maintaining good separation in low values

[blackmelas]

What techniques do you use to maintain good separation in the low values of a print?

A good portion of my photography is devoted to shooting informal, natural light snapshots of my family, especially my daughter who has very dark eyes. I find getting the separation between the pupil and the iris is sometimes difficult even though I see the info on the negative. Given that I have little control over lighting, I am asking more about film selection, film developing and printing.
Thanks,
James

 

[Blighty]

James,
Personally, I split-grade print most of the time. This allows me to fine tune the contrast and the tonal separation in specific areas. Dodging an area during the 'soft' exposure increases the effective grade in that area after the hard exposure is given. I too sometimes have difficulty in bringing out the detail in eyes. Usually, I will use a bit of Farmers to reduce the density in the pupil a little. Just don't overdo it; it's a one way process!!

 

[df cardwell]

Many films today have a straight line performance with very little 'toe'. With suitable developers, you can get generous and full shadows, and yet the highlights fall where they can easily be reached

Kodak TMY is excellent, Ilford Delta 400 as well. Kodak's XTOL and Ilford's DDX
are perfect. There is a proper tool for a job, and THIS job wants these combinations.

Most importantly, you can expose fully.

.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Both suggestions above are good, but I want to stress the importance of giving more exposure. In my case, the problem was my Bernese Mountain Dogs. The white blaze, especially the one between the eyes, was very, very white; wheras the shadowed areas of the black fur where very, very dark.

 

[blackmelas]

All great responses, Thanks,
James