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Imagine a world immersed in warm shades of red, gold and amber – as if the sun never sets and the evening rays illuminate every frame. This is not magic, but the Redscale – technique, a special way of exposing film that opens up a new dimension of analog photography.
What is Redscale?
Redscale – is a shooting method in which the film is exposed from the reverse side, meaning light passes through its base before reaching the photosensitive layer. In conventional film, the light is immediately in contact with the photoemulsion, but in Redscale it is forced to break through the red layer, which changes colors and gives the photos a characteristic warm shade.
How does Redscale work?
Classic color film has several light-sensitive layers:
- Blue (upper)
- Green (average)
- Red (lower)
When the film is charged into the chamber upside down, the light first passes through the red layer, blocking blue and green. This leads to a decrease in the number of cold tones, and the result is an image in a red-yellow palette.
Where to get Redscale film?
There are two options for receiving Redscale:
- Buy ready-made film. For example, the Lomography Redscale XR 50-200 or Kodak Color Plus Redscale (hand repackaged version). Such films are produced specifically for this effect and have different light sensitivity, which affects the color balance.
- Do it yourself. This is a budget option that opens up more creative opportunities. You just need to turn the standard color film (such as Kodak Gold 200 or Fujifilm C200) and charge it backwards into the cassette.
How to properly exhibit Redscale?
The photosensitivity of the film during reverse exposure drops. For example, if the cassette says ISO 200, it must be exposed as ISO 100 or even 50 when Redscale. This helps to get more balanced colors, reducing the excessive red shade.
- ISO 50–100 <TAG1> soft orange and yellow tones
- ISO 200 and over <TAG1> rich red-brown shades
Effects and creative possibilities
Redscale is great for portrait, street and landscape photography. It creates a unique atmosphere:
- Portraits they acquire a retro effect, like footage from an old movie.
- Landscapes they look surreal, especially if you combine Redscale with illuminated objects.
- Night shooting gives even deeper and more mysterious colors.
Tips for shooting on Redscale
- Check the exposure. It is best to underexpose the frame to one or two feet to get more contrasting colors.
- Shoot in bright light. Sunlight allows you to get rich yellow-orange shades.
- Experiment with ISO. The lower the ISO, the warmer the colors.
- Use different lenses. Old Soviet lenses, for example, "Helios 44-2", create an additional cinematic effect.
If you like to experiment with film photography, be sure to try Redscale – and maybe discover a new dimension of creativity.
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