Darkroom rubber mask

photogear said:

Does someone work with rubber masks having geomatrical figures, so you can "burn" or "save" some areas of your negative?
First, is there a proper name for this kind of equipment?
Secondly, how do you find such an equipment kit nowadays?
Of course, I manage to cut out some of those mask by myself but being a somehow a gadget person, a real kit is looked after.
Yours.

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pentaxuser said:

Phew I am certainly glad I read beyond your thread's title, otherwise I would have been worried

pentaxuser

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mshchem said:

I remember seeing these, from 1950s. Had several interlocking masks that would allow for printing multiple images on a single sheet of paper. As I recall these were hard board pieces. Fit together almost like a jigsaw puzzle. Looked like a pain to use.

There's also Saunders multi print easels that allow you to make 8 wallet prints, or 4 4x5s 9n a single 8x10.

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photogear said:

Does someone work with rubber masks having geomatrical figures, so you can "burn" or "save" some areas of your negative?
First, is there a proper name for this kind of equipment?
Secondly, how do you find such an equipment kit nowadays?
Of course, I manage to cut out some of those mask by myself but being a somehow a gadget person, a real kit is looked after.
Yours.

Click to expand...

cliveh said:

The title makes you read this thread, wondering if you also wear a ball gag.

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koraks said:

I suppose that all digital editing will be done with the GIMP.

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Pieter12 said:

The best masks and tools for burning and doing are the ones you make yourself for specific uses. I attach my dodging tools to a length of spring wire, much thinner and flexible than what was on the tools you might find in photo stores or online. I will also modify burning masks with bits of gaffer tape or cardboard to customize them.

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Bill Burk said:

Reinhold made a set of dodgers, you might look him up on the large format photography forum

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MattKing said:

The description made me think of this sort of dodging kit:
View attachment 416337

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koraks said:

I suppose that all digital editing will be done with the GIMP.

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Kino said:

The problem with dodging kits is the shapes almost never conform to what you need.

A cheap package of black construction paper, scissors, tape and a thin wire clothes hanger cut to suitable length handle seems to be the most flexible system for me. Cut shapes out of paper for dodging with the wire handle or cut holes in the paper to burn in areas.

I have one of those weird dodging/vignetting masts with movable blades and serrated edges in a oval shape that came with some vintage darkroom stuff. Never found a use for it, but it looks good hanging next to the enlarger.

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