I am going to be photographing a very dark skinnned guy soon. I really love to use dramatic lighting, but I have had problems with loosing alot of detail. One of my friends suggested using a green filter and gave me one a while back. Fine, but I have no idea how to use this thing. Can anyone help? (Sorry, I know this is not a processing issue, but I couldn't find anywhere else to ask) Thanks...

-- Lesley (PIENKA@aol.com), October 11, 1997

Answers

You use a green filter by sticking it on the front of the lens (surprise). It is traditionally used in B&W photography to lighten green things (such as grass) and darken Caucasian skin tones.

I suggest you meter the darkest shadows you want to have detail, and open up 2 or 3 stops. Ideally, use a spotmeter, or or meter with the camera held very close to the guy.

Try it with and without the filter. Don't forget to open up more for the filter, probably about 2 stops.

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), October 11, 1997.

suggestions

I dont see the purpose of the green filter with black skin. Take a reading from the darkest area "that you wish to maintain texture" and then "close down" 2 stops. Process slightly (about 10-15%) above normal. In a situation such as this it is always a good idea to shoot a test roll or two or three test exposures to have clip tested to be sure of processing times.

-- jim megargee (mvjim@interport.net), October 11, 1997.

Yes, Jim's right, when I said "I suggest you meter the darkest shadows you want to have detail, and open up 2 or 3 stops" I should have said "...close down...".

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), October 13, 1997.