Hi, I have recently been inspired by Nigel Parry's book "Sharp" containing many celebrity portraits. There was an article about the book (with images)in Hasselblad Forum (3/00) - His portrait of Sir Anthony Hopkins appeared on the cover!! The portraits are stunningly sharp with incredible tonal detail.

My question arise from the fact that I would like to achieve simular quality in my B&W portraits - so am interested to hear peoples opinions on how they were done? I have been using Ilford FP4 Plus and Delta 100 120 film developed in Ilford Plus Developer but the apparent sharpness and tones do not have the same quality as the ones presented in the book!

The question I have are: What film / developer combination are being used by Nigel Parry's as presented in his book "Sharp"?

What is the best way (when developed in?) to achieve fine gain results with FP4 Plus and Delta 100?

What other film / developer combination are worth investigating? Suggestions on exposure vs push / pull processing to increase apparent sharpness?

Suggestions on the best options for "Fine Art" portraits / prints simular to Nigel Parry's?

Thanks for your input and suggestions!!

Cheers David Jenkins

-- David Jenkins (dhjphoto@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001

Answers

Response to Nigel Parry’s B&W Portraits!!

i wonder if he used a tripod, that or a very steady hand just might account for the degree of sharpness.

-- joe rizzuto (rizworks@shaw.ca), November 25, 2001.

Response to Nigel Parry’s B&W Portraits!!

Buy PMK Pyro, The Book of Pyro and calibrate according to the Practical Zone System. I use FP4+ at EI 80 and developed around 7 to 9 minutes (30sec agitation to start, one inversion and back every 15 seconds), water rinse, TF-4 Fixer, used developer afterbath, 20 minute wash and Photoflo. Nigel Parry isn't really fine art. Its celebrity portrait commerical work. Yes, there is a difference.

-- David Payumo (dpayumo@home.com), November 25, 2001.

Response to Nigel Parry’s B&W Portraits!!

David-

You're already using fine-grain Ilford films, so your request "to acheive fine grain results" strikes me as odd. Funny you should mention "apparent sharpness" in the next line as well- this is the definition of acutance! The "triangle" of speed, acutance, and tonality is funny in that you can't advance towards one or two of those without receding away from one or two of those. Methods to reduce grain generally result in poor edge effect, or acutance. This is not the look that I prefer, as it's very soft-looking to me. I am not too concerned with fine grain as I know that I will be happier seeing sharpness, even if grain is noticeable. Your films are finer- grained than my usual 35mm neopan 400, and I'm extremely pleased with the sharpness the Neopan provides me, so I's look for a High- Acutanced developer.

I would suggest Ilfosol-S 1:14 for 10min 68deg. F for Delta 100. Gives me very sharp results in 35mm.

I haven't shot FP4+ enough to recommend any developers, but I'm sure Rodinal will yield a great negative. Check www.Unblinkingeye.com- I'm sure you can find an applicable time.

Hope this helps.

-- Mike DeVoue (karma77@att.net), November 25, 2001.

Response to Nigel Parry’s B&W Portraits!!

""""Neopan provides me, so I's look for a High- Acutanced developer""""

oops, I meant "so I'd look for a High Acutance Developer"

-- Mike DeVoue (karma77@att.net), November 25, 2001.