Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
to push (film) [photography]
English answer:
to uprate (i.e. treat as higher sensitivity than rated)
Added to glossary by
Tony M
Mar 26, 2004 05:08
20 yrs ago
English term
United States
Accurate / Fast / Cheap -- Pick Two
Native in: Hungarian 
, English
Works in: Hungarian to English, English to Hungarian, English, and 1 more.
I use xx film, pushed one to two stops in-camera
English
Tech/Engineering
Photography/Imaging (& Graphic Arts)
(to obtain a special effect)
Could someone please explain what "pushed one to two stops in-camera" means here.
Thank you.
Could someone please explain what "pushed one to two stops in-camera" means here.
Thank you.
Responses
+3
2 hrs
Selected
rated at higher sensitivity...
To 'push' a film in photography means to use it as if it were more sensitive (i.e. higher speed) than it actually is; this means that it will be theoretically under-exposed, which can be corrected later in the processing, etc.
'one or two stops' means by a factor of one or two f-stops --- the exposure indicating marks on the lens diaphragm, in practice, each stop represents a doubling (or halving, depending on whether you're opening or closing the iris) of the exposure.
It means, for example, that the photographer exposes a 100 ASA film as if it were 200 ASA or even 400 ASA.
The effect of this deliberate under-exposure will be (amongst others) to preserve highlight detail (whites, skies, etc.) whilst possibly sacrificing detail in shadow areas. There will also be a tendency to increased grain in the image, particularly if the 'pushing' is being corrected by means of 'forced' over development.
'one or two stops' means by a factor of one or two f-stops --- the exposure indicating marks on the lens diaphragm, in practice, each stop represents a doubling (or halving, depending on whether you're opening or closing the iris) of the exposure.
It means, for example, that the photographer exposes a 100 ASA film as if it were 200 ASA or even 400 ASA.
The effect of this deliberate under-exposure will be (amongst others) to preserve highlight detail (whites, skies, etc.) whilst possibly sacrificing detail in shadow areas. There will also be a tendency to increased grain in the image, particularly if the 'pushing' is being corrected by means of 'forced' over development.
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you both for the detailed explanations. :)"
+2
2 hrs
Michele Johnson
Germany
Germany
Native in English
&
English
Germany
American engineer, Dip. Trans IOL, BDÜ
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, English
artifically increased film speed by underexposing/overdeveloping
They "pushed" the film 2 (effective) f-stops ( The number setting that indicates the measurement of the lens opening aperture). For instance you use ASA 100 film but tell the camera that it is ASA 200, then develop the picture longer. Often used for night or high-action shots. Have a look here for more info about pushing film:
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kjfarrel/foto/film/pushing_fi...
Pushing film increasing film speed by underexposing the film in the camera and overdeveloping the film during processing. Generall used in low-light situations, but also for high action subjects.film speed the light sensitivity of a particular type of film. Measured by ASA. The higher the ASA the more senstive the film is to light and the "faster" it is. For example, 400 speed film is faster than 200. by underexposing the film in the camera and overdeveloping the film during processing. Generall used in low-light situations, but also for high action subjects. , or push processing, is when the photographer "tells" his camera that its film is faster than its ASA or ISO International standard for rating film speed label. Then the photographer must process the film accordingly or tell the processing lab to do so. Pushing film essentially allows a photographer to turn a lower speed film, such as 100 speed film into a higher speed film, such as 200.
(more info about f-stops at the bottom of this web site)
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kjfarrel/foto/film/pushing_fi...
Pushing film increasing film speed by underexposing the film in the camera and overdeveloping the film during processing. Generall used in low-light situations, but also for high action subjects.film speed the light sensitivity of a particular type of film. Measured by ASA. The higher the ASA the more senstive the film is to light and the "faster" it is. For example, 400 speed film is faster than 200. by underexposing the film in the camera and overdeveloping the film during processing. Generall used in low-light situations, but also for high action subjects. , or push processing, is when the photographer "tells" his camera that its film is faster than its ASA or ISO International standard for rating film speed label. Then the photographer must process the film accordingly or tell the processing lab to do so. Pushing film essentially allows a photographer to turn a lower speed film, such as 100 speed film into a higher speed film, such as 200.
(more info about f-stops at the bottom of this web site)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jörgen Slet
3 hrs
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| agree |
Tony M
: Yes, though note that the force processing is an 'optional extra', not part of the 'pushing' process itself; the fact that Asker's context specifies 'pushed in the camera' MIGHT be intended to imply the complementary 'force processing' is being omitted
10 hrs
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