MSC 258 Multimedia Presentations Color Photography With Excerpts and examples from: Color Photography: A Working Manual Henry Horenstein, Little, Brown & Company, USA, 1995 Photography 8 th. Ed., London, Upton, Stone, Kobré, Brill, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005

Photographing in Color More than 95 percent of all photographs taken are in color. More than 95 percent of all photographs taken are in color. Not that long ago, color photography was looked upon with skepticism by many creative and professional photographers. Not that long ago, color photography was looked upon with skepticism by many creative and professional photographers. Whatever materials and processes are used, it’s still the individual who creates the final result. Whatever materials and processes are used, it’s still the individual who creates the final result.

Shooting color film is in most ways similar to shooting black-and-white film. Load the camera. Load the camera. Adjust the film speed. Adjust the film speed. Set the lens aperture, shutter speed and focus. (or let the camera do any of these things for you) Set the lens aperture, shutter speed and focus. (or let the camera do any of these things for you) Naturally, you also have to consider the content, composition, and subject lighting. Naturally, you also have to consider the content, composition, and subject lighting. Press the shutter button to make the exposure. Press the shutter button to make the exposure.

Color: Additive or Subtractive All colors can be created by mixing three primary colors. All colors can be created by mixing three primary colors. –Additive primaries (red, green, and blue) RGB – used in television sets and computer monitors. RGB – used in television sets and computer monitors. The additive process mixes red, green, & blue light in varying proportions to produce any color. The additive process mixes red, green, & blue light in varying proportions to produce any color. Mixed together at full strength, all three primaries produce white light. Mixed together at full strength, all three primaries produce white light. Additive mixing requires three separate light sources. Additive mixing requires three separate light sources. R G B

Color: Additive or Subtractive All colors can be created by mixing three primary colors. All colors can be created by mixing three primary colors. –Subtractive primaries (cyan, magenta, and yellow) CMYK – used in all modern color films, as well as in printing. CMYK – used in all modern color films, as well as in printing. These colors absorb red, green, and blue wavelengths, thus subtracting them from white light. These colors absorb red, green, and blue wavelengths, thus subtracting them from white light. The subtractive primaries are the complementary colors to the three additive primaries. The subtractive primaries are the complementary colors to the three additive primaries. Mixed all together at full strength, the subtractive primaries absorb all colors of light, producing black (“K”). Mixed all together at full strength, the subtractive primaries absorb all colors of light, producing black (“K”). Mixed in varying proportions, they can produce any color in the spectrum. Mixed in varying proportions, they can produce any color in the spectrum. R G B

Color Photographs: Three Image Layers A color photograph begins as three superimposed black-and-white negatives. A color photograph begins as three superimposed black-and-white negatives. Color film consists of three layers of emulsion, with each layer basically the same as in B & W film, but responding to different parts of the spectrum. Color film consists of three layers of emulsion, with each layer basically the same as in B & W film, but responding to different parts of the spectrum. –The top layer is only sensitive to blue light. –The middle layer records the green light. –The bottom layer is exposed only by red light. Colors are created during development. Colors are created during development. –The developer converts the light-sensitive silver halides in the layers to metallic silver. –As it does so, the developer oxidizes and combines with dye couplers that are either built into the layers of emulsion or added during development A color transparency, for example, has three layers of dye images superimposed on a transparent support. A color transparency, for example, has three layers of dye images superimposed on a transparent support.

Choosing A Color Film Different types and/or brands of color film vary in their color rendition, sharpness, contrast, graininess, and other characteristics. Different types and/or brands of color film vary in their color rendition, sharpness, contrast, graininess, and other characteristics. –Negative films, also called “print films”. »Produce an image that is opposite in colors and density of the original scene. Designed to be printed to create a positive image, usually on paper but occasionally on a clear film base for overheads, etc. Designed to be printed to create a positive image, usually on paper but occasionally on a clear film base for overheads, etc. Color negatives contain an overall orange “mask” which is formed during processing to help control color balance and contrast in printing. Color negatives contain an overall orange “mask” which is formed during processing to help control color balance and contrast in printing. »Usually identified by the suffix – color attached to the manufacturer’s name. Agfacolor, Ektacolor, Fujicolor, Kodacolor, etc. Agfacolor, Ektacolor, Fujicolor, Kodacolor, etc.

Choosing A Color Film –Reversal films, also called “transparency film”. »The film exposed in the camera is processed so that the negative image is reversed to make a positive transparency with the same colors and density as the scene. Designed to be projected or viewed directly and can also be printed or scanned. Designed to be projected or viewed directly and can also be printed or scanned. 35mm transparency films also are called “slide films”. 35mm transparency films also are called “slide films”. –A slide is a transparency framed in cardboard or plastic mount. » Generally identified by the suffix – chrome attached to the manufacturer’s name. Agfachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome, Kodachrome, etc. Agfachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome, Kodachrome, etc.

Choosing A Color Film Professional films are designed for professional photographers, who often have exacting standards, especially for color balance. Professional films are designed for professional photographers, who often have exacting standards, especially for color balance. –Professional films are shipped to the camera store when they are at their peak in terms of: »Color balance »Speed »Contrast –Professional films have a shorter expiration date and should be used immediately and/or kept refrigerated. –Other characteristics of professional films may include: »A heavier film base and a more durable emulsion. »More flexibility in push and pull processing. –Generally more expensive than comparable amateur films.

Choosing A Color Film Consumer oriented films are typically designed and manufactured to different color specifications. Consumer oriented films are typically designed and manufactured to different color specifications. –Amateur films are shipped before they reach their peak so they will reach their optimum color balance some time after they reach the retailer. –Amateur films have a longer expiration date and can be stored at room-temperature.* –An amateur version of a certain film may have more highly saturated color and higher contrast for added impact. »The professional version of the same film may have less intense color & lower contrast for more accurate skin tones & greater subject detail. –Nonprofessionals are more likely to accept some variation in color balance from one roll of film to the next. * Although they are not expected to be refrigerated, they too keep better when kept cool.

Film Characteristics Different types of color film vary in their color rendition, sharpness, contrast, graininess, and other characteristics. Different types of color film vary in their color rendition, sharpness, contrast, graininess, and other characteristics. –Color quality varies widely from film to film. »Some films have a warm bias – others don’t. »Some films produce more saturated (intense) colors than others. »Dyes used by different manufacturers vary. –Film speed (ISO)has an important effect on how film renders a subject. »Slower films generally produce: Greater sharpness. Greater sharpness. Richer Colors Richer Colors Often more contrast. Often more contrast. A less grainy appearance. A less grainy appearance. Higher resolution. Higher resolution. »Practical considerations always come into play.

Exposing Color Films Correct film exposure is the primary factor in determining whether or not you will get good negatives and transparencies. Correct film exposure is the primary factor in determining whether or not you will get good negatives and transparencies. –For the most part, techniques for exposing B & W films also apply to exposing color films. –It’s easier to get good exposures (prints) with negative films than with transparency films. »Negative films have more exposure latitude (margin for error). »Transparency films tolerate very little under or overexposure (1/2 to 2/3 stop). »Unlike negatives, transparencies become lighter with more exposure and darker with less. –There’s more margin for error (latitude) when the lighting is soft (low contrast) than when it’s hard (high contrast).

Exposure Latitude: How Much Can Exposures Vary? Color Negatives – Uncorrected Contact Sheet Transparencies Corrected Print -1 stop -2 stops -3 stops -4 stops -1 stop -2 stops -3 stops -4 stops +1 stop +2 stops +3 stops +4 stops +1 stop +2 stops +3 stops +4 stops

Color films and lighting must be balanced for neutral color. Color film records slight shifts in color balance that result from different types of light bulbs or color shifts in daylight. Color film records slight shifts in color balance that result from different types of light bulbs or color shifts in daylight. Unlike black & white films, color films allow relatively little contrast control. Unlike black & white films, color films allow relatively little contrast control. Subject lighting is a critical factor in determining color balance and contrast. Subject lighting is a critical factor in determining color balance and contrast. The balance of colors in light is measured as color temperature on the Kelvin scale. The balance of colors in light is measured as color temperature on the Kelvin scale. Different color films are made for different color temperatures. Different color films are made for different color temperatures.

Color Balance: Color Temperature 10,000K 9,000K 8,000K 7,000K 6,000K 5,000K 4,000K 3,000K 2,000K 1,000K Cool Colors or “Hues” Warm Colors or “Hues” 5500K } Daylight Film 3200K } Tungsten Film Daylight: Clear Skylight/No Direct Sun + Daylight: Dull, Foggy Weather Daylight: Overcast Sky Electronic Flash Daylight: Noon, Direct Sun Industrial Smog 75 Watt Household Bulb Candlelight 3400K 3200K Photoflood Bulb

Color Balance and the Light Source Daylight Color Film, White Background, Gray Shirt Midday Sunlight SunsetOpen Shade Outdoors Television Monitor Computer Monitor Blue Neon Fluorescent Tube Tungsten Bulb Candlelight

Filters for Black & White Film With black-and-white films, colored filters are used to control the relative lightness and darkness of tones (contrast). With black-and-white films, colored filters are used to control the relative lightness and darkness of tones (contrast). Actual Scene In Color B & W No Filter B & W #8 Yellow Filter B & W #25 Red Filter

Filters for B & W and Color Films Skylight or Ultraviolet Skylight or Ultraviolet Neutral Density Neutral Density Polarizing Polarizing –Darkens Blue Sky –Reduces Reflections Without Polarizing Filter With Polarizing Filter

Filters to Balance Color Filters can correct the color balance. Filters can correct the color balance. –Daylight film – Tungsten light. –Tungsten film – Daylight –Daylight film – Fluorescent light Very long exposures can change color balance. Very long exposures can change color balance. Color balance is more important when making color slides than it is with color negatives. Color balance is more important when making color slides than it is with color negatives.

Filters to Balance Color Filter 85B Filter 80A Filter FL Daylight Film in Fluorescent Light Daylight Film in Fluorescent Light With FL Filter Daylight Film in Natural Daylight Tungsten Film in Tungsten Light Tungsten Film in Daylight Daylight Film in Tungsten Light Tungsten Film in Natural Daylight with 85B Filter Daylight Film in Tungsten Light with 80A Filter

Natural light won’t always provide the color and contrast you want. Varies enormously depending on factors such as: Varies enormously depending on factors such as: »Weather (and other atmospheric conditions) »Time of day Time of dayTime of day »Location »Season Season

Time of day affects color: Specifics may vary with other factors, but typically changes as shown. 6:30 A.M.7:00 A.M.Noon 3:45 P.M.6:00 P.M.8:30 P.M. Light is very cool before dawn.Light warms as the sun rises. Light becomes neutral later in the morning … And stays neutral through the early afternoon. As the sun goes down, the resulting light warms up again … Then cools down after sunset.

Season affects color: From season to season color may change (leaves in the fall or snow in the winter), as does the color temperature of outdoor light. WinterSpring Summer Fall

You can only achieve maximum control over color and contrast by lighting the subject exactly the way you want to – in a studio or totally dark room. Obviously this is not always practical or possible for photographers or marine technicians – Be Aware of the Problems!

Use your references: Photography 9th. Ed., London, Stone, Upton Photography 9th. Ed., London, Stone, Upton Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005 Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005 –Chapter 7 / Color »Pages 138 – 149 »