Response to Best Portrait film in natural lighting?

Ted wrote:

"I suggest HP5+, Delta 400 (new), Fuji Neopan 400 or any of the b&w chromogenic films made for processing in C-41 color chemistry. The reason? 400 speed films are inherently lower in contrast than slower films in the ISO 100 range. Also, the higher speed films have more grain and the grain tends to smooth facial imperfections."

Oh, I must say that we all have different taste in photography and portraits! That's great! :-)

However, I recommend a low/medium speed film that you overexpose one step and then shorten the developing time with circa 30%. That will give lower contrast and finer grain. A large aperture and a softfilter will smoothen the skin.

When I shot the portraits I was talking about above, I shot APX 25 and 12 Asa, and used 1/10 sec speed on the shutter... I got very low contrast, but not too low, and I developed the paper, Emaks K888, grade 2, in undiluted Ansco 130. I wish I had a scanner do I could show you the results. :-)

I've heard very good things about Verichrome pan, but that film isn't sold here in Sweden. I hope I can buy a couple of rolls someday before Kodak discontinue it.

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