SUMMARY
Max Kent presents three effective methods to improve flat film photography results without purchasing new equipment. The first fix emphasizes the importance of choosing a quality film lab and scanner, as different scanners and lab presets can significantly alter the final image. Kent advises treating film scans similarly to digital RAW files, utilizing post-processing tools like Lightroom to adjust shadows and highlights for better detail. Finally, he suggests overexposing film by one stop, contrasting with digital photography's tolerance for underexposure, to avoid muddy shadows and retain highlight recovery options.
TAKEAWAYS
Film scan quality depends heavily on the lab scanner and their presets.
Treat film scans as editable RAW files, adjusting shadows and highlights in post.
Overexpose film by one stop to avoid muddy shadows, unlike digital's underexposure tolerance.
These fixes improve film photos without requiring new camera gear.