Maris Rusis
Member
View of Mount Cooroy, Weyba Creek, Hawk.
Gelatin-silver photograph on Agfa Classic MCC 111 VC FB photographic paper, image size 21.3cm X 16.5cm, from a Tmax 100 negative exposed in a Mamiya RB67 rollfilm single lens reflex camera fitted with a 50mm f4.5 lens and #25 red filter.Titled and signed recto, stamped verso.
A riverine landscape with glorious afternoon clouds can be enhanced by the use of a #25 red filter on panchromatic film. Nothing in this scene included a strong blue, even the sky between the clouds was muted, so the effect of the filter would not be so aggressive as to coarsen the sense of luminosity. The filter also worked nicely on the clouds reflected in the water and it also eliminated some atmospheric haze to show the distant mountain better.
Technical precautions included:
Confirming the filter factor. The particular #25 filter used here requires exactly +3 stops of compensation for neutral subjects. This was confirmed in advance by actual exposure and development tests.
Calibrating the light meter. The meter used, a Sekonic L758D, has a light sensor overly sensitive for red and "thinks" there is more red light than actually exists. The error is pretty exactly 1 stop, not great for an expensive meter, but it can be allowed for. Meter readings were directly from the scene not through the filter.
The white part of the clouds was measured and +3 stops more exposure was given to allow for the filter factor. Then another +3 stops was added on top of that to make sure that the white cloud fell on Zone VIII, a white tone with just perceptible density and texture.
Lastly the shaded area of mangroves on the far side of the creek was metered. The Sekonic L758D indicated that after allowing for the red filter this area would fall on Zone V, a mid grey tone. But since shadows are filled with blue light the #25 red filter delivered a stronger effect and the result was Zone IV, a dark grey detailed tone. Nice!
After that there is nothing to do except routine camera work and faithfull processing of light-sensitive materials.