How to get a pictorial look for a brief assignment from modern lenses?

[John Powers]

I am one week into a five week alt process course working in traditional blue Cyanotype and Van Dyke brown processes. I am shooting 8x10 and the HP5 that I have. For one of the assignments the professor would like us to set up and shoot in the pictorial style with a normal lens. I have a 12” Dagor and a 300mm APO Symmar. What can I do to tone down these sharp lenses to achieve the fussy blurred look of the pictorial style? I can’t buy a lens and learn how to use it in the time and budget allowed.

Can I shoot through some material to filter out the sharpness and add graininess? I develop with Rollo Pyro in a Jobo CPP-2. Is there anything in the development process to change? All suggestions appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

John

[Robert Hughes]

Do what Hollywood used to do: smear a donut-shaped ring of Vaseline on a sheet of glass & hold in front of the lens.

[goamules]

Or try taking the front element off the Dagor.

[Mark Woods]

A really nice effect is to get a stocking and put it on the front of the lens with a rubber band. Be sure to stretch it and take note of the weave because your highlights will bloom in those directions. If you don't want an overall soft effect, you can burn a hole in the net with a match or cigarette. Different stockings will give you different effects. BTW, Haskell Wexler shot Bound for Glory with a $.99 stocking from Walmart. Good luck.

[benrains]

The idea of using a little vaseline on a sheet of glass, or on a screw on lens filter, placed at the front of the lens would work. Another option to consider would be to stretch some see through fabric over the front of the lens. An old pair of standard flesh colored nylon stockings would work, and maybe experiment with white and black colored ones to see if the flare/diffusion effect is different with the different colors (I'd expect the white to give a more blown-out effect). Other types of fabrics to try would be gauze, cheesecloth, or even the netting that things like bags of onions or potatoes come in at grocery stores.

If you want to increase the grain,of the film (which may be challenging with 8x10 sized HP5+) try pushing the film a stop or two to 800 or 1600 and then compensate with your developing. And I'd suggest using Rodinal as your developer.

[John Powers]

These are great ideas that are certainly affordable and can be done right away. Thank you. Any additional thoughts?

John

[BarryS]

--Fog the lens with your breath before exposure

--Split the total exposure into two exposures--one with the lens focused normally, and one with the lens defocused.

--kick the tripod leg during exposure

[Robert Hughes]

Another option to consider would be to stretch some see through fabric over the front of the lens.

Hollywood cinematographers use black nets (stockings) on the back of the lens, closest to the film gate. I used to remember why - maybe to cut down on spurious reflections.

[Jim Galli]

Roll the front out to 12 or 14 inches and put a pin hole on.

[Louis Pacilla]

Hi John

You may want to check out Google books. I have around 1000 free full view magazines & books that range from 1860's-1940's. Tones of great "how to" from the pictorial masters as well as great images .
One thing I have read time & time again is Most of the Pictorial photographers (before the great abundance of & easy access to Diffused focus lenses ) seemed to use Good Old Rapid Rectilinears way after the excellent Protar, Tessar ,Dagor & alike where around .