I'm mostly happy with my first results from processing Ilford HP5+ in Kodak XTOL 1:1 developer.
One thing I don't like is the way middle gray skies are rendered. Those areas in the images have a bit more grittiness than I want.
The tonal values of this film and developer combination are nice, and in pictures that do not include large areas of sky I think that the results are quite acceptable.
It is possible that using yellow, red or green filters would help to attenuate the grain issue. I might also try processing with 1:0 undiluted developer. So, I still have some things to learn about this film and XTOL. I am also looking forward to comparing results using XTOL with some other films including TMAX and Kentmere.
Just curious, did you use a red filter for those images with the blue sky? I haven't been happy with HP5+ and red filters, and then I figured out why. It turns out that, according to Ilford's own data sheet, the response level takes a dip when it gets to red sensitivity. I just loaded a fresh roll yesterday (for the first time in many months) and I'm going to shoot it either bare or just with a yellow filter.
ReplyDeleteI didn't use any filter on that roll. It does seem like yellow filter might just be enough to shift the tonality enough to improve the skies. I'll give that a try on the next roll.
ReplyDeleteI keep coming back to the shot of the shadows on the front of the museum. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThere is a nice garden along the south side of the Museum with plantings from all around the state. I often pass that way on morning walks with the dog. Our daughter was the education director for the museum when we first moved to the city.
ReplyDelete