In reply to timparkin:
I'm trying to get my head around the actual concept involved - I started tripping myself up in my head. That said, more reading done, I think I've got it.
> I'd honestly just use Portra 400 and push it one stop in developing. Pushing colour film to the edge rarely works as well as it sounds like it should.
That's the impression that I was getting. 'Hi-fi' isn't necessary in this instance, but the image obviously does have to be usable. I was initially looking at something like Lomography Color Negative 800 or dubblefilm Cinema and pushing it one stop. I think 800 may well still prove to be too slow - but I'm just guessing at the minute, I haven't made a site visit to actually check.
> Give me a shout if you have problems with the negs and I'll drum scan a few for you.
That's a very kind offer, thank you
> Portra 400 pushed one stop is better than 800 developed normally in my experience. Some places will push two stops but it's marginal returns and really mucky shadows. By the time you fix the shadows in post, they're still blocked up.
I found this while perusing for information - they seem to have come out remarkably well? https://canlasphotography.blogspot.com/2010/12/kodak-portra-400-miami-south...
> Can you use a bit of fill light at all? Even the tiniest bit helps)
I can probably get away with throwing a bit of key light on the subject, but won't be able to light the background at all (which, in fairness, really isn't important).