[pure-silver] Re: Boosting contrast in paper development

I have found that I get vey satisfactory results with multiple approaches.
So if your mid tones are going to come up before your blacks the key there
is to find the separation point; the correct combination of filter, paper
and developer.  This reasoning also holds for the highlights but not the
same combination including the order. I am not saying that you get different
results based on where and when you use a filter like 5 first then 1 1/2 vs
1 1/2 then 5.  Appropriate dilution and agitation will add another part of
the contrast/detail that you need for a better print with more detail in the
shadows and highlights.

It is best though to run the tests, or learn from printing although a bit
more difficult to quantify, so that you can apply your particular influence
to the mix; light, developer, tray size, darkroom temp, etc.

If when it is all said and done and there is not enough detail in the
shadows it might just come down to your shooting and developing. 

Eric 

 

Eric Neilsen Photography
4101 Commerce Street
Suite 9
Dallas, TX 75226
http://e.neilsen.home.att.net
http://ericneilsenphotography.com
Skype ejprinter
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pure-silver-
> bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nicholas O. Lindan
> Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:28 PM
> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Boosting contrast in paper development
> 
> "Ibrahim Pamuk" <ibrahim.pamuk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> > So in this sense contast may be obtained by completing development
> > to D-max on blacks and not allowing the midtones going completion.
> 
> In a simple sense the mid-tones come to completion before the
> blacks reach D-Max - roughly speaking.  Ending development early
> results in a print where all the dark tones are a blah grey with
> no detail.
> 
> > If this true, dilute development without agitation may help.
> > Is this true?
> 
> It will lower contrast.  In some papers it will turn the image
> tone to a low contrast reddish brown.
> 
> > Any emphasis if this true by lith developer?
> 
> Lith developer works by 'infectious development'.  When used
> with lithographic film tones go straight to black - it looks a
> bit like a flower blooming.
> 
> When used with paper the result is barely developed mid and high
> tones and patchy very deep blacks. And strange color effects -
> the paper often turns pink.
> 
> > Any comments before my trials?
> 
> Actually it would be best not to make any comments until
> after you post what you found in your trials.  Experimentation
> should always be approached with an open mind.
> 
> Using a #5 contrast filter with polycontrast paper will give you
> more contrast than you probably want.  The only exception is if
> you are looking for lots of contrast in the high-lights.  I don't
> know of any good way to boost toe contrast - Richard Knoppow might.
> 
> ==
> Nicholas O. Lindan
> Cleveland Engineering Design, LLC
> Cleveland, Ohio 44121
> 
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