Hi-

I am starting to conceive a project where I will actually need to increase grain. I am envisoning a grainy almost sooty look. Does any have any film/exposure/developer/temp/time combinations to suggest.

Thanks, John

btw - the final print will be around 11x14 elarged from a 35mm neg

-- John Satterlee (john@silvergelatin.net), November 08, 2001

Answers

One very simple answer is to use print developer; dektol works, as would most any other that has a high hydroquinone content. Kodak D- 19 is designed specifically for the purpose (processing high contrast films for litho), but if you want something you probably already have on hand, print developer should work well. Keep in mind that using these developers will indeed give you "soot and chalk" tonality, with plenty of grain. Expect minimal midrange values.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), November 08, 2001.

We used some TMAX 3200 in class over the summer. I shot mine at EI3200, developed in XTOL, and was suprised at how small the grain really was. The we shot some HIE Infrared. If you want big grain, that's the way to go! You can ignore the IR effects and use it like regular B&W film. You'll probably need to shoot a test roll to figure out the EI, and remember that any light source with lots of IR (sunlight or tungsten) will make the scene brighter.

I'm not sure how to get the "sooty" look.

-- Dave Mueller (dave@photo.net), November 09, 2001.

You might try TMZ3200 in Rodinal (1:50). I just tried it myself and the grain is sharp and crisp and should be obvious at 11x14.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), November 09, 2001.

Max Waldman did some wonderful work with grain in the 50's - 60's. He was able to get a real moody grain pattern and still avoid excessive contrast. That's the trick. Ethol TEC does this to some extent with Tri-X and HP-5. You can also pre-expose your film a little and punch up yor dev.

-- Bruce Wehman (bruce.wehman@hs.utc.com), November 09, 2001.

I agree with Bob, T-Max 3200 in Rodinal. Neopan 1600 in Rodinal also gives you nice grain.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), November 10, 2001.

Try Tmax 400 in Rodinol at 1:25 and you might be surprised at how grainy the film comes out.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), November 10, 2001.

I find TMAX film's grain structure too angular for the "sooty" look. Try experimenting with HP5 or Tri-X in Rodinal, but boost the temperature to 70-72 degrees. "Cooking" the film produces a larger grain structure. You probably want to do some tests to prevent too much over development. Another way to go is to use 2475 recording film processed in Kodak DK-50. It produces an erratic "clumpy" grain. I don't think this film is on the market anymore, so you would have to do some searching, and what you do find is most likely outdate. Good luck. ~K

-- K. Holliday (kitschy@mail.com), November 15, 2001.