Hi, new to working with B&W Film

Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 17

First of all, Hi I'm new to the site and hope to spend sometime getting to know some of you and bouncing ideas around.

I'm based in the UK and run my own photography business, mainly weddings with a few portraits. I am still in full time employment, not made the leap yet.

However, I came into photography in the digital age. My backgraound was in fine art and graphic design and I spent a lot of time on computer art. I have taught Photoshop in colleges etc.. for several years, so have no real issues with photoshop.

I have been asked by a client to do some B&W prints, but she only wants them from film! She knows my experience with film stopped at a point and shoot camera! But she wants some, not all her prints in B&W but wants some "experimental" images, rather than conversions in photoshop.

So, I have just bought a film camera! I am now going through the process of making sure I know my way around the camera and testing several films out to see which would suit me best.

I will not be processing the prints myself, these will be done at the same labs I use for my digital prints, they still do a lot of traditional printing.

The main thing I keep having to remind my self, is to think in B&W before taking a shot!

I have seen so many shots that started life has colour but did not have the impact, then they were converted to B&W with an arty treatment. They were not originally thought of a B&W images and therefore do not have the best qualities for a B&W print.

My reasoning at the moment for coming to B&W film is client based but I have wanted to do it for a while, just not had the time to dedicate to it. I now have to make the time to make sure I do the best I can for my client, and who knows I may even like it?

I gave this information out, so as you all know where I'm coming from if I start asking obvious questions!