Recently I wrote a post sharing why I am now using what we in the UK call Sunny 11 over Sunny 16 and here is the evidence showing it works
I used Kodak Gold 200 , my go to colour film, in 120 format via my Rolleiflex 3.5f and Hasselblad 500 c/m, using C-41 developer at 38 degrees C at the prescribed times.
Also I share here my settings for Silverfast Ai studio, my negative scanning software of choice, on the Epsom V850 scanner.
I hope you can see that the final images have had the lightest of edits, as the developed negatives have all the tones and colour pallet I have been looking for in colour film.
So without further a do here are the ones shot on the Rolleiflex
And next are the ones shot on the Hasselblad
You can clearly see that the Sunny 11 rule for the UK really works a treat and the settings for the shutter speed, roughly 2/3rd or 1 stop slower, gives the film bucket loads of light to soak your image right into the emulsion.
Now if you allow me to be a little indulgent I will pick 2 or 3 images from above to add a little more detail on what I was thinking when taking them.
My New Profile Picture.
Whilst walking around Ealing in West London, testing the Sunny 11 rule, I took this shot on the Hasselblad because this partially mirror reflective office window offered me a chance to pay homage to the wonderful Vivian Maier.
The window was in slight shadow so I gave the film more light by setting the aperture to f/5.6 which in turn gave me the look I was hoping for.
This is now my profile picture for all my social media sites. Proudly.
Honest guv I’m not drunk.
This was the first shot on my Rolleiflex which after taking the shot, would not let me advance in the normal way.
I was able to shoot again and then advance to frame 2 which I did while lifting the camera up a bit.
This ended up giving me a pleasing accidental double exposure
Layers of light
Shot on the Hasselblad at one of my current favorite locations, the sun bathed this scene with light covering the front and the very back, through holes in the roof, making it easy to grab an image of the scene with balanced light falling right through it.
All I did here was open the lens up to f/8 to make sure the darkest areas got more light on the film, knowing the film could handle another stop of light before blowing out the highlights.
Really impressed with the way the camera, lens and Kodak Gold handled this.
I am loving the freedom Sunny 11 (Sunny 16 for those closer to the equator than me in the UK) and the knowledge that Kodak Gold 200 can handle me abuse using it.
Kodak Gold 200 is giving me a very easy time in final editing, like none or very little needed, to deliver images offering the 80’s look and feel I enjoy so much.
My video below not only shows you the conditions captured via my GoPro but also confirms the look and feel of the negatives gave leading to the minor editing needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF6dR-SYO9Y
Photography should be fun.
As I and others have been saying a lot lately, photography first and for most should be fun and if it is not, then learning to think less about the gear and more on the image you are capturing, might bring that fun back for you.
If you are in the UK give Sunny 11 ago, and maybe the shutter speed tweak also, and see how easy it makes taking the photographs you want rather than faffing about attempting to get al the technical’s right.
As always I wish you well
DC x