Stanley Kubrick, filming "Barry Lindon," wanted to capture dust floating in the air during the bath scene, lit by candlelight; and he had Vivitar make a lens for the 35mm camera that was a 50mm f-1.2 with the film speed at 50 and shutter speed of 1/50th. I hope that helps. S. Shapiro ----- Original Message ----- From: "Philip Wayner" <pwdloge@earthlink.net> To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" <photoforum@listserver.isc.rit.edu> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 9:38 AM Subject: Re: Candlelight photos > Hi: > > The information you received from the priest leaves out one very > important piece of data, what was the film speed? > > Depending on the exposure needed to record low levels of light the film > speed, exposure time, and rate of development are the factors to > consider. > > You mentioned that the Priest used "extended development", this is know > as "Push Processing". Any developer can be used for this kind of > processing. The amount of film speed gain is controlled by the > percentage of extended time based on the normal developing time. > Normally an increase of 100 percent, one lens stop, is > two times the normal development time. > > As you increase the film speed and extend developing times the contrast > of the negative is increased over normal results and there is a loss of > shadow detail and an increase in grain size. > > The "faster" the original film speed the less increase in extended time > is needed. A film speed of 125 would need much more increased > developing time then a film > rated at 3200. > > The activity of the developer formula also has a part in increasing film > speed. This is a matter of the chemicals used. As one person suggested > you could use a paper developer which is much more active than most film > developers. However the results could be very high contrast to the > point where the highlights are blocked. > > The "trick" to low light photography is to learn what exposure is needed > and then determine exposure and development. The limitations then > become what is the > slowest speed for sharp hand held exposures and when is a tripod needed > to get the shot for the film speed used. If it is known before hand > that light levels will be low the obvious thing to do is use the fastest > film speed available. Then if needed, to push process the film in > developing using an active developer or extending the > developing time of the normal developer used. > > Since temperature is also a factor in developing results it is necessary > to have information as to the change of time based on temperature. > There is always a suggested time /temperature combination for a specific > temperature. When developing times are less than 4 minutes due to > increased temperature or chemical activity there is the danger of uneven > development. > > As for trying an experiment with just candle light, this can be done > using a tripod and a time exposure or using a slow shutter speed with a > large f stop. The correct exposure will be based on how the exposure > reading is made and the speed of the film. If done correctly the use of > normal development will work. > > D 76 is a very good formula, it is soft working and can be used for push > processing. The T Max developer is a much more active formula that is > very sensitive to changes in time, temperature and agitation. It can > very quickly reach a point of too much contrast or density with little > changes , thus is not a good choice for extended development. > > Phil > > > > > > >
