Adjusting RGB Levels on scanned negative film

 

I made blogpost about this back in 2013 and this is still my workflow when I'm shooting analog. This can be done with nearly all scanner soft wears that allow you to turn auto adjustments off. 

In a nutshell: While scanning negatives, the scanner software usually performs or attempts to perform this step for you. However, the software interprets the image in 1s and 0s, so the black or white out-of-frame areas can confuse the scanner software and result in inconsistent colours. This method simply adjusts the RGB levels on the histogram to the correct positions, removing software error from the equation.

Deep Earth By G.Binsky - Nº.3

 

Photography Bugra E & Carolina M
Model: Anna W

Camera: Pentax 67 II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film: Kodak Portra 400

Processed in Kodak Flexicolor C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750

Deep Earth By G.Binsky - Nº.2

After I edited the images for the client, I started to edit some for my Print Portfolio however during the time I was editing them I deiced to do update my Mac, and somehow my desktop without my approval, decided to sync to apple cloud which is just dumb because there is not enough space to cover all the PSB and TIFF files I was keeping on my Desktop. The automation decided to remove the files that can't be placed in cloud and place in the cloud that doesn't have space, so in less than a minute all the photos were gone, not in desk top not in cloud, there were just empty folders in the could server. Fast forward to 2024 Latest cloud update, I found a way to recover the photos and I still don't know how I did it. Since 2019 pandemic happened I got hit by pickup truck bought a Flat etc... another reason for blog post which I'll be actually writing. 

Photography Bugra E & Carolina M
Model: Vanessa 

Camera: Pentax 67 II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film: Kodak Portra 400

Processed in Kodak Flexicolor C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750

Deep Earth By G.Binsky - Nº.1

A photograph I shot at mid-summer 2019 of beautiful Anna. Photographed for G.Binsky's Deep Earth collection. The Photoshoot was really enjoyable, even that day was the hottest day recorded on the year 2019 and on top of that we had two little rains lasting about ten minutes or less it was still very fun project. 

Photography Bugra E & Carolina M
Model: Anna W

Camera: Pentax 67 II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film: Kodak Portra 400

Processed in Kodak Flexcolor C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750

The Unseen - 5

The full story here: https://bugraergil.co.uk/Mechanic

It's amazing how medium format negatives vs 35mm are. You can easily see the quality even after pushing the film 2 stops.

Photography: Bugra Ergil

Camera: Pentax 67 MkII + SMC 105mm f2.4

Film: HP5+ shot at ASA1600

Processed in Kodak HC110

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

GoSee №2.0

Newer addition to GoSee segment. Sports, fitness model Rhiannon is also a semi-pro footballer playing in the midfield. 

Photography: Bugra Ergil
Model: Rhiannon Ishmael - Self Casted

Camera: Pentax 67II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film: Fuji Film Pro 400H

Processed in Kodak FlexColour C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Fellow Photographer - LFW February 2017

One thing I really like at LFW is, meeting photographers there and often times even the photographers dress smart because it is London Fashion Week.

Camera: Nikon D800 + Nikkor 50mm f1.4

Photography: Bugra Ergil

GoSee №1.2

First day of summer is here! I'm planning on a trip to Turkey for little bit of work, little bit of leisure. I really like the light here Kodak Portra 400 really produces good colours in the correct light/exposure. Also all the Colour photos I shot in this GoSee was shot on Expired Kodak Portra 400. When was it Expired? Early 2013. Friend and colleague Carolina gave me those expired film, saying that she got them when we were in university. Also so far I shot 7 GoSee shoots including this one. I'm just thinking of a layout/way of presenting these Go See shoots. Should I add 1 photo per post and make 3 - 4 posts per Talent/Model or just 1 post per model with a jump break. Decisions . . .  Decisions . . . 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Model: Jemilla King Self casted

Camera: Pentax 67II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film Kodak Portra 400

Processed in Kodak FlexColour C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Finishing My Second Bottle of Kodak HC110

I finished my 1st 1lt bottle of Kodak HC110 in February 2016. Today 30th May 2017 I've finished my 2nd 1lt bottle of Kodak HC110. Its not a huge deal, but again I find it exciting. Also while Im looking at the quality of processed negatives from back then and now, I can see that I've improved ever since graduating from London College of Fashion and also I developed a very good and efficient home processing Black and White film with Kodak HC110. 

*I know the bottle looks not finished there, this photo was taken 3 weeks ago or so, the bottle finished today! I just added this cool aftermath of film processing marathon photo for demonstration purpose. Also nobody likes blogposts without photos/visuals, humans got lazier >=/  They want pictures and graphs and videos over reading posts and etc .  .  .
P.s. It took me two days to finish, dry, cut, and file those negatives and another 3 days to scan them all.

Croissants ★ Cookies

Here is a photo from London streets. Walking around London at 8am has its perks. Streets are relatively empty and full of interesting people on their way to work, or having a quick breakfast before work. No tourists and good light. 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Mamiya RZ67 Pro II + Mamiya Sekor Z 180mm

Film: Ilford HP5+ shot at 1600

Processed in Kodak HC110 

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

GoSee №1.1

Another photo for my new content in this blog. I really love the idea of GoSee shoots and I'd like to add more content like this to my blog, however summer has arrived and self casting takes more time than one could imagine, by the time I got 1 person to confirm and bailout on shooting  another Self casted GoSee I got five Agency models showing up for a GoSee in the same day.

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)
Model: Jemilla King self casted

Camera: Pentax 67II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film Ilford HP5+ shot at box speed

Processed in Kodak HC110 (b)

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Scanning Film at Home with Epson Perfection V750Pro

It's no surprise that I use some old dated technology in my photography. I still haven't purchased a new laptop 100% of my work is being edited on mid 2012 Macbook Pro (non-retina discontinued) and my scanner is the Epson Perfection V750 Pro, a scanner dating back to 2006 yes over a decade old. Ever since I've graduated from the University I moaned in-focus, sharp scans. 

In December 2015, I wrote a blogpost about Anti Newton Ring glass. Since then I've been using the ANR glass (anti newton ring glass) in my scanning.
These ANR glass are cut in the specific size for the epson perfection V750 pro medium format film trays. These ANR glass helped me get the best quality I can achieve from the V750 scanner. The ANR glass helps keeping the film flat, nullifies film shaking, and keeps the film un bended in focus while scanning. See the diagram below. 

Ever since December 2015, all my medium format film scans from Epson Perfection V750 Pro scanner are with the help of ANR glass, and you can just look trough here. 
Those of you who has a V750, I'd reccomend you to try ANR, it is not a drum or a Imacon scanner but when used right by a skilled user it will give great results. My tip for using this scanner regardless of ANR glass or software is: automation should be the last thing you do with this scanner. I'll explain this along with my workflow scanning medium format film in another blogpost in future. 

GoSee №1.0

Here is a great new addition to my blog to promote my work/portfolio. 
GoSee: "Portraits showcasing the back beauty of professional models working in major markets across the globe." ~ The Ones2Watch
In this section I'll be shooting both agency represented and my own self casted talents. 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Model: Jemilla King Self casted

Camera: Pentax 67II + SMC 105mm 2.4

Film Kodak Portra 400

Processed in Kodak FlexColour C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

A rare sight

While I was walking around the London eye to photograph people in the streets, I noticed this man. From what I assumed, he was waiting for something or someone and reading a book to pass the time. Something you don't see everyday. In 2017 when people are waiting for something they usually pass the time on their phones, or tablets or even e-reader but this guy had a book. You don't see this everyday . . .  Really go outside and count the people reading books. 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Mamiya RZ67 Pro II + Mamiya Sekor Z 180mm

Film: Ilford HP5+ shot at 1600

Processed in Kodak HC110 

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Shoot me like "Terry" - 13 #TBT

I was looking through my old HardDrives and I come across this photo and today being Thursday I told my self why not make a #TBT post on Shoot me like terry photos. When I looked at the file date this photo is dating back to 2013. I must admit I have a good sense archiving.

Camera: Nikon D800 + Nikkor 50mm 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)
Model: Ben Allen

Militaristic - LFW FEBRUARY 2017

Not everyone can get away with the militaristic look, however when they do, they sure look stylish . . . in my opinion.  

Camera: Nikon D800 + Nikkor 50mm 1.4

Photography: Bugra Ergil

P.s. I think it looks way more stylish than the camolook.  

Moylin - I'm not there

Here is a still from I'm not there shoot. I was recently exporting photos for my Instagram account, and I came to this photo. Since this photo was submitted as a DPS in the editorial, I tought it would be nice just to have it as a stand alone portrait in my blog. I'm not there shoot link in my website here.

Camera: Pentax 67 II + SMC 105mm f2.4

Film: Kodak Trix shot at BoxSpeed

Processed in Ilford DDX

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 PRO

Team: 

Photography: Bugra Ergil

Styling: Lenita Visan

Hair: Yumi Noh

Mua: Jess Summers

Model: Moylin @First 

On cigarette break - LFW FEBRUARY 2017

I'm not a fan of going to Fashion week, mainly because of "peacocking" people who has no business in fashion week filling the streets looking for 5 minutes of fame. However this year, I decided to go there with my friend Burcu and photograph what I see stylish and beautiful. I found this stylish gentelman who I assume is a Hairstylist, on his cigarette break and took a photo of him. (with his permission of course) 

Camera: Nikon D800 + Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8G

Photography: Bugra Ergil

The Unseen - 4

My first try on Documentary type photography. A small part of larger project. Initially I used Pentax 67 II however I brought my Nikon F6 with me as well just to be safe. It was good idea! I am used shoot fashion and portraiture where I have full control over my model and I can tell them how to pose and how to stand etc... In this situation the mechanics are working on their engines and motor parts and they are not posing or listening to me or standing in one place too long. In a scenario like this its very hard to shoot everything with Pentax 67 manual focusing, it is possible but at the end I might not have all the photos I need. So I switched to F6 and as a result of that; I now have some photos shot on Pentax 67, where the quality is great because of the negative size over 35mm and when I put the photos together the quality difference is effecting the story flow of overall story. See full story here!

Photography: Bugra Ergil

Camera: Pentax 67 MkII + SMC 105mm f2.4

Film: HP5+ shot at ASA1600

Processed in Kodak HC110

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

On the phone

New addition to my street photography work. I spotted this gentelman having a conversation on the phone and sitting on the bench. So, naturally and casually, I sneaked behind him with a Mamiya RZ67 and a 180mm and photographed him. 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil

Camera: Mamiya RZ67 Pro II + Mamiya Sekor Z 180mm 4.5

Film: Ilford HP5+ shot at 1600

Processed in Kodak HC110

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Nikon D800 Vs Pentax 67 II

So, if you ask me this question the answer is depending on the shoot. In a shoot like this where the model is gorgeous and have great skin it all ends up with the photographers skills in photography and communication. 

As I worked on both photographs in photoshop and retouched them in a way that the client wanted, I started to realise that I spend more time on Digital photo over the film and that was already my first main reason on why I switched to Analogue Photography over Digital Photography. 
What do I mean by I spend more time on digital in photoshop over Film? Well I do spend considerable amount of time on scanning and it takes 2-3 days for Photofusion to process my negatives(the pro photo lab I use for colour and commercial shoots) but I accepted that as a part of my job. Once I sit down in front of the computer to work using photoshop and open both the scanned file and Digital file, I spend about one hour more editing time in the digital file. This extra hour is usually spent on Dodge and Burn tool. With film I spend very little time if not no time at all on Dodging and Burning. 
I used to spend a lot more time editing digital photos before I built a workflow on PhaseOne CaptureOne. With that program, I shoot and directly export files as PSD(photoshop document) with my preset adjustment applied to the photo. 

Here are the two photos below. The photoshoot was originally shot on digital however I just wanted to have some analog photos for my own personal use. Remember the photo I shot with Pentax has no dodge and burn. What do you think? Near future I will write about why I switch to film for %70 of my work. 

Camera: Pentax 67 II + Pentax SMC 105mm 2.4
Film: Fujifilm Pro400H 

Processed in Kodak Flex Colour C41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Camera: Nikon D800 + 50mm 1.4 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil
Art Director: Su Karaman
Stylist: Estefania Hageman
Makeup artist: Pamela
Hair Stylist: Hussein / Shabnam
Managing director: Yasemin Blum
Nail Tech: Brigit

Model: Issy Knowles @Wilhelmina 

Good News for Film!

Some good news! Its been some time that we did not have good news, but looks like 2017 is a good year for analogue photography and film. First kodak announced that they will be reintroducing the Ektachrome and now finally Ferrania announcing P30 (alpha).

If you are wondering what does the alpha mean ? is it in the name of the product? Nope! Alpha means its the first stage testing. Usually when a product is being made, they make a small batch of alpha to test the quality, consistency, compatibility etc... then some corrections are made and beta testing begins where its now sold or distributed wider audience. Beta testing is like a real world testing however the product is still open to minor tweaking here and there. 
Once they understand that the product is ok and no longer needs to be altered or tested they finalise it and it can be sold with company warranty.  

Man at Trafalgar Square

A man with his dog companion at Trafalgar Square. 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Mamiya RZ67 Pro II + Mamiya Sekor Z 180mm 4.5

Film: Ilford HP5+ shot at 1600

Processed in Kodak HC110

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Labourer in Chinatown

I wanted to do something new this year. Instead of always searching for photography projects to get involved in and look for clients in internet and other sources, I want to devote one day every week or one day every two weeks to street photography. This will also motivate me to wakeup earlier on days that I don't have photoshoots. Not to mention keep the rust off my Mamiya RZ67 Pro II. 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Mamiya RZ67 Pro II + Mamiya Sekor Z 180mm 4.5

Film: Ilford HP5+ shot at 1600

Processed in Kodak HC110

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Kiddo

The first post of 2017 is also my first Giff! This is from a test shoot I've done last year . . . a test to see if I can shoot kids and boy it was difficult. Art directing a kid was definitely a challenge, every time I asked her to pose in a way; she would either nod or shake off her head to say yes or no, which makes verbal communication nearly impossible. 

Camera: Nikon F100 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G

Film: Kodak Portra 160 shot @ Box Speed

Processed in Kodak Flex Colour C-41

Scanned with Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Team: 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Styling: Camille Marchant 

Model: Jessika @ Kids London

Lonely Fisherman

A fisherman I spotted while I was traveling to Prince Island in Istanbul. I immediately rushed to my camera and take the photo before we passed him. Luckily he was giving way to our ferry which gave me enough time to take out the camera and take the photo in the right moment. 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Pentax 67 MkII + SMC 105mm f2.4

Film: Ilford Delta 400 shot at box speed

Processed in Ilford DD-X

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Light Setup #10

The mid-length portrait shot of Avatar shoot. 
In here I had to build a setup that was in favour of the model when it came to space management, not only the model was painted pink she also had to be behind a table. The main set was already built in several days in advance thus and also set designers were working on it thus I could not use it. So in a small area I came up with this small setup. 

 

The black pollyboards are there to kill the spill light and add more contrast to edges of model. The Octagonal Softbox is a little higher than the camera, and the reflector is is white circular reflector to soften the shadows under the chin. Umbrellas are there to illuminate the background to the same tone as the table. 

NEW MacBook Pro Late 2016 From Photographers Point of View

So the new Macbook Pro has arrived, and I've been waiting some time to upgrade my Macbook Pro mid 2012 (non retina - antiglare screen)
I've seen online reviews, written reviews, hype, rant, salt and all love and hate about the machine. Here I'd like to tell my own point of view to this new and expensive tool as a photographer.

So lets look at the highlights shall we? 

The "ALE"

Not all the props in the photoshoots are real. In fact almost all commercial food photographers shoots uneatable food. In this case the ale in the glass is not actually ale; it's just over brewed tea made with London's hard tab water. 

Camera: Pentax 67 II + Pentax SMC 105mm 2.4

Film: Kodak Portra 800 shot at Box speed

Processed in Kodak Flexicolour C-41

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro

Team: 

Photography: Bugra Ergil (me)

Styling: Lenita Visan

Makeup: Jess Sumer

Hair: Yumi Noh

Model: Peter Mnych @AMCK

Fishing Boats in Istanbul

On my way back home these two fishing boats got my attention. With me I had my Pentax 67 MkII with 105mm 2.4 lens but I was out of Kodak Tmax 400 film, instead I had Ilford Delta 400 on me. 

If there is one film I dislike and avoid using, it's Ilford Delta Line, I don't know why but I feel like it lacks the contrast and require additional level adjustments not to mention contrast. However baggers cant be choosers, it was the only black and white medium format film I could find around me at the time. 

Photographer: Bugra Ergil (me)

Camera: Pentax 67 MkII + SMC 105mm f2.4

Film: Ilford Delta 400 shot at box speed

Processed in Ilford DD-X

Scanned in Epson Perfection V750 Pro