Testing The New LomoChrome Color '92 Film: Pushing One Stop

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We are back for a second test of the LomoChrome Color ’92 35 mm ISO 400 and this time we have pushed our film +1 stop, from 400 ISO to 800 ISO.

Pushing film means underexposing your roll when shooting, and then making up for it by altering the way you develop the film (e.g changing the development time and temperature). The easiest way to underexpose your film is to simply adjust your camera's ISO settings to higher than the box speed recommends. Then you can let the camera meter do the rest.

Try one stop, two stops, or even three if you dare. It is up to you. What matters is that when it comes to the develop stage, you tell your lab how much you would like it pushed, for example, +1 in this case, and they will develop accordingly.

Photo credit: Elisa Parrino

There can be some sound reasons for you to push film. For example, you may be shooting at later hours of the day and your film may be too slow, so you need to stretch your ISO as much as possible. However, many times, it's just about that grainy and high contrast look.

We tested a roll on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal during a glorious summer day. Now it's time dive into the results and analyze the film's behavior.

Colors

The distinct colors that set this film apart have retained their original texture. The cooler tones tending toward shades of blue are even more accented, highlighted by the green background tones that accompany the overall tonal composition of the film.

When the tones are juxtaposed with objects, scenery, and landscapes, we can see this film expressing a different vibration compared to other films on the market. When there is a predominance of yellow, its complementary color, the latter shines through and acquires a unique hue that becomes a distinctive feature of this film. Muted earth tones shift toward pastel, with a smooth transition and serene gradation.

Photo credit: Elisa Parrino

Contrast

Many people refer to pushed film as having a certain look. This "pushed look," is why many photographers push their films. One of the main characteristics that distinguishes this style is the evident increase in contrast in your final images. This is due to the temperature change that is implemented during film development. Without this measure imposed on our film, we would simply have an underexposed roll of film.

If you develop your own film, you will be aware that time and temperature are two of the main factors that affect the final result. With color film, the contrast increases with the developing time. What we notice from the final result of this film is an even more grungey style compared to other films on the market.

If you are looking for a bold and impactful image with a unique style and strong pushing characteristics, the LomoChrome Color ’92 is for you. Dark areas achieve deep darkness, and the progression between highlights and shadows is excitingly steep.

Photo credit: Elisa Parrino

Grain

The third aspect to consider with pushed film is the dramatic increase in grain. The structure of the crystals is evident and stands out proudly. Forget all about soft, velvety images.

Pushing the LomoChrome Color ’92 reveals a punk soul. If the classic rolls on the market play out among photographers' feeds like soft serenades and enchanted fairy tales, this film and its grain will sweep you away like the first strum of Kurt Cobain's guitar at a Nirvana concert.

Photo credit: Elisa Parrino

The LomoChrome Color ’92, when pushed, exposes a rebellious and fearless force that revolts against the social conventions and the bon ton of other film. Our film is young and full of ideals, and, like a new wine that is heady at the first sip after the harvest, it strikes us with its naked and raw characteristics, just as its chemistry has made it.


What do you think about this pushed film? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Since you are here, don't miss out, grab your roll of LomoChrome Color ’92.

written by eparrino on 2023-10-17 #gear #tutorials #lisbon #color-negative #contrast #grain #portugal #push-film #lomochrome-color-92

5 Comments

  1. guypinhas
    guypinhas ·

    "changing the development time and temperature" I don't necessarily agree with that. Time yes, for sure, but temperature? Unless the comment is specific to color?

  2. eparrino
    eparrino ·

    @guypinhas Some people adjust to one degree higher temperature to push....

  3. guypinhas
    guypinhas ·

    @eparrino Sure but one has to fit the other, no? Higher temp shorter development? Before digital, for photos appearing in daily paper, that was the deal, higher temp but shorter development time as they needed to rush images for printing. I also want to mention that agitation also plays a role. Now all of this is for BNW but I would think it plays with color film as well? Most of my color images are E6 xprocessed in C41 so I don't think it's really a good gauge :)

  4. eparrino
    eparrino ·

    @guypinhas yes, I'm talking specifically about color development here.
    Certainly in B&W agitation plays a big role and time as well so those are all factors one must consider.

  5. guypinhas
    guypinhas ·

    @eparrino 👍

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