Topic: Dark blue filters with b/w films

[Ed Wenn]

Team, I've been reading a little about the possible use of blue filters with b/w film. It sounds intriguing. It seems that the darker blue filters might work better and there's also the question about which film to use.

Anyone here experimented with this combo? I'd love to see some results or get some tips/suggestions.

[Francois]

Yes Ed, I've seen this done before and it can give pretty strange results.
If you photograph someone with blue eyes, their iris becomes almost white and all you can see is the pupil of their eyes. It gives a somewhat eerie feeling. Quite an interesting effect. I don't know, but it may also hide little blood vessels in the process.

In landscapes, it should increase the appearance of haze and lighten the sky.

As for which film to use, I don't think there should be any specifics. Do take into account that you will need at least a stop more light if you use a dark CC filter (80, 80A, 80B).

You could also try using the Rosco or Lee filter swatches. They have lots of color choices.
Keep us posted on your experiments.

[cpierce]

Ed:  The effect with current b&w films would be like that of the old Ortho films, good for taking pics of people.  Darkens skin tones, gives more contrast.  Ilford Ortho would give you same or better effects as using a blue filter.  The plus side of ortho film is it is useable under safe light, like photo paper.  I use the 4x5 sheet film, I think they make the film in 35mm rolls, also believe there are a few other makers that have it in 35mm.  Some of Ed Weston and A.Adams portraits would show that look of Ortho.  It is often used on male portraits to give a weathered look.

[Ed Wenn]

Guys, many thanks for the advice. I'll definitely give this technique a go. I'll also try some Ortho film (assuming I can get hold of a roll or two) and compare the differences. Could be fun.

 

[Ed Wenn]

OK, a bit of digging has shown that Ilford only do Ortho film in sheet sizes and not in 120 or 135, but all is not lost; ADOX to the rescue.

"ADOX ORTHO 25

Orthochromatic films exhibit extreme sharpness and the finest grain but are blind to red light which imparts a unique ‘Look’ to the final image – Ortho films pre-date panchromatic films so if you after the vintage feel, this is the one to use. The ortho look is accentuated by high contrast developers such as Neofin Doku, Maco Docufine, Technicol etc but ATM49 also works well. "

(from the Retrophotographic website)

I'll get hold of some and give it a whirl (Shirl).

[beck]

Light is the prime mover in all photography...and in the majority of color and black and white pictures, the light reflected from the subject is colored. Because the perception of a color by the human eye does not always agree with the perception of this same color by film, a filter is often essential to the effective rendition of a subject in the final print.

Different types of films see colors in different ways. By using filters with black and white film, it is possible to control the shades of gray to obtain a technically correct rendition of the subject, or to exaggerate or suppress the tonal differences for visibility, emphasis or other effects.

So I think the blue filter, 80B, is primarily used for color film...a cooling filter with a recomended exposure increase of 1-2/3 stops.

Okay, I got that info from my Vivitar 80B filter instructions...haha. 

Say, can't hurt to use it with B/W right? Right...

[Francois]

I don't see any reason why it would hurt.
My motto when it comes to filters is: If you can see through it, you can take a picture through it
For me, anything transparent is fair game... And when I say anything, I really mean anything 
(The weirdest I ever used was an old scratched-up plastic lens with a hole drilled in the middle. Makes one of the nicest diffusion patterns out there   )

[Ed Wenn]

Quick Update:

I am now the proud owner of ten rolls of ADOX 25ASA Ortho film. Hurrah. One is in the camera as we speak and I've been having fun pointing it at different coloured plants, road signs, shops, houses, people etc. and occasionally using a dark green filter (I don't have a blue one yet). Should get it and a few others processed sometime nest week and will probably do a blog post to describe the various results etc.

[Francois]

Wow! I haven't seen 25ISO in a very long time. If you want fine grain, I think you might have the right stuff.

[cpierce]

Looking forward to your test results, will be interesting with the filters.  Not sure you will get any change with a blue filter on Ortho because the film is only sensitive to blue light.  May just cause longer exposure?   Looking forward to the tests.  Good shooting!

[Francois]

Actually, Ortho film with a blue filter should approximate Panchromatic film... I think

[cpierce]

Any samples from this project?