I am a pro who sometimes have sessions for beauty padgeant portfolio black and white pictures. I have had a customer complained that the judges were now looking at the pictures with a magnafying glass checking grain, vs the art and beauty of the subject. The picture with the least grain would be the winner for that subject. Personally, I don't think that is professional or a correct task for a judge, however they have the power over the selections. My question is which developer would be best to develop TMAX 100 Black and White Film.

Also, is there any type paper that would be best? Seems the judges are awarding to the prints with no grain. I have had many winners and now am surprised at this new turn of events.

My emai is mitch@dixie-net.com

Any information from anyone will be very much appreciated.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1997

Answers

Beauty Pageant Portfolio

Sounds like a pretty odd way to judge a beauty pageant...my sympathies. Someone asked that same question (TMAX development) about 30 lines previous to this one. The overall favourite developers for TMAX films are usually TMAX developer, D-76 and XTol.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1997

Have you considered Technical Pan?

I know you said TMax 100, and you've probably considered this, but I have to say that I've heard great things about Tech Pan in Technidol for near-grainless images (at reasonable magnifications, of course). I just bought a couple rolls and intend to try them soon. I'll post my results when I have them. In any event, I agree that that is no way to judge a portfolio! Good luck.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 1997

Try Tmax100 in Ilford ID11 at 1:3 and shoot the models with 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 film. I think someone is pulling your leg on this one as it is the most ASININE thing I have ever heard of for judging any kind of contest. Who is the judge, Fred Picker & the zonal zombies?

-- Anonymous, July 31, 1997

ooh Dan, "zonal zombies". I am not big on Fred Picker but the zone system, thats the finest photography tool to come down the pike since tintypes.

Mitch, I would go straight for the 16 x 20 inch Poloroid camera.

-- Anonymous, July 31, 1997

Head for the door. If the judges have such perverted criteria, they don't deserve your support.

However, I think perhaps we don't fully understand the situation. You are a pro, and your customers have reported this? You haven't seen the judging process?

On a technical front, be aware that reducing the grain may also decrease apparant sharpness.

For the printing, hard contrast papers will show up the grainer more than equivalant softer papers.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 1997