Arrifana

Summer time in the Algarve and also time for Black & White images. The sunlight is too harsh, especially in the afternoon. The colors will look dull with very hard contrast, not pleasing the eye.

We can’t change neither the light nor the weather and we have to live with consequences.

Praia Arrifana, near Aljezur

Zeiss Ikon, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5, Rollei ATP1.1 at ISO12 

It was the moment when I was thinking about my 20 fresh rolls of Rollei’s new ATP1.1, a superpanchromatic film. I have tried a few rolls in last summer, a very interesting film. But I’ve found out that Rollei’s RHS, the high speed developer did not work properly, blown out highlights and no details in the shadows, flaws I would like to avoid in landscape photography.

Pedra d’Agulha, near Aljezur

Zeiss Ikon, Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8, Rollei ATP1.1 at ISO12

So I’ve ordered Rollei’s RLC developer, recommended by Rollei for the pictorial photography. The ATP1.1 is rated at ISO32. When working with the RLC devolper, Rollei recommends the ISO setting between 10 and 16 and expose to the shade. The RLC developer is a one shot solution.

Praia Arrifana, near Aljezur

Zeiss Ikon, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5, Rollei ATP1.1 at ISO12

Later, just before sunset, I switched over to Fuji’s Velvia 50, the light was better now, but still far from perfect. The sun was sinking without a nice red glow. I wonder if the clean air from the atlantic winds might cause the “problem”.

Praia Arrifana, near Aljezur

Zeiss Ikon, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5, Fuji Velvia 50

With very few or no dust particles in the air and atmosphere, the sunset will look kind of unimpressive. Winds from the south, might help. A very rare constellation can bring desert sand from North Africa to the Algarve, usually in the summer time.  

Camera: Zeiss Ikon ZM, lenses Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5, film Rollei ATP1.1, Fuji Velvia 50, self developed and scanned.