Image Review: Route 66 + Portra vs. Velvia

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And check out my online course all about light metering for film photography: www.nickcarver...
This video is a follow-up image review/critique/discussion/thing for my "Photography On Location: Route 66" video (be sure to check that out first (link below).
Watch this on-location video first: • Photography On Locatio...
In this video, I will dive deeper into my thought process behind these photos and I will also explain some of the technical aspects involved with creating these images. For instance, dynamic range is a very important topic to consider when choosing film for your medium format, large format, or 35mm camera. A good photographer should understand the contrast characteristics of their film so as to maximize image quality and creative control.
Here I explain how dynamic range works and how different dynamic ranges impact the final look of your photos. I specifically compare Fujifilm Velvia 100 film to Kodak Portra 160 shot in a 6x17 format, but the topics discussed apply equally to all transparency film and negative film stocks.
I also review the photos I made using Polaroid film and all of the images I created with my Mamiya RZ67.
This video is for the diehard photography junkies out there, whether analog film photography is your thing or you're a straight-up digital photographer, I hope you'll find something interesting and useful in this video.
Please visit my website for more videos, tips, how-to's, online photography courses, and more! Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and please give this video a thumbs up!
Subscribe to my KZbin channel at www.youtube.com...

[@giorgiomattiuzzo5311]

Man, no need to post more if that means lowering the quality of your videos. I really enjoy them because they are good, not because they are many. Please don't be like all those phototubers who turned their channels into marketing devices. Keep doing what you're doing

[@nickcarverphoto]

That's exactly what I need to hear. That's what my gut tells me, but it's great to hear from a viewer, too.

[@Crimdog]

2nd! Stumbled across your videos and was blown away with the quality and style, love it! Even more so when compared to the gear-centric content of other channels everyone else produces. Keep it up, really enjoy them!

[@realitytunnel]

Completely. I can't stand all those gear-centric, comparometer, clickbait, fix-it-in-Photoshop channels which aren't about photography at all. Here it's all killer, no filler.

[@Juanamieva_]

@@nickcarverphoto son of a beast you are, greetins from spain!

[@TheSapphireflyer]

Please do a video on correct metering on film!

[@wilson_law]

Aw what.. You had me so hooked on the binder... Sad...

[@gortatpiotr]

Absolutely best fine art photography channel I've seen so far and I really doubt if there is any better out there. The way you work in focus and the pictures are amazing. And btw. I'm the same when it comes to picking one and "the best" way of editing photos. I literaly do the same: - this one it's okay 5 minutes later: - hm, warmer tones looks better Cheers and thanks for the videos :)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you very much! There are some great channels out there, so that's saying a lot.

[@okoelle]

I got so much love for you for going out with two films, creating your own dilemma in post :))) so good and funny. 🤣

[@CDRews-ik6cd]

"One percent to the left - one percent to the right" And I thought I'm the only one who's got these problems. :) Great.

[@dialac1]

Glad to have you back. I always look forward to your videos. And for people like me who are fascinated by film but are so crippled photographically to take on the daunting task of shooting film, it helps A LOT when you throw in brief tutorials on why you’re using each each equipment. Would also love if you threw in tips on metering from time to time. Truly appreciate the effort you put into these videos. Keep up the good work!

[@tomhamp2915]

Outstanding video, as are all your videos…excellent combination of artistic and technical… AND, thanks for explaining the source for the metal binders…will not give up looking!!! 😊

[@romiemiller3093]

I live on Rt.66, so I have a lot of local'66 photos. I do like the two videos you've done on '66 in Ca. Mine are in NM. Fun to watch the videos.

[@ivm1058]

"There's too many options man!" I feel you brother... Glad you're back to making more videos regularly, really enjoy them. Keep up the good work.

[@DenisJust]

Your on location videos/reviews are amazing and some of the very best on youtube. Please keep on doing that and be inspired!!! I appreciate all the technicalities, montages, music and humor! Thanks a ton.

[@emburaman]

Awesome results and thanks for sharing your though process on taking the shots!!

[@Vesalempinen]

I think that double exposed was also great. it had somewhat mythic feel to it with all the colors in the palette.

[@bryanswisshelm941]

I find myself rewatching your videos! Love your work!

[@Super.Quasar]

Love your videos, Nick. Motivated me to jump on a 617 after contemplating for many years.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks for the compliment on my videos! The 90mm SW has an image circle of 154mm only at the widest aperture, which I never really use. The image circle is 235mm at f/16. Sources: galerie-photo.com/manuels/nikkor-lenses-for-large-format%20cameras.pdf and www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF4x5in.html

[@alissayoo]

your indecisiveness is too relatable. thanks for yet another informative video!

[@bobsykes]

These videos are amazing. I shoot mostly digital now, primarily because of time, digital allows me to shoot more, but your videos are awesome lessons in the fundamentals that make every photograph good. Thank you!

[@ThomasClemens]

Great pictures! I do not shoot film very often, but in the last couple of month, Porta 160 became my favorite color film. Keep on doing this great work!

[@baumstanz]

One of the best velvia portra comparisons I have seen. Mainly because the pictures are relevant to you and not stupid test pictures. Thanks!

[@CaravanCamera]

Hey Nick! I just want to say how refreshing it is to see you on KZbin, finally someone with a respect for craft, and a strive to perfection and is actually a great photographer!! I will add two things that will help your color balance struggles. Firstly, get a color meter - You can get a Minolta Color Meter II for about $200. A few tests and you can determine what is the correct balance for the film of your choice. Then each time you scan film, you can just set levels to make the film edge black, and you'll have perfect color each time :)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Ethan Ingram thank you very much! I'm interested about the color meter. I've used one before and I know it's very useful for setting white balance on a digital camera, but I can't picture how that would translate to getting a better color balance on a film scan. Do you know of any articles or videos that explain this further?

[@CaravanCamera]

This is going to sound archaic, and a bit long form, but hear me through. What you want to do, is create a color and exposure standard for each film you are using. So you setup a test of a grey card (or an xrite passport) in open shade, use the color meter to determine that the shade is daylight kelvin, or if you need to add a certain CC filter to match. Take a series of text exposures bracketed in half stops. Have it developed normally. Scan all shots in, find the one that gives the appropriate exposure value on the grey card for that scanner. That is your appropriate film EI for scanning. You should then be able to set the film border as maximum black and have the color and exposure dead on in one shot. Its similar to setting up a color filter pack for traditional printing. You need to establish a baseline for the film that creates neutral color. Once you get that setup, each time you scan a film, you'll be dead on, (providing you're cc filtering your images in camera - again, color meter gets handy there) and will just need to adjust the contrast a bit. P.S. I'm in Los Angeles myself, and would love to go shooting with you sometime!

[@farouk6564]

Porta 400 shots look really cool and that last shot with the diagonal shadows, top draw. As always I will be looking forward to your next video. Long live film

[@fishtacoguy]

Just stumbled on your video series while looking for reviews on the RB67, good stuff! You put together a technically sound video while still providing a bit of humor and giving us a look at the finished images-even the ones you made mistakes on! Nice to see, your approach is refreshing.

[@graemehayhoe3141]

Your knowledge is inspiring and I love your free-spirited style of delivery. Really loved this vid and am already looking forward to the next one!

[@chrislim6851]

Really love your work and videos, very inspiring! That double exposure doesn't look all bad actually as the one building falls almost perfectly between the other two. Also, gives it a very ghost town feel. Looking forward to more videos, esp about film photography!

[@MrAndrewChung]

your videos are excellent, clear, precise, witty and frank.

[@mikhailfomin3851]

Every Nick`s video is just amazing work and great research. Priceless channel.

[@pradheep88]

Nick I’m really addicted to your videos.

[@realitytunnel]

Loved this and the Route 66 video. Just awesome images, love the location, love the subject matter, love the dedication to your craft.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you very much!

[@AustinMattison]

WTB Welding Building print on Portra. Great follow-up!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Austin Mattison thanks man! And funny you should say that because I'm hoping to eventually make a big print of that exact image. And make a video of the process, of course.

[@bobsykes]

Re-watching this as you are a great teacher.

[@nzdigital]

Amazing channel Nick. Love your images, your perspective and your sense of humour. More, more, more....please 😁

[@arcana1973]

Thanks for the lesson. Fun and informative. Hope to see more in the future

[@mrdolby]

I really love the way you present your video, very unique style, plus the content is always great too

[@billpickle2875]

Crazy amount of detail in those shots. Great work man

[@KoenigF50]

Dude your channel is awesome! So glad I found it. Keep up the great work, can't wait to see the next video. Merry Christmas !

[@danfry909]

Thanks Nick great video again, superb work. Glad I'm not the only one with image tweaking issues!

[@simplestickman5513]

Accept it, this are great photos, don't let ego to interfere. Your ego is saying it is way too simple, but it is not. Just follow your heart :) And thanks for your videos, makes me wanna do photography watching your enthusiasm for it.

[@shawnmiller4440]

Just stumbled onto this channel, and so glad I did. Fantastic work, both the photos and the video output!

[@saldun70]

Please do do more photo trip vids. Awesome! I watch a lot of these photo channels, and yours is by far the best, imo.

[@parratt-world]

Nick, if that double exposure were mine, I'd probably print and frame it. I love it. People will be forever asking you how you did it. So you can reply: "One just has to be at the right place the right place at the right time the right time." ♡

[@canturgan]

The Portra looks nice, the colour is more neutral. Portra was designed principally for flesh tones, it would be nice to see some examples that include people for comparison. Good video.

[@lohikarhu734]

Hi Nick, thanks for the video... I shot a LOT of Velvia, 35 & 6x7, and would often shoot, in the desert, or places like Hawaii, with 1/2-2/3 stop overexposure, and the same amount of 'pull' processing, which allowed me to shoot a 20-step Kodak card with gradation at every step...

[@digitalportraitist]

Nick your videos are awesome really well done. I have been a photographer for many years and you are wise beyond your years and you do beautiful work.

[@danieldiaz6424]

I always learn something new with your videos! Thank you!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Really enjoying these videos Nick. So nice to see the process and thoughts behind your work, and enthusing me to pick up my film camera and get out in the landscape!

[@HoLeeChit11]

You Sir, are one heck of a photographer. Best damn photographer this side of Texas.

[@CedricMessemanne]

One of the few videos I watched in normal speed ... Really interesting, thank you!

[@michael_house]

That double exposure you hate - is my favorite. :D

[@efdesilva]

Love them all! But I really love the "mistake" at the end with the double exposure!

[@percyli8032]

the greatest video about films on KZbin. love your content especially when you're talking about the adjustment of the negs... that's the forever pain on every film shooter. looking forward to more videos! and subscribed!

[@kdel]

On Location videos with the follow ups are great, would love to see more.

[@andreauppsala1752]

Lovely video... thanks for sharing your process... interesting panorama style compositions...

[@johnmanuel9354]

Try the Color Checker Passport - at each site include it in one of the picks. Also you can use their software to make a profile of each film like they do to profile each camera.

[@greglong2784]

Another great video. As for the accidental double exposure first looks like an interesting image and second nice to see that even professionals make mistakes too. Thank you for sharing your mistake.

[@andrewbartram2478]

Nick and great and informative video. I shoot hardly any slide film but with your generous sharing of knowledge I will put some velvia 50 in my 6x17 back

[@Garyjonesphotos]

Love the 6x17 format! One of these days I'm going to get a Fuju GX617 again and some Velvia and take enjoy slowing down to compose and shoot. Nice compositions!

[@mfiorentino]

Great with some perspective on your trip. Thank you. Keep up the great work. Your style and personality coupled with your insights makes this one of the best photography vlogs out there. More people should know about it.

[@Conetik]

incredible videos, cheers! I follow you from yesterday, but I have already seen many of your videos and I really like the format.

[@stephenlloydco]

For what its worth, I prefer the building with no roof at 13' in Portra. I just think the softer look really suits it. Great video Nick, keep them coming. :-)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeah I'm leaning towards that one too. Thank you!

[@criostoirocuinn]

Me too I think

[@MinsanSauers]

Completely relate-able! "Addicted to variety" is totally me too. Now going to eBay to find discontinued film to shoot before I can't get it anymore...

[@TheMrBennito]

how did I get here?! Informing myself on negative vs slide film. Just luck, I guess. What an enormous amount of useful info, mr. Carver!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Glad you found me. Thanks for watching!

[@jamiesmith7509]

Absolutely love the content of your videos. Love your delivery in front of the camera too 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@Katana2040]

You had me at Rz67, and Millennial graphite. Well done!

[@chrismofer]

I 100% feel that centering /wes anderson need when i shoot medium format. the square frame and a simple subject let you play with the lines that guide your eyes around so much.

[@MrGroady]

Awesome yet again! Thanks for the heads up re the use of the SB lenses with the Tilt/Shift adapter. Since I don't shoot so much architecture, I might give it a miss. I don't have the 75mm sb lens either....btw, I much preferred the Portra for nearly everything you shot. Strong light and Velvia is too much I feel, but great in soft light. So nice to have a channel that devotes time to quality film work and I like the behind the scenes aspect. Good job.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Joe Rainbow thank you very much!

[@HuntaDaKilla]

Great videos. Just best to do what you can do. I would rather see one video a month, rather than have a few a month and not see you for a long time after. Whatever you do, you do it well and your work is appreciated.

[@ChritsianBucic]

Super interesting your comparaison and about the dynamic range, it more understanding to me now.

[@MurphysFilm]

great explanation about the dynamic range of slide vs negative film and i have to say i really like the double exposed image i think it come out great

[@antone1229]

great video Nick. love how you take the time to explain the whole process

[@BillMcCarroll]

So good Nick and good to know you're human like the rest of us. TBH, I'd be totally experimenting and guessing on multiple filter exposures. That would be a good video just by itself. Hope you can keep these coming Nick.

[@bhartitarang]

Man! Ur a legend! Your set up looks soo OCD. In a very good way. Gave me the motivation to organise ! Cheers

[@Patsesson]

Yes! Another cool video, and superb shots also! Cant wait for the next one.

[@DesertPackrat]

Kodak Porta for your favorite building had a more sun-drenched mood that I liked better. The more saturated Velvia gave to much color happiness to a scene that needed more depression and solitude.

[@VannApragal]

Never used anything other than Portra my entire life. Blows my mind why anyone would use anything else nowadays, where you tweak color every which way possible.

[@jdsd771007]

I recently found your page. Ive been enjoying all your videos! Great shooting and commentary/narration. Inspired me to slow down and get back to some film shooting again! Thanks for the awesome vids!

[@markmcmullan3351]

Love these videos Nick can't believe I haven't seen you on here before now excellent series of vids and great honest content with humour . Right up my street . Shout out from Ireland .

[@roberthanchett8997]

Enjoyed your video. Reminded me of my brother Chet that use to do a lot of large format work. In fact he developed a panoramic camera called the v pan

[@tomasspasiuk2429]

POSITIVE FEEDBACK! Love your new videos keep it up bud!

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

Remember Ansel Adams in a documentary talking of this, taking the shot, making adjustment to the camera, getting the best exposure possible is only 60% of the story the other 40% performance I'm a photographer is what is done in developing or dark room.. the skill of the photographer is his photographic memory, and using it remembering the colours pattens in the colour schemes that match for that moment.

[@bibber514]

This video was great! I appreciate the lesson on dynamic range. Great work!

[@ericsaxton6032]

Great video! I especially liked the part about the dynamic range of the film. I would be very interested in a video about your metering technique. Awesome photos, I look forward to more videos. I have also been following on Instagram. Thanks again.

[@BurningPandama]

Great video! Loved the original route 66 as well! Keep it up!

[@decoff]

SOLID !!!!!! love your process and sharing while thinking. Concise and articulate. Just getting ready to get back into 4x5 Photography. Too bad I waiting so long, you cannot find type55 any more and if you do, its PRICEY> Learned a bunch watching you thou. Thanks.

[@carlitodcreative]

Great video very insightful!!

[@77Pinoyako]

If you make traditional C-Print contact sheets of your color negative film in a color darkroom you will save yourself a lot of trouble. Contact sheets show the true color and detail of what the negative actually holds. Then, you won't have to blindly make a decision of what the negative is 'supposed' to look like in photoshop. Back in the early days of scanning color negative film it was common practice to create contact sheets in a color darkroom to proof the film before scanning so you actually knew what you got. This seems to have become less common these days. I have a color contact sheet for every roll of color negative film I've ever shot, and I can tell you that the color of my scans are flawless every single time because I have a point of reference.

[@adaminsanoff]

You videos are very informative and entertaining, you photos are perfect!

[@monmioamio]

Hi Nick. I read on the support pages of Polaroid a hint to wait a while before sealing them. «30 days after exposure:For long-term storage, we recommend that your photos are not compressed or sealed (in a photo album, for example) for the first 30 days. This will enable the photos to dry out completely and for the chemical processes to halt. » Love your show. The filming and editing must be quite some work. Great that you combine the point and shoot Polaroids with the RZ67 shift lens and the 6x17 all in one show.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Very good to know! Thanks for the heads up!

[@gian.torres]

Lol, same boat as you when I bring my negative scans to LR, the worst...So now I've been using ColorPerfect to get a good base color to start.

[@saouke]

Stumbled on your channel yesterday. Awesome stuff my dude. For me the portra is a lot nicer, but I’m a sucker for that muted contrast look. Look forward to your future stuff!

[@trexinvert]

I'm not a photographer but the shots, locations and dialogue are relaxing and interesting. Keep on.

[@geffrardbourke4401]

Wonderful video. Really enjoy them and your work is just beautiful. Keep em coming.

[@thejordanflynn]

Stocked to see this pop up!

[@CPTMorningWood]

Definitely looking forward to your next on location video! Where to next?

[@docsportello5833]

Awesome photographs and thank you for sharing the expierence.

[@TheCooliodad]

Good video. However, there are also a some variables when it comes to transparent E6 films such as Velvia. For instance, each production batch from Fuji varied slightly why professional labs always had to test films and advise clients on actual speed and colour. Moreover, and although should be the same in one professional lab to another, that was not always the case. I used to work in one of the best professional E6 labs in Europe back in the 90's and our professional clients were not always eager to switch lab because there were slight differences and they wanted a consistent look. We did constant testing on both baths and emulsions. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@TheKillingTreeTT]

I enjoyed this video a lot. Thank you. The shoots came out great. I hope you can decide between the two films more easily in the future :). Must be hard to settle on only one type. Good work and video as per usual.

[@adamtruelove9684]

You will make a fine art photography print process video of that welding building the one on portra after this, Nick? Haha.. We will patiently waiting here dude!!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Definitely considering it...

[@NobeGamingOfficial]

I neeed more of these on location shooots!

[@robertkills69]

Great quality videos and so knowledgeable :)

[@Qigate]

Thanks for the great video. I hope your schedule permits more videos, too!

[@CrackTheDiamond]

You should really try the colorperfect plugin for photoshop. It gives me consistent and very accurate results. I was the same way as you, going insane trying to get the color balance right.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Noah Blalock thanks for the tip. Gotta look in to that...