Reciprocity failure

With very long (or very short) exposures, film stops following the reciprocity law. It reacts less to light than expected, so the image comes out darker than the light meter predicts. Color films can also shift in color. Film manufacturers publish tables that show how much extra exposure to give, for example for night photography or long exposures. Digital sensors do not suffer from reciprocity failure.


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Martin Kaninsky

Martin is the creator of About Photography Blog. With over 15 years of experience as a practicing photographer, Martin’s approach focuses on photography as an art form, emphasizing the stories behind the images rather than concentrating on gear.

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Reciprocity