slide

Leafy Silhouette

*Leafy Silhouette*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Agfa Scala 200
Model : Olivier

So the Scala gave very different results compared to using the Pan F. For one thing, the background wasn’t anywhere near as blown, resulting in a sea of grey rather than a contrasty black and white. This may have been due to the plant textures being shot on an overcast day, with low contrast. It may also be due to differences in dynamic range between Pan F and Scala. But it did give these shots a paint-like quality that I find quite intriguing, something of an Arcimboldo in black and white feel. What do you think ?

Pensive Manuel

*Pensive Manuel*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Agfa Scala 200
Model : Manuel

Since my first session was experimental, a proof of concept if you will, I tried different films. Agfa Scala was probably not a very intelligent choice though. A combination of low dynamic range and excessive underexposure of the texture shots meant that the background was nowhere near blown enough. And yet… there’s something about these that really works, although I’m not sure I could tell you what.

Goodnight, Rhune!

*Goodnight, Rhune!*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Kodak Ektachrome E100

By the time we headed back to catch the cable car down from the Rhune, dusk was just round the corner. This last shot I took already had dimming light, emphasized by the limited dynamic range of the slide film. It’s a wonderful place though (I wish I could do a dawn from up there) and I highly recommend if it you’re in the area.

Honolulu Squared

*Honolulu Squared*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Agfa CT100

On that glorious sunset in Honolulu, I first took a long exposure shot with the x100F, but I thought that alignment of buildings was just perfect for the XPAN. The shot is slightly underexposed which brings out the blues and purples in the Agfa CT100 slide, but ultimately, I think that brings a really different thing to it that I love.

Over the Bridge

*Over the Bridge*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Fuji Velvia 100

They say that slide is not very good at resolving broad dynamic range, and they are right. Still, sometimes the deep shadows look interesting, and the highlights are not too blown. The magenta cast of the Velvia is out in force here, but I find the result interesting enough.

Street Saxophone

*Street Saxophone*
Canon A2 + Agfa Scala 200

I’m exploring old rolls of film/slide that I didn’t really publish in the past. This is a street shot from Dublin.

Subtle Sunrise

*Subtle Sunrise*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Agfa CT100

I really like Agfa CT100 slide, I think it’s probably my favourite colour film. Of course, its dynamic range is limited, but the colours are just gorgeous, as (I think) this seconds before sunrise shot shows. Makes for a beautiful yet quiet scene.

Through the Trees

*Through the Trees*
Fuji TX2 (XPAN) + Agfa CT 100

It’s not enough to have a beautiful sunset, you need something beyond just the sun and the sea. Here I experimented with radical backlighting. Because I was using slide film, the blacks are very black, but I really like the end result.

Phu Quoc Sunset

(Click to Enlarge)

Phu Quoc Sunset
Fuji TX2, 45mm, 1/100s, f/8, ISO 100
Slide Film: Agfa CT 100 Precisa

I first used Agfa Precisa slide film this summer and I was stunned by the quality of the colours. In preparation for Vietnam this winter I purchased 10 rolls and brought about half as many with me. In the end, due to weather constraints, I could only use one of them. I was stunned again and how gorgeous the colors were, and this sunset particularly stood out. It’s very classic in feel, but the slow fade to black on the right is just magical (I think). I strongly recommend you enlarge this one to really catch the glory of it.

Street Life, China Style

(Click to Enlarge)

Street Life, China Style
Fuji TX2 (XPAN), 45mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 200
Film: Agfa Scala 200

One of the things I find fascinating about the panoramic format when used organically (ie. what you see before you shoot is the panorama) is that it allows you to capture scenes of life in the street in a way that I find much harder with the traditional format. Because what you shoot is so much wider, you can end up with photos with a lot of things happening at the same time. The subject becomes life in the street rather than one single character or event. I don’t pretent to master this process yet, but it’s really something I want to explore. Case in point, during a stroll south of Yu Garden with my photo buddy Tom (who is now back in the US…)