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Wheatfield · 07-29-2008, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by germar

Folks:

I find that one of the most attractive things about shooting film is the wonderful, organic quality of the grain. While digital filters can come close, it just doesn't match the "real thing" of film emulsion. There's something "right" about it to my eye. I've played with Kodak 200 and 400 Gold, and I just love the results from my film scanner. I want more grain, please!

Due to living limitations (wife) I do not have the ability to set up a processing lab, so I'm locked into what I can get from the Walgreens or Target labs. What films (both B&W and color) should I try to get the most grain texture from my negs? Is there anything in-the-camera I can do to enhance the effect?

Thanks!

germar

You are going against the grain, so to speak. Manufacturers try to reduce grain in film because it is considered objectionable.

Anyway, higher ISO films will be grainier than lower ISO films, so try to find the 1600 speed stuff.
Faster if you can get it.

If you underexpose a little bit, you will increase the grain, but at the expense of shadow detail and contrast. If you are processing digitally, you can get the contrast back during that stage.

The easiest thing to do is to shoot looser and crop more. Magnification and grain go hand in hand.

07-29-2008, 07:05 PM	#2
Wheatfield Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Gallery Photos: 0 Posts: 1,243	Originally Posted by germar Folks: I find that one of the most attractive things about shooting film is the wonderful, organic quality of the grain. While digital filters can come close, it just doesn't match the "real thing" of film emulsion. There's something "right" about it to my eye. I've played with Kodak 200 and 400 Gold, and I just love the results from my film scanner. I want more grain, please! Due to living limitations (wife) I do not have the ability to set up a processing lab, so I'm locked into what I can get from the Walgreens or Target labs. What films (both B&W and color) should I try to get the most grain texture from my negs? Is there anything in-the-camera I can do to enhance the effect? Thanks! germar You are going against the grain, so to speak. Manufacturers try to reduce grain in film because it is considered objectionable. Anyway, higher ISO films will be grainier than lower ISO films, so try to find the 1600 speed stuff. Faster if you can get it. If you underexpose a little bit, you will increase the grain, but at the expense of shadow detail and contrast. If you are processing digitally, you can get the contrast back during that stage. The easiest thing to do is to shoot looser and crop more. Magnification and grain go hand in hand.