paratrooper question

[merdock]

Hi,
I have a question about the collar patches worn in the book the 'Green Devils ' the collar patches apear to be red not yellow why?
Merdock

[SMP]

Hi Merdock,
I wondered about that myself once. I think the answer is ( and hopefully John H will back me up on this ) that the yellow patches absorb the flash light making the patches appear dark on black and white period photos.
Regards

Steve

[John Hodgin]

Close Steve, but not quite correct.

There are different kinds of B&W films and colors react differently using these different films. Some names used to describe different types B&W are pan and ortho. We mostly use panatomic design films for general photography today because it is accepted as the most "accurate" in grey tones, but ortho is still used for scientific applications. I used to have to shoot a lot of ortho in the 70's and could easily duplicate this effect in my studio if I had the time. Yellow appears dark in many older B&W films and this is obviously what the photographer used in his studio. Perhaps it's the only film he could get at this time during the war. In addition, colors can be made lighter or darker in B&W film simply by use of color filters. Believe me though, the tabs are standard yellow.

Best,
John

[SMP]

Hell John.......that sounds like science !

Steve

[John Hodgin]

Oh sorry I can drone on..... Ortho film reacts like it does cause it's sensitive to all light but red. Some red is in yellow, and other colors as well, red isn't in only red. So the ortho film doesn't "see" the red color in the yellow tabs and so they photograph darker.

The important fact of all this ramble is that this means that the camo helmets are not truly reproduced in B&W in the photos either. Any tan, yellow, or yellowish browns are reproduced darker as well.

Best,
John

[Willi Z.]

Interesting information John...

Do you verify your skin tone theory on real subjects on the NC beaches???

[Homer Hodge]

Interesting information John...

Do you verify your skin tone theory on real subjects on the NC beaches???

I'm resurrecting this ancient thread in hopes of seeing John's response to Willi's question...

[Willi Z.]

I'm resurrecting this ancient thread in hopes of seeing John's response to Willi's question...

Homer, it has been more than 7 years, so I guess John isn't going to respond!

[Homer Hodge]

You're probably right, Willi. It's a trade secret!

[David B.]

Collar Tabs

Greetings,
I had to throw this one in for the thread. I would bet these tabs aren't yellow, possibly red or black. Any ideas? Sincerely, DJB

[Gehlert]

Greetings,
I had to throw this one in for the thread. I would bet these tabs aren't yellow, possibly red or black. Any ideas? Sincerely, DJB

Blau für Sanitäter.
best regards
Thomas

[John Hodgin]

Greetings,
I had to throw this one in for the thread. I would bet these tabs aren't yellow, possibly red or black. Any ideas? Sincerely, DJB

Regardless of color David, this is a wonderful photo!

[Willi Z.]

Blau für Sanitäter.

That would be my guess as well.

Great photo David! Where have you been?

[John Hodgin]

Interesting information John...

Do you verify your skin tone theory on real subjects on the NC beaches???

Homer and Willi, forgive me for being a "bit" tardy to respond.

Yes, verified all this intel through careful and painstaking photography on NC and Bahama beaches. However am unable to post the results here because this thread would be cell-blocked and I would forever be banned from WAF.