BLACKLIGHT illumination
Cafe Cokin
Here are some images taken under BLACKLIGHT illumination. And a bit on how I did it.
The first image is one that I usually do on every roll so that the lab can more accurately match the color on my prints. This is done with a flash and a P026 on the camera for the slight color correction. The grey card and color chart are from the Kodak Color Darkroom DATAGUIDE. Notice haw the shirt and hat look very different in normal light and then in blacklight!
All the other images are done in total darkness with the exception of a blacklight fixture to make any fluorescent objects glow. A 2A Kodak Gelatin Filter is used in a Gelatin holder to block the UV. A Cokin substitute could be the 230 Skylight (two of them would be better). The 001 Yellow could be used, but it would affect some of the blue objects in the scene.
To get the initial exposure needed, you would need to do a test roll with a lot of bracketing and make sure to record ALL INFORMATION regarding light to subject distance as well as film and exposure information.
A tripod is needed due to the long exposures required (usually more than 1/8 second). You will find that the best images are about a stop overexposed. This will be compensated for when prints are made and it will give a nice dark background.
The Backgrond I used in these images are sheets of black felt tacked to the wall. Many of the props were found in "dollar stores" except for the Hawaiian shirt and hunter's hat.
A starting point for exposure is 1/2 sec. @ f 2.0 for 400 ASA film with a single 18" blacklight fixture @ 6' distance from the subject and a UV blocking filter on the lens. Also try another shot with a stop more exposure. If you are using a Cokin 001, also do another with 2 stops more exposure for insurance.
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