My first time shooting with Provia was almost a complete failure. This hasn’t stopped me from shooting this film more frequently in many, many different scenarios with subjects. Of course with informed practice, you too can improve your outcomes too. However, taking pointers from those who have failed before you will save you the time and effort of having to reinvent the wheel, get results faster and save you a few bob in the run too.
Summer conditions are ideal for shooting with Provia 100F namely because you will have plenty of sunlight. In the UK, you’ll most likely have clouds which add a wonderful soft box effect for free so perhaps you may not need to carry tonnes of equipment with you.
If you are still new to slide film photography, use a light meter. It will save you time, money and in the long run your desire to keep working with this wonderful film stock. Just imagine see frame after frame of positive perfection in your hands. Something for you to save an archive for the future too.
First few shots here did quite well, although framing could be markedly better on this occasion. With hindsight perhaps choose a location with no running traffic in the background, unless of course it aids/ compliments your work. The next few frames were a complete dive, worried due to the lack of light in this narrow pathway, I decided to take the aperture right down, opening up the lens and there was light!!
In contrast, I went the opposite direction here due to the strong light passing through the open skies. The shadows are quite marked. Although I was able to somewhat salvage this shot by flipping it into BW. Next time it's worth bringing a light reflector.
Finishing off this set with the blue dress, the heavy clouds had rolled in now. The image has come out however the shadows are very heavy. In a wider sense, if it’s a look you are going for, then all good. In my case, an addition of some off camera flash probably would have aided this image far more.
Much learning from this shoot which has added to my knowledge and understanding of working with Provia 100F. As I have shot more and more, I have carefully chiseled away the errors and am getting some fabulous results too.
There is no reason why you can’t too, everything requires a bit of dedication, failing and learning to get to where ‘there’ is!
All film images were taken on the wonderful Bronica Zenza ETRS Medium Format Camera with 75mm lens.
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