Posted by Mike Duncan on August 3, 2006 at 5:39 PM
I've gotten into photography over the last several years and have started taking some nice pictures. I read that slide film (I'm using Velvia) was the best choice for color and clarity, but recently I had someone tell me that slide film isn't as good as "normal" film. Is that true? I've had some trouble with the color of my prints, but I'm not sure whether that is due to the processor or my slides. The color and clarity in my slides look great but my prints look like crap. Should my prints have the same color and clarity as my slides? Any suggesions would be appreciated.
You touch on a lot of different subjects here. The most important thing to keep in mind is that various films differ in many way so any preference is either subjective or dictated by a specific use. There is no one "best" film for all purposes.
With slide film you get a positive image which is great for proofing. Generally you get more saturated color and better detail (less grain), though usually at the cost of exposure latitude. It is also true that many editors prefer or require submissions on slide flim and will not accept negatives (in case you plan on submitting your work for publication). This trend is rapidly changing though as more and more venues opt for digital files.
Your prints should look the way you want them to. This may or may not be exactly the same as your slides/negatives - it's your decision. If you outsource your printing to a lab and request that they match your film then this is exactly what they should do and you should not accept anything different. If you make your own print you need to look into a color-managed workflow to make sure your prints match what you see on your screen.
What Guy said.
And to add to that, Velvia is a great film. That's why most nature pros used it before digital and are still using it now.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 3, 2006 at 9:59 PM
If your slides look the way you want, that should tell you right there that the problem is the service that is scanning and printing them.
Kent in SD
Posted by Robert Helms on August 3, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Mike I agree with what Guy and Rod have said.
If your getting horrible prints from your slides, but yet the slides look good to you on a light box then it could very well be the lab at which you are getting them printed at. I would try sending a slide or two out to a quality lab. The one that gets mentioned the most on NPN I would guess is West Coast Imaging. I personally use The Slideprinter or what is now known as Denver Digital Imaging, I believe, in Colorado. For the most part I have been happy with their work, but I do feel that they are slipping when it comes to making prints from my 4x5 slides. Since I mentioned West Coast Imaging I should add that my next print is going to come from them. Their reputation for quality work has made me curious.
I would still send one to Denver Digital to compare their prints with what you have been receiving from your current lab or at home printer. An 8x10 (12) print won't break the bank and will give you something to compare against what you have been getting.
Discussion
4 repliesThanks,
Mike
With slide film you get a positive image which is great for proofing. Generally you get more saturated color and better detail (less grain), though usually at the cost of exposure latitude. It is also true that many editors prefer or require submissions on slide flim and will not accept negatives (in case you plan on submitting your work for publication). This trend is rapidly changing though as more and more venues opt for digital files.
Your prints should look the way you want them to. This may or may not be exactly the same as your slides/negatives - it's your decision. If you outsource your printing to a lab and request that they match your film then this is exactly what they should do and you should not accept anything different. If you make your own print you need to look into a color-managed workflow to make sure your prints match what you see on your screen.
Guy
And to add to that, Velvia is a great film. That's why most nature pros used it before digital and are still using it now.
Kent in SD
If your getting horrible prints from your slides, but yet the slides look good to you on a light box then it could very well be the lab at which you are getting them printed at. I would try sending a slide or two out to a quality lab. The one that gets mentioned the most on NPN I would guess is West Coast Imaging. I personally use The Slideprinter or what is now known as Denver Digital Imaging, I believe, in Colorado. For the most part I have been happy with their work, but I do feel that they are slipping when it comes to making prints from my 4x5 slides. Since I mentioned West Coast Imaging I should add that my next print is going to come from them. Their reputation for quality work has made me curious.
I would still send one to Denver Digital to compare their prints with what you have been receiving from your current lab or at home printer. An 8x10 (12) print won't break the bank and will give you something to compare against what you have been getting.