Fun with Grain

benjikan · 03-17-2008, 02:48 AM

Before shooting digital, I often loved using Agfa 1000 iso and Fuji 800/1600 iso film. I loved the surreal aspect of the outcome. I plan on doing my next shoot with the intent of getting grain. I may shoot at 1250 to 1600 for that purpose or shoot at 100 iso and add grain in PP.

None the less for those in the states check out the Spring issue of Surface magazine number 70 Spring Issue. Grain all over the place. Pages 130 through the whole series and pages 148.

That 80's look is back in Fashion.

Ben

benjikan · 03-17-2008, 05:41 AM

Go to ADD NOISE in the PS menu and choose UNIFORM at 4 percent. Renders gradations beautifully especially in print.

Ben

Romoman · 03-17-2008, 08:55 AM

What step in your post would you do this?

I'm trying to increase my post processing (i.e. photoshop) skills and have been trying to figure out the right sequence and methods. I would assume this is right after sharpening?

OniFactor · 03-17-2008, 09:20 AM

personally, i'd save grain for a last addition, or keep it on a layer above everything else, as you'd alter it with the change of other things..

woof · 03-17-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

Go to ADD NOISE in the PS menu and choose UNIFORM at 4 percent. Renders gradations beautifully especially in print.

If you were shooting fast film, I am sure you are familiar with "pushing." Think about how you might accomplish the same thing with digital...

I've had luck with underexposing by a couple of stops, then "pushing" the exposure in PS (Elements) using auto levels or by manually bringing the levels up. I have not tried using an adjustment layer and setting the mode to "Screen" but that might work as well.

With black & white it looks like this... I personally find this technique gratifying as it feels less contrived and more like the real thing. While everything is in some manner software, the information inherent to the grain in this photo was there at capture methinks.

lithos · 03-17-2008, 10:39 AM

This has gotta be one of my favourites:

Kodak Portra 800, pushed to 3200 IIRC. f1.7 50mm Rikenon.

Tom M · 03-17-2008, 11:41 AM

You can get nice grain by using a slower film and then scanning as well..

Kodak Gold 200, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome

Kodak Gold 200, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome

Kodak BW400CN, scanned at 1200dpi monochrome

Konica 400CN, scanned at 1200dpi abstract

Kodak BW400CN, scanned at 1200dpi abstract

Konica 400CN, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome

Sorry, no portraits posted online

woof · 03-17-2008, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by woof

If you were shooting fast film, I am sure you are familiar with "pushing." Think about how you might accomplish the same thing with digital...

So I have to clarify here that the photo in my response to the thread is digital and that it is the result of a deliberate attempt to do something equivalent to "pushing" film.

That said, thanks for the film examples ... The whole reason I experimented with digital "pushing" was precisely because I love the effect, and a member here kind of hinted that you could and showed a really interesting example. Got me to thinking....

woof

benjikan · 03-18-2008, 12:23 AM

Originally posted by OniFactor

personally, i'd save grain for a last addition, or keep it on a layer above everything else, as you'd alter it with the change of other things..

Ditto....

Ben

03-17-2008, 02:48 AM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Fun with Grain Before shooting digital, I often loved using Agfa 1000 iso and Fuji 800/1600 iso film. I loved the surreal aspect of the outcome. I plan on doing my next shoot with the intent of getting grain. I may shoot at 1250 to 1600 for that purpose or shoot at 100 iso and add grain in PP. None the less for those in the states check out the Spring issue of Surface magazine number 70 Spring Issue. Grain all over the place. Pages 130 through the whole series and pages 148. That 80's look is back in Fashion. Ben

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03-17-2008, 05:41 AM	#2
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Go to ADD NOISE in the PS menu and choose UNIFORM at 4 percent. Renders gradations beautifully especially in print. Ben

03-17-2008, 08:55 AM	#3
Romoman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 126	What step in your post would you do this? I'm trying to increase my post processing (i.e. photoshop) skills and have been trying to figure out the right sequence and methods. I would assume this is right after sharpening?

03-17-2008, 09:20 AM	#4
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	personally, i'd save grain for a last addition, or keep it on a layer above everything else, as you'd alter it with the change of other things..

03-17-2008, 10:09 AM	#5
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by benjikan Go to ADD NOISE in the PS menu and choose UNIFORM at 4 percent. Renders gradations beautifully especially in print. If you were shooting fast film, I am sure you are familiar with "pushing." Think about how you might accomplish the same thing with digital... I've had luck with underexposing by a couple of stops, then "pushing" the exposure in PS (Elements) using auto levels or by manually bringing the levels up. I have not tried using an adjustment layer and setting the mode to "Screen" but that might work as well. With black & white it looks like this... I personally find this technique gratifying as it feels less contrived and more like the real thing. While everything is in some manner software, the information inherent to the grain in this photo was there at capture methinks.

03-17-2008, 10:39 AM	#6
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	This has gotta be one of my favourites: Kodak Portra 800, pushed to 3200 IIRC. f1.7 50mm Rikenon.

03-17-2008, 11:41 AM	#7
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	You can get nice grain by using a slower film and then scanning as well.. Kodak Gold 200, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome Kodak Gold 200, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome Kodak BW400CN, scanned at 1200dpi monochrome Konica 400CN, scanned at 1200dpi abstract Kodak BW400CN, scanned at 1200dpi abstract Konica 400CN, scanned at 1200dpi and converted to B&W monochrome Sorry, no portraits posted online

03-17-2008, 05:32 PM	#8
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by woof If you were shooting fast film, I am sure you are familiar with "pushing." Think about how you might accomplish the same thing with digital... So I have to clarify here that the photo in my response to the thread is digital and that it is the result of a deliberate attempt to do something equivalent to "pushing" film. That said, thanks for the film examples ... The whole reason I experimented with digital "pushing" was precisely because I love the effect, and a member here kind of hinted that you could and showed a really interesting example. Got me to thinking.... woof

03-18-2008, 12:23 AM	#9
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by OniFactor personally, i'd save grain for a last addition, or keep it on a layer above everything else, as you'd alter it with the change of other things.. Ditto.... Ben