BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Traditional Film Photography

Photography Question 

Sajeev Chacko
 

Pushing a Film


What does *PUSHING A FILM* means ? Does it means that overexposing or underexposing it using ISO setting. For instance,


ISO 400 used at ISO 200

OR

ISO 400 used at ISO 800.


OR is it completely different.

People also do *PUSH FILMS* in their dark rooms. What does that means ?


To love this question, log in above
March 06, 2002

 

Hermann Graf
  Second possibility is true for pushing, first one would be "pulling". Since exposure is not accurate, this has to be corrected in the darkroom by altered development times. Disadvantage: pics become more grainy, slight color shift.


To love this comment, log in above
March 06, 2002

 

Sajeev Chacko
  so *PUSHING* means UNDER-EXPOSING the film. is it done for films of all speeds (especially high speed, 800 ISO and above, and ofcouse low speeds) or just for low speed below 100 ISO. it can be done for all speeds. but what does the general public do. if I shoot with Fuji Provia 100, should it push it to 50 or keep it at 100. and how about Sensia and/or Velvia.


To love this comment, log in above
March 06, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  You only have half of the equation here. Pushing involves underexposing the film and over developing it. If you have ISO 400 film and you push it to 800 you are under exposing by one stop. When you get the film developed you must process with a one stop push. Simply rating a film at a different ISO and not making any adjustments in developing is neither pushing or pulling. You must adjust the development.


To love this comment, log in above
March 07, 2002

 

Sajeev Chacko
 
does the film developers push the film to whatever I want on request. I guess they can do so. since I don't develop myself, I don't know how to do. next time when I give the roll for development, I will request them to *PUSH IT ONE STOP* (is this correct).

anyway, thanks Doug and Jeff for your useful information. I will surely make use of it.


To love this comment, log in above
March 07, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  That's exactly right. Just tell them how many stops to push it.


To love this comment, log in above
March 07, 2002

 
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread