=======================================================
-> This is The 'SPORRS' Mailing List
-> Info File: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/infosporrs.htm
-> Note: Remember to include your name in each list post or reply.
-> Please delete all unnecessary quoted text from the original message!
=======================================================

The case for the color negative.

If you only shoot for slide shows, then this is of no interest to you.

The recent acrimonious exchanges between the supporters and detractors of
color negatives has tweaked me enough to respond. (What do Fig Newtons have to
do with color printing?)

The statement was made that an art director or editor would wonder why you use
color negative film.  Several reasons are:
1. It is more forgiving than slide film. You can over or under exposed by
perhaps as much as 1 f stop and still get an acceptable result.  With
transparencies what you get is what you get.  No compensation is possible in
the darkroom for the individual exposure.  Entire rolls of film can be pushed
or pulled but not single frames.  The very best result with negatives comes
from properly exposed film.
2. Publication quality b&w prints can be made using Kodak Panalure paper and
printing from color negatives.  Since 1987 I have had over 100 b&w photos,
made using  6x7 color negatives and Panalure, paper published in national and
regional railroading publications  including CTC Board whose standards are as
high as anyone in railroad publishing. IMHO
3. If you send in a color print you always retain the original (the negative).
If you send in a one of a kind slide (the original) to an editor, you are at
the mercy of the editor’s carefulness and personal integrity and a host of
other factors out of your control.

There are other reasons but these are enough for this post.

Granted that many if not most editors/publishers don’t want and won’t use
color prints.  Undoubtedly there are some valid reasons for this attitude but
I submit in many cases the rejection of color prints is the result of a
“closed mind”  “My mind is made up don’t confuse me with the facts.”

I have been trying to get HIGH QUALITY glossy, bordered 8x10 color prints
published for years with minimal success. There is a difference between a hand
processed, 8x10, tack sharp, bordered, color print made from a medium format
negative  and a 1 hour photo 3.5x 5 inch print from a low end, point and shoot
camera.

Trains Magazine uses color prints and TRP (The Railroad Press) and both have
used my work. See the 2 page spread in TRP # 35 pages 32, 33  for a
reproduction from a color print.  


Just my OPINION.

Don Bowen
Exeter, CA

=======================================================
-> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects'
-> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/
-> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved
=======================================================


Reply via email to