A Heil PR40 Micraphone in the SWCC Studio Pushed two stops
Wikipedia says that Push processing in photography, sometimes called uprating, refers to a film developing technique that increases the effective sensitivity of the film being processed. So that is what this photo project is about. Like anything in photography pushing is a trade off so lets look at the effects on some example photos.
A pretty puppy dog hanging out on campus. TRI-X Pushed one stop
The first thing we can deduce from looking at the first two examples is that when pushing a film from box speed is that we increase the contrast. Looking at the first photo (+2 Stops) and the second (+1 Stop) you can see that the more you push the more contrast you get out of the negative. The next variable to change is noise.
Joe Magee working hard. Shot on Kodak TRI-X and Pushed two stops
When I say noise I am referring to grain. Once again looking at our examples here we can see that the more we push the more grain or "noise" we see introduced into our image. In the photo above we see my dad working at a desk. Look at the upper left of the frame at the lighter colored wall. You can really see the grain here. Another spot to look is his shirt.
A flower next to a window with sunlight hitting it. Kodak TRI-X Pushed one stop.
So If you are wanting to try this all you need to do is:
- 1. Load your camera with film.
- 2. "Rate" that film at a higher speed. Example (ISO/ASA 100 at 200 or 400 at 800 or 1600 Set your meter to the higher speed)
- 3. Then in development experiment with development times starting with the recommended time of the rated (higher) number.
- 4. Repeat and Have fun
If you want to check out some more images from these two rolls of film and more click here!