First darkroom print

[Luis Filipe]

You have a good eye, the basics dont take long, perfecting does. Split grade is a weird tangent, guess you should try it at least once. Some prints can be help by changing filters during the process of dodge and burn, best to understand what they do and how to use them.
If you need a book Tim Rudmans "The Photographers Master Printing Course" is very good. Defiantly the best I have on the subject.
Theres lots you can do to a print with just a few rudimentary tools and some chemistry, have fun.

That split grade is something I always face no matter where Im going to read or look for answers for my darkroom doubts. I mean, Is that something advanced users apply in every single print?


Thanks for the recommendation, Ill try to look for the book.

 

[MattKing]

That split grade is something I always face no matter where Im going to read or look for answers for my darkroom doubts. I mean, Is that something advanced users apply in every single print?

Split grade is used by some for every print, and by others as a special purpose technique. And some of us switch back and forth.
It is an approach to printing that can maximize the benefit of variable contrast materials, because it allows you to print with different contrast in different parts of the subject. It can also be used effectively to make more typical prints, if you find you like working that way.
You can do it with your current setup, but it isn't ideal for it. A setup that makes it easy to change contrast settings in the midst of printing is better suited.

 

[Pieter12]

That split grade is something I always face no matter where Im going to read or look for answers for my darkroom doubts. I mean, Is that something advanced users apply in every single print?


Thanks for the recommendation, Ill try to look for the book.

Obviously not. Many print single grade, it was the only way to print before variable grade papers were ever invented. Learn to make a good, single-grade print first. Then you can take on split-grade printing if you feel it might improve your prints or if you can't print a negative to your satisfaction, it may be the only way. But get the basics down before getting into the subtleties.

 

[awty]

Gives youtube stars something to talk about.

Objective to using a test strip to find a contrast filter is to get the filter that is going to give you good tonal range from highlights to shadows. Its often a little either side of 2. Looking at your first picture, I would guess it could do with just a little more contrast. You can use it for other things like making a high key or low key picture etc.

I usually struggle getting past the first couple of pages on any technical book, but Tim Rudmans book is very easy to use and will take you from basics to intermediate and advanced. It lives in my dark room.

 

[Luis Filipe]

A better explanation. Of coarse once you understand the principle you can deviate if you wish.....I do
Unfortunately he use seconds instead of stops, but you get the idea.
https://fstoppers.com/education/great-video-making-print-darkroom-178079

Mr. Calabresi is who I'm taking as reference. I don't have a color head and only have full grade filters but its excellent to have an idea as he makes it look simple and is very informative.

 

[Luis Filipe]

My second session was a mix of sensations, some well succeeded others not really.

I managed to apply some dodging witch really made me happy as I could see the difference for better.

Still have some negatives underexposed. And I know it is not a problem with my camera meter (Olympus OM-1) its me! lol

Im getting the graded filters point better. I found easier to find my black and white points...in well exposed negatives. Also need to learn how to read negatives better.

I will get smaller trays, as these cat litters are 16x12...too big for 8x10 or 7x5 and waste more developer.

I am seriously thinking in buy other enlarger. But would like something for both, medium format (Mamiya 645) and 35mm.

Any recommendation a bit more economical?

Also, is it better to have a color head instead of using graded filters to print bw?

Thanks.