Show Me Your Night Shots!

[richardman]

Google for some starting timing. Nightscenes (except for the bright city lights) are EV -1000000 or something (OK, I exaggerated) so a meter won't help much. You also need to know about the reciprocity factor (aside: Acros-100 is really good with not much extra exposure needed so may be you should start with that). Also remember that lets say your starting time is 8 minutes, then another 4 minutes would only give you half a stop more. In other words, 8 minutes is not a whole lot different from 9 or even 10 minutes.

[alexn]

I usually shoot Acros 100 as my primary B/W film due to the tones and the great reciprocity, however this particular shot I plan to make with Provia. Reciprocity of Provia is very similar to that of Acros so I at least have that on my side... The train station I intend to photograph is quite bright when all the lights are on... I guess I'll take a series of meter readings around the scene, average them out and see what sort of range I'm dealing with, decide what shadows and highlights I can afford to lose from the image then take that exposure value, add reciprocity and open up the shutter... Worst case, I make one at my desired meter reading, then make another with a stop of extra light... One of them should be useful.. Its very very rare for me to over-expose slides.. I almost always panic, end my exposure too soon and end up with under-exposure

[Jmarmck]

I would not average them out. I would take the brightest spot that you do not want blown out and meter that. Let the blacks fall where they will. It is night after all.

[polyglot]

Apologies if I've posted these before, I couldn't find them in a quick flick back through the thread...

Jetty at Night:

4x5 Provia, Toyo 45A, probably 150mm. Developed in the 5L Fuji E6 kit & a Jobo.

Fringe Lights:

4x5 TMY2, Toyo 45A, probably 240mm; lots of tilt. Xtol 1+1, Jobo.

[ImSoNegative]

I would not average them out. I would take the brightest spot that you do not want blown out and meter that. Let the blacks fall where they will. It is night after all.

that is exactly how I metered mine

[Steve Sherman]

Ilford FP 4 film 20 minute exposure @ f 16.5 Extreme Minimal Agitation Development

[Jmarmck]

Steve, That is VERY COOL! Good point about the agitation.

[Regular Rod]

ILFORD HP5 Plus
OBSIDIAN AQUA 1:500 Semi-Stand 12 minutes @ 20 deg. C
Kodak Model B 6½ x 8½
FUJINON 180mm WS

RR

[polyglot]

Ilford FP 4 film 20 minute exposure @ f 16.5 Extreme Minimal Agitation Development

Awesome control of the SBR there (and a good actual photo too).

[jimmyp]

BOX004 by jimmy.patrick, on Flickr

Speed Graphic, Aero Ektar. Tungsten-balanced film. 8 minute exposure.