Re: [APML] Orion's Sword on 400F

[Stephen Pitt <lthuedk@pe.net>]

Matt BenDaniel wrote:
> 
> I significantly adjusted this image.
> 
> Most importantly, I figured out a way to get rid of the anti-vignetting artifacts in Photoshop. AFAICT there are no significant AV artifacts left in this image. I think I can do this with any image now. At some point, I will overhaul my AV article to include the refinements to the technique.
> 
> Also, I saturated the colors somewhat. I don't normally do that, but I think maybe that 400F does not yield vivid colors (as does its sibling 100F). The nebula looks redder now. However, 400F still failed to record the faint red nebulosity that pervades this part of Orion; and I don't think push processing would help (assuming a good scanner). I wonder if hypering this slide film could extend its red response.
> 

Matt: I'm happy you revisited the picture, although it did provoke
some morbidity with just a taste of life and could work as one of
three in 
a tryptic or other multi-panel pictures. Certainly, there were and are
enough grey levels to maintain interest.  

At one time I too was disconcerted but eventually allured by the
qualities of P400F.  It is now my overall favorite film, in that it
doesn't have high contrast but a full scale of values.  I find that
rather unique in a positive film.  Its broad and even palette allows
for greater imaginative manipulation because more options meet the
eye.

Stephen Pitt




> Thanks to John Boudreau for his helpful comments, and to his tireless efforts to test films.
> 
> Also, I should mention that Jerry L's method of "Masking With Layers" (see S&T 1/2001) is still the best way I know to eliminate burnout in slide images. Interestingly, I didn't need to adjust the colors of the masked layers at all. I think that means that 400F has virtually no differential reciprocity failure.
> 
> As much as I've moaned that 400F doesn't "cut the mustard", this is still the best rendition of M42 I've done to date.
> 
> At 03:08 AM 12/12/2001 -0500, Matt BenDaniel wrote:
> >http://people.ne.mediaone.net/mbendaniel1/gallery/astro/sword.html
> >
> >Here's a shot of Orion's Sword on Provia 400F. I think this shot shows the following:
> >* Some lack of red sensitivity (but the sky's poor transparency might also have been a significant factor).
> >* Because it's a slide film, the stars burn out easily.
> >* The graininess is pretty good for a 400 speed film, but not quite as fine as E200's.
> >
> >These are consistent with John's Boudreau's findings. Based on these findings, I am still looking for an excellent 120 astro film.
> >
> >BTW there are anti-vignetting artifacts in this image, a consequence of PS's lack of 16-bit layers.
> 
> --
> Matt BenDaniel
> http://starmatt.com
> 
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