Shooting film in very dull conditions

[Mark ashfield]

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Hi ,has i am a newbi to 35 mm film need advice on shooting in very dull conditions with my m6 .regards mark.

[Guest]

Not sure what exactly you want to know. If dull means overcast sky, I like it. If you shoot slide film, overcast sky is less of a challenge in terms of the limited contrast slide films can handle. Personally, I like to shoot close-ups of flowers on cloudy days. Compared to blue sky, the colours come out much nicer. Also, some architecture looks much better with overcast sky. Here is a recent example of mine:

Due to the overcast sky, the picture almost appears as monochrome. I like that.

[spydrxx]

You don't say specifics of what you want answered, so I'll take a stab at it. Low light conditions usually mean either slow shutter speeds or large apertures, or both. To minimize the use of these try using a higher ISO film. If you have to go with slow speeds, either use a tripod, monopod, or other support like a beanbag. With practice you should be able to go down to 1/30 sec handheld...but you definitely will see evidence of some blurring. Putts, in his experiments, found evidence of blurring at speeds below 1/500...although it was almost insignificant excepting in huge enlargements. Many folks love to use large apertures, even though most lenses aren't optimized wide open, but rather 1-2 stops closed down. Nevertheless, very appealing artistic effects can be achieved wide open, but you have very narrow depth of field (areas of sharp focus). So, you need to determine what it is you are attempting to achieve in low light situations, to make the proper choices. I hope this gives you some guidance.

[TomB_tx]

In dull conditions a higher contrast film can also be pleasing. For example in color negative maybe try Ektra instead of Portra. These days ISO 100 sounds low, but I used to shoot Kodachrome 25 normally, but Kodachrome 64 in dull lighting for its higher contrast.

[250swb]

There is nothing better than a dull foggy day and a roll of B&W film. If hand holding the camera in dull weather use a fast film, 400 ISO or faster, or if you want full control over shutter, aperture, and grain use a slower film and a tripod.

[Laurentß]

I like to carry a flash or LED constant light with me.

Even if conditions are good, it brings more options to light up the subject.

[Ko.Fe.]

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Trust your M6 meter.  Dull or not conditions. :).

[skucera]

Mark,

If you mean dull as in photographing under leaden, overcast skies, then don't worry.  Black and white photography isn't much affected by dull skies.  If you're photographing color film, then gray skies can really make colors in the environment really pop.  The classic "Kodak cloudy bright" day can make for extremely colorful photos and slides in the spring and summer, and in amazing fall colors too.  Also, a snowy day can be a challenge, with everything being white or gray, but if you shoot people in snow then you'll often get great results.

Don't be reluctant to get out there in any weather or lighting to try out photography.  There are lots of articles on the internet about doing photography in all sorts of different lighting conditions.  Google can be your friend.  Read up to get some ideas, and then get out there to try them out.

Good luck,

Scott

[jmahto]

On 12/8/2018 at 2:58 AM, Mark ashfield said:

Hi ,has i am a newbi to 35 mm film need advice on shooting in very dull conditions with my m6 .regards mark.

I will second other's advice above about B&W in dull overcast conditions. But in general you decide what mood you want to create in your pictures. Shoot and learn is the best teacher.

This picture was shot in full overcast sky (M2 and Tri-X).