A Cold Walk on the Beach

[Flack]

Well I had big ambitions of taking a few rolls of film out and about on St Annes Beach, but after one roll in this very cold weather my fingers where numb.
First time shooting Ilford Delta 400 on my Bronica SQAi, developed in Xtol replenished for 8.5 mins @20c in my Filmomat rotary processor.
I think my negs are a bit under developed, what does the group think. I like some of the grittyness in the pictures.

 

[Alan Clark]

Flack, If I was wearing a hat I would take it off to you. This is an excellent set of photographs from only one roll. If the weather had been warmer and you had exposed more rolls as planned, you might have come home with a ready-made exhibition!

Alan

 

[John2]

Ditto. That's a story book of St. Annes. Nice.

 

[ian_s]

Particularly like the Beach Kiosk image. It communicates closed for the winter very well

 

[Flack]

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

[SRLP]

Well I had big ambitions of taking a few rolls of film out and about on St Annes Beach, but after one roll in this very cold weather my fingers where numb.
First time shooting Ilford Delta 400 on my Bronica SQAi, developed in Xtol replenished for 8.5 mins @20c in my Filmomat rotary processor.
I think my negs are a bit under developed, what does the group think. I like some of the grittyness in the pictures.

I see what prompted your question. I have no experience developing in Xtol, but I agree with your underdeveloped theory: good shadow detail, but a little flat on the highlight end. Great photos, though.

 

[Flack]

SRLP , I have just done two sheets of Fomapan 100 4x5 in Xtol but this time I souped them for 9:15mins @20C and they look much better than the Delta at 8.5 mins, I know its a different film but some of my other Fpan 100 films looked a bit flat after a shorte time.

 

[Chris J. Zähller]

I think you need to choose between shadow detail and highlight. As they are, the shadows look a bit flat and the sky (clouds) have lots of interesting detail. I like them as they are; I think they'd be less interesting if the sky was blown out.

 

[SRLP]

It is crucial to compare the negatives with the direct scans displayed on your monitor to ensure they match. The scanner and software can make adjustments. Digitising with a camera, as I do, certainly does. I don't think it matters if you are aware and it maintains consistency. We are viewing compressed third-generation digital files here, so only Flack can assess accurately. We may also perceive specific details differently. Chris makes a valid point by reminding us that photographic taste is subjective.