Favorite for color and b+w?

**Brian Creek** · 8-Sep-2019, 08:56

Howdy,

I know this info is on here somewhere, but not under any of the search strings I've tried to date. What should I be searching for to find recommendations for and warnings about photo labs for processing and printing 4x5 color and b+w fine art stuff? If it really isn't here (or is dated) I'd be grateful if you'd share who y'all use for various projects.

Thanks!

Brian

**neil poulsen** · 8-Sep-2019, 10:18

I let our Lab in Portland run 4x5 sheet film just as they process all their films.

Perhaps the the interaction of which you're thinking occurs when you need to optimize individual sheets?

For example, after exposing two sheets of transparency film for a given image, you can ask them not to process one side. (Assume both are in the same holder.) Once the processed transparency is done, you have the option of pushing (darken) or pulling (lighten) the second by a specified amount (1/4, 1/3, 1/2 stop?) to get the highlights just right.

A good lab can track the particular holder and side for each sheet. So, if you have labels on the holder for sheets of film as they were exposed, you can trace them to the sheet of processed film.

If you're involved with testing, you can ask them to take measurements with a densitometer. (Like for checking film speed.)

If a lab does both machine processing and dip and dunk for roll film, I would opt for the latter.

I'm sure there are other interactions with which I'm not familiar.