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09/22/2004 12:43:39 PM · #1 |
Ok, so a couple weeks ago I had a job shooting a debate at the university. The hall was somewhat dark, so I used b/w film (I know, I know, this is a digital photography website, but hear me out!) pushed from 400 to 3200 (Ilford makes a film you can do this with). Anyway, I got all the right exposures, sent the film off with a big note that said to push the film to 3200. So what did the lab do? Processed it normally, so most of the shots were badly underexposed, and the ones that weren't are barely saveable in Photoshop.
Now here's the question. What do I tell the professor who hired me? Do I try to explain push processing, do I blame the lab, or do I just say, I did a poor job, so I apologize and give him the few shots I saved for free? This was a $75 job, so it's not that big of a deal, but I wanted to make a good impression with the university. Needless to say, this won't.
Oh, and just as a way of explanation, I don't have a good digital camera, which is why I used my film camera. My digital is a point and shoot with really bad shutter lag, and I've been saving up for an dSLR.
Ok, let's see what you guys have to say. |
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09/22/2004 12:46:24 PM · #2 |
| Bad luck... that's really harsh. I'm interested to see how the people who do Photography for a living respond to this question. |
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09/22/2004 12:57:48 PM · #3 |
| Oh, here's another funny little development...I wrote to the lab (Mystic Color Labs) and told them my problem and wished for a refund. They told me that they don't push or pull film, which is funny because I have sent them about 3 rolls that have required pushing in the past. You would think they would have called me and told me, or at least sent the film back with a note. I guess I won't be using them anymore. Poor poor poor. |
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09/22/2004 01:00:09 PM · #4 |
I'd say get them printed from someone who does push and get the pics done right. It may cost you more, but it will definitely help your name and goodwill if they come out right the next time. You don't want a rep as the "almost-pro who screwed up the pics" at a University.
(This is why we shoot digital. ;)
M
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09/22/2004 01:08:00 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
I'd say get them printed from someone who does push and get the pics done right. It may cost you more, but it will definitely help your name and goodwill if they come out right the next time. You don't want a rep as the "almost-pro who screwed up the pics" at a University.
(This is why we shoot digital. ;)
M |
Mavrik,
I thought that they did push film, and they've always been really good at developing my prints. This is the first time in over a year they have really screwed up (figures it was a paying gig).
And in response to your digital comment, I agree, I really wish I had a camera that could have handled that job, but I just can't afford it right now...soon though.
Oh, and by the way, once the film is developed, you can no longer push it. You can only develop it once. So yeah, I can't really do anything about that particular roll. If I could I would have done it in a second.
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 13:09:23. |
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09/22/2004 01:09:38 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
I'd say get them printed from someone who does push and get the pics done right.
M |
Isn't it a little late for this? Film can't be developed more than once. You could try taking them elsewhere and see if they can do a better job at printing them. I would just say that there was a problem with the processing, you apologize and maybe offer to do another event for free. That way you can create another opportunity to show them how good you really are. |
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09/22/2004 01:12:15 PM · #7 |
Once the negatives are developed, it's too late to push.
I am not a full time pro, but have shot some commercial stuff here and there. I would be forthright with the client and eat the cost myself. I wouldn't charge them.
Part of the responsibility of the photographer that's being hired is to deliver great prints. If you can't (for whatever reason), you shouldn't get paid.
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09/22/2004 01:14:38 PM · #8 |
Are there negatives you could print from?
Anyway, definetly give him the few good prints for free unless you can get them all re-done in better quality.
It happens - you have to move on. I lost about 100 photos for a wedding I just did. In fact, it was my first wedding under my new company name. I'll give them their negatives for free if they complain.
Don't make excuses, though. Tell him it was out of your hands but you'll give up the goods for free. They probably only need a few good shots anyway.
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 13:15:03. |
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09/22/2004 01:16:20 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
(This is why we shoot digital. ;)
M |
Ah naivity ;-)
Crap happens with digital as well.
Garbage cans get emptied, cards get corrupted, etc etc. It's all happened to me. |
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09/22/2004 01:22:20 PM · #10 |
This is a good reason to work with a real pro lab. I worked at one in LA that processed slides and the whole time I was there, I can remember only once or twice that film didn't get run exactly right.
It might cost a few $$ more, but the service is worth it, especially for things like pushing 3 stops.
I would apologize to the prof, explain what happened (the lab did not follow your processing instructions) and offer to shoot the next debate/event for no charge. I would also show him the best prints that you can get if the negs aren't totally clear and offer them to him at no cost. |
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09/22/2004 01:25:02 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I would apologize to the prof, explain what happened (the lab did not follow your processing instructions) and offer to shoot the next debate/event for no charge. I would also show him the best prints that you can get if the negs aren't totally clear and offer them to him at no cost. |
I haven't had much experience with professional (hired) shoots, but this sounds like great advice to me! |
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09/22/2004 01:26:36 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
This is a good reason to work with a real pro lab. I worked at one in LA that processed slides and the whole time I was there, I can remember only once or twice that film didn't get run exactly right.
It might cost a few $$ more, but the service is worth it, especially for things like pushing 3 stops.
I would apologize to the prof, explain what happened (the lab did not follow your processing instructions) and offer to shoot the next debate/event for no charge. I would also show him the best prints that you can get if the negs aren't totally clear and offer them to him at no cost. |
I thought this was a pro lab. That's the thing. I guess I was misled. In any case, I am just going to send him jpg's of the ones I saved and see what he says. Who knows, maybe he'll like the a lot! |
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09/22/2004 01:29:19 PM · #13 |
| I am going to post a url with copies of the prints, see if everyone agrees they aren't good enough to charge for...stay tuned. |
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09/22/2004 01:37:50 PM · #14 |
matriscro, maybe I can help a bit. I own a Nikon Super CoolScan 5000ED Film Scanner. It's capable of scanning negatives at 4000dpi and 16 passes. I could possibly save the negatives since the scanner is capable of pulling *extreme* amounts of detail from negatives and shadows. Maybe we can work out some kind of arrangement. It will take me a few days though and I'm out in Florida, too. If you're interested, send me an email.
//www.perezdesigngroup.com/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,3/
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 13:38:09.
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09/22/2004 02:24:57 PM · #15 |
//www.romulusandremus.com/drugdebate/drugdebate.html
Here are the photos I've been talking about.
Mr. Perez,
Thank you for the offer, I am definitely bookmarking your page. I don't this particular job is worth all the effort. I think that the photos I've "saved" with photoshop will do the trick.
Chris
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 14:25:18. |
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09/22/2004 02:31:47 PM · #16 |
| honestly, I'm doing a photojournalism class right now...these prints are not totally unacceptable...except the one with the funcky blue cast on it. It really depends on where the Univeristy wants these published. |
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09/22/2004 02:35:56 PM · #17 |
They aren't THAT bad. I was expecting worse.
Honestly, if you tweak them a bit in PS and remove the color, they might be OK. I would show the prints to the prof, explain what happened, then play it by ear, he may be perfectly happy with them as is, or you may want to offer to take half off the price or offer them for free.
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09/22/2004 02:42:53 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Originally posted by mavrik:
(This is why we shoot digital. ;)
M |
Ah naivity ;-)
Crap happens with digital as well.
Garbage cans get emptied, cards get corrupted, etc etc. It's all happened to me. |
Active UnDelete. :)
Yes, it's possible. But SO many more options.
@Mk - I wouldn't know. I haven't shot film practically ever. I know you get negatives back. I figured they could reprint those. *shrug* I admit ignorance about chemicals. lol
M
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09/22/2004 03:27:38 PM · #19 |
| PS and NeatImage? I'd have thought they could be rescued pretty convincingly. |
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09/22/2004 03:36:32 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
@Mk - I wouldn't know. I haven't shot film practically ever. I know you get negatives back. I figured they could reprint those. *shrug* I admit ignorance about chemicals. lol
M |
The negatives were developed incorrectly. It's just like shooting in manual mode, only 3 stops off from the correct exposure. |
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09/22/2004 05:39:20 PM · #21 |
The images I've posted were the saved ones after I did massive amounts PS work on them. If you saw the originals, they were really really dark. Anyway, this is how I presented them:
I told the professor - I usually charge $35 per hour plus a $10 per image usage fee for the web (which is where they will be using it). Since he gave me my first job at the university I told him I would waive the higher of the two...in other words, if he only wanted 2 images, I would only charge him $20, but if he wanted all 10 I would charge him only the $70 hourly fee for 2 hours of work that I did.
We'll see what he says. Funny thing is he said "They look fine." Go figure. Thanks Adobe! |
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09/22/2004 05:41:22 PM · #22 |
matiscro
He was probably taking into account that the lighting conditions were poor, and rather dark, and that he'd not warned you before hand, so the slightly grainy and shadowy results were because of that, not because of a processing error.
Anyway, sounds like a happy ending...
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