadows, develop for highlights" axiom can actually help me here

Would welcome some comments, based on my description in the comments

section, on how I could go about starting to experiment with reducing

the range of this photo further - toning down those lanterns -

through development reduction. "Expose for shadows, develop for

highlights." Thanks for any suggestions.

Looks like you're almost where you want to be Ken. Have you ever tried tri-x developed in highly diluted HC-110. It might be worth a try in this situation. Rate the film at 200, expose as you see fit. Dilute HC-110 at 1:120 from concentrate. Time is 20 minutes at 68F. Agitate only twice; once at 10 minutes and once at 15 minutes. It works and may be worth a try in this situation.

Shot is great. Looks like old hollywood movies. Try well-known but forgotten two-step developing : 1. develop normal time minus one-two minutes 2. DO NOT rinse, then continue developing in a water+SODA solution 4-5 minutes. 3. Fix as usual.

I wish you had taken this with a long exposure and a dark figure was walking up the stairs, blurred by the motion. Seems to need a subject. But nice shot nevertheless.

Nicely done but what is the purpose of this photo ?

Re: your comment "What is the purpose of this photo?" Without begging questions about "what is the purpose of art," I'd like to hear more about what you mean by asking that. I'm not being at all defensive, and I'm assuming you are asking out of real curiosity, rather than implying "this is a pointless photo."

 

In part the photo is to show something compositional that appeals to me aesthetically - like most photographs. In part it is a technical challenge, with the purpose of catching what is to me an elusive visual impression of extremes of light on film. You could say that it's also part of my learning process - a laboratory shot. It is also something in my immediate environment, something I see everyday, and I'm interested in noticing more carefully what is right there in front of me, in amongst my wanderings for "extraordinary" situations.

 

It is often stated that a photograph needs a "clear center of interest" or a focal point. I don't always agree. Often a photograph can be about formal relationships, or flow, or undulating shading, or - on and on. To me the formal relationships in this shot are enough for me to sustain interest. I would never expect it to be true for everyone, but I'd still like to know what you mean by "purpose."

B&W shows the bldg to be classical

Good balance of light. The entrance looks mysterious yet welcoming with this lighting.

Ken, I admire this photo. Sorry that I can't comment on your B&W development problem - I haven't done B&W for last 10 years. But the photo is really nice!

 

Ivan, have a look at Eugene Atget's "Escaliers" and "Interieurs parisiens" series, may be this would answer your question about purpose.