Comparing film and digital
24th March 2021
This month I'm looking at four images of two views. Two film images and two digital.
These photos were taken whilst walking our dogs locally between Hollington and Shirley and they are views that have always appealed, particularly the oak tree at the bend in Marsh Hollow. The black and white shots are on film. It's Ilford HP5plus but it expired in 2017. To make things even more interesting, I developed the film in a chemical called Aculux by Patterson. Now this developer became no longer available in 2013 so it is well past its 'sell by date'.
Firstly, a view down Marsh Hollow, the hill from Hollington, in black and white.
Leica M2, Summaron 1:2.8/35mm, orange filter, Ilford HP5plus.
I think the greyness of the day is captured well with black and white film. Especially as this is quite a grainy development of this classic 400iso film. A few years ago, when we first moved to the area, walking up this hill was a daunting task. We were not fit! The weather could make a huge difference to our attitude to walking up it. A sunny day and you could forget how steep it was!
Leica M240, Elmar-M 1:2.8/50mm. Digital.
Also a murky morning after it had rained overnight. I think that the use of colour gives quite a different feel to the same image. If anything, it brightens up the scene. The greens are more saturated after a good wash and have quite a punch even though they may have felt quite subdued on the day.
I think this next shot, on film, has captured how we felt on this morning. Grey, no, very grey! Graininess of the expired HP5plus really does capture the mood.
Leica M2, Summaron 1:2.8/35mm, orange filter, Ilford HP5plus.
It will be interesting this year, now that I have some new film stock and shall be replacing my chemicals, to see how differently this film comes out. Who knows, it might be the same and these may just be the normal characteristics of this traditional film from Ilford.
The oak tree on the corner marks the half way point of one of our more frequently taken walks from home.
Leica M240, Elmar-M 1:2.8/50mm. Digital.
This photo from my M240 shows a view which I find quite heartening. It means we're almost on our way home again. The road bends to the left by the tree and from there we head towards the village of Shirley. However, you may notice, at the foot of the tree, a sign for the public footpath to Ednaston, pointing to the right which we can use as a short cut if we don't feel like going the whole way round. Going that way would cut approximately 2.5 miles off. We don't take the option very often, especially not in the winter as it can be very muddy where it crosses farmer's fields.
Two very similar days following rainy nights, still and overcast with very subdued light showing nicely how differently black and white and colour treat the same scene. You may have noticed that I used two different focal length lenses, 35mm and 50mm. Although the scenes are similar there is a noticeable difference in perspective and distances are shortened by the standard lens compared to the wide angle. The next step would seem to be to take the same shots with my 90mm and see the difference that makes.
Next month I shall be looking at some photos not taken by me. I have been scanning some slide film taken by my Mum with her Kodak Instamatic during the 1960s. I hope it's interesting, it has been for me!
These photos were taken whilst walking our dogs locally between Hollington and Shirley and they are views that have always appealed, particularly the oak tree at the bend in Marsh Hollow. The black and white shots are on film. It's Ilford HP5plus but it expired in 2017. To make things even more interesting, I developed the film in a chemical called Aculux by Patterson. Now this developer became no longer available in 2013 so it is well past its 'sell by date'.
Firstly, a view down Marsh Hollow, the hill from Hollington, in black and white.
Leica M2, Summaron 1:2.8/35mm, orange filter, Ilford HP5plus.
I think the greyness of the day is captured well with black and white film. Especially as this is quite a grainy development of this classic 400iso film. A few years ago, when we first moved to the area, walking up this hill was a daunting task. We were not fit! The weather could make a huge difference to our attitude to walking up it. A sunny day and you could forget how steep it was!
Leica M240, Elmar-M 1:2.8/50mm. Digital.
Also a murky morning after it had rained overnight. I think that the use of colour gives quite a different feel to the same image. If anything, it brightens up the scene. The greens are more saturated after a good wash and have quite a punch even though they may have felt quite subdued on the day.
I think this next shot, on film, has captured how we felt on this morning. Grey, no, very grey! Graininess of the expired HP5plus really does capture the mood.
Leica M2, Summaron 1:2.8/35mm, orange filter, Ilford HP5plus.
It will be interesting this year, now that I have some new film stock and shall be replacing my chemicals, to see how differently this film comes out. Who knows, it might be the same and these may just be the normal characteristics of this traditional film from Ilford.
The oak tree on the corner marks the half way point of one of our more frequently taken walks from home.
Leica M240, Elmar-M 1:2.8/50mm. Digital.
This photo from my M240 shows a view which I find quite heartening. It means we're almost on our way home again. The road bends to the left by the tree and from there we head towards the village of Shirley. However, you may notice, at the foot of the tree, a sign for the public footpath to Ednaston, pointing to the right which we can use as a short cut if we don't feel like going the whole way round. Going that way would cut approximately 2.5 miles off. We don't take the option very often, especially not in the winter as it can be very muddy where it crosses farmer's fields.
Two very similar days following rainy nights, still and overcast with very subdued light showing nicely how differently black and white and colour treat the same scene. You may have noticed that I used two different focal length lenses, 35mm and 50mm. Although the scenes are similar there is a noticeable difference in perspective and distances are shortened by the standard lens compared to the wide angle. The next step would seem to be to take the same shots with my 90mm and see the difference that makes.
Next month I shall be looking at some photos not taken by me. I have been scanning some slide film taken by my Mum with her Kodak Instamatic during the 1960s. I hope it's interesting, it has been for me!
Comments
By Hill: Interesting comparisons David. I prefer the colour from the first two because of the colour. I prefer the black and white from the second,. The sky is more dramatic giving a moody feel to the scene. By David Gibbins: It is interesting how we react differently to the same thing!