enhancing paper developer

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br - 31 Dec 2003 18:41 GMT

Although I try to obtain correct exposure and proper development I connot
always achieve this on every frame in a roll. So at times I increase or
decrease magenta as required or even split printing for achieving the
contrast that looks best for me, I would, still, like to go further with
the tonality of my print beyond "dodging and burning".

What can be done to a developer such as dektol or ansco 130 to add more to
a print mostly in the shadows?

Bill

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Nicholas O. Lindan - 31 Dec 2003 18:57 GMT

"br" <br@t-one.net>

> What can be done to a developer such as dektol or
> ansco 130 to add more to a print mostly in the shadows?

Add more what: density or detail?

If it is detail then I would not approach it from the
developer end. Futzing with the developer usually
results in changes to the highlights (at least my
futzing does).

For enhancing shadow detail I would recommend a
contrast mask.

Even better is to alter the negative exposure: expose
for the deep shadows so you are off the toe of the
H-D curve -- this will give you more contrast/detail
in the shadow areas of the print.

If you are looking for blacker blacks you might try
Edwal Ultra-Black, though measurements show the same
dmax as Dektol. Rumor has it that Amidol is good for deep
blacks, probably a psychological association with
black fingernails. Selenium _will_ produce a higher dmax.

And then there was Agfa Brovira paper ... Now there is
a formulation to bring back, drop all these odd boutique
papers and re-introduce something that really worked.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio nolindan@ix.netcom.com
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.

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Jim MacKenzie - 31 Dec 2003 19:06 GMT

> If you are looking for blacker blacks you might try
> Edwal Ultra-Black, though measurements show the same
> dmax as Dektol. Rumor has it that Amidol is good for deep
> blacks, probably a psychological association with
> black fingernails. Selenium _will_ produce a higher dmax.

Ansco 130 is about as good as it gets, save for using Amidol, for getting
black blacks. I believe the original poster has already tried it, however.

Jim

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Gregory W Blank - 31 Dec 2003 21:51 GMT

> Ansco 130 is about as good as it gets, save for using Amidol, for getting
> black blacks. I believe the original poster has already tried it, however.
> Jim

Depends on the paper, I am with Nicholas Ultra Black works
well for the most part, used with Forte Polygrade RC I know
you get a Blue Black as opposed to nuetral however. Amidol always seemed
somewhat of a pain to mix, and Ansco 130 uses Glycin which is
expensive and goes bad if you buy alot.

My personal favorite paper developer for subtle tones is Defender 55 Portrait
formula.

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brook - 31 Dec 2003 22:09 GMT

> > If you are looking for blacker blacks you might try
> > Edwal Ultra-Black, though measurements show the same
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Jim

Perhaps add carbonate to the ansco 130 or dektol.
Brook

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Michael Scarpitti - 31 Dec 2003 22:50 GMT

> Although I try to obtain correct exposure and proper development I connot
> always achieve this on every frame in a roll. So at times I increase or
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Bill

Try adding restrainer such as benzatriazole. This will lighten the
upper values (highlight areas).

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