Large Scale Photographs

I have bought some 20x24 inch paper to create large scale photographs. I began practicing using smaller test strips to work out the correct colour filtration, exposure time and aperture. However, the images were coming out grainy. This can be resolved by using a slower ISO film speed.

ISO (International Standards Organization) numbers are used to classify 35mm film. The number refers to the film's "speed," or how much light is needed to produce a usable image. Higher ISO film numbers require less light; lower numbers require more light to capture the image on the film.To get the best quality photograph that can be enlarged successfully use the lowest film speed possible for the lighting conditions.

Film speeds of 100 and 200 ISO generally produce photographs with great resolution, incredible sharpness and less "noise" than higher film speeds. Noise refers to the way the grains clump together to form spots that are visible to the naked eye when a photo is enlarged.

Use ISO 50 or 100 film outdoors on sunny days, especially at the beach or in snow.

Use ISO 100 or 200 film indoors with window light, a flash unit and a nearby subject. Also use for oversize prints to get the best quality enlargement.

Use ISO 200 film outdoors on dark or overcast days.

Use ISO 400 film indoors with window light, a flash unit and a more distant subject; and indoors at night with incandescent light and distant subject. Use to prevent motion blur when subjects are moving, such as animals, children and most sporting events. Also use for night shots with no flash, a tripod and extended exposure times.

Use ISO 800 film to prevent motion blur and capture fast-moving subjects like race cars, motorcycles, skiers and snowboarders. Also use for night shots with no flash, a tripod and extended exposure times when enlargements aren't necessary.

For my photographs I shall be using a ISO 50 or 100 therefore the grain effect will be reduced on the images.