'N' development

[1kgcoffee]

Trying to understand zone system a little. When Adams talks about n+1 or N-1, what exactly does he mean? Is this an old way of describing pushing or pulling for purposes of contrast? How do the use of compensating developers factor in. For example you can push with d76 whereas something like pyrocat will lift overall density but keep contrast low.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

N+ is giving a longer development time to get a lower contrast scene to normal... N- is reducing the development time to get a contrasty scene back down to normal.

 

[Bill Burk]

Pushing and pulling deal with adjusting your film development time because you want to shoot the film as if it had a different speed, like a 400 speed film pushed to 800 is pushed one stop.

In the Zone System you don't push or pull, you use the film at the right speed for your system. The speed is something you test for, typically 2/3 stop lower than ASA.

N+ and N- deal with adjusting your film development time for contrast control. Andrew O'Neill explained it well. The number after the + or - is a count of f/stops of "contrastiness" or "flatness" that your light meter tells you you have... compared to Normal. And it's + and - to indicate that you need more or less development, exactly as Andrew said.

N+1 means you have a scene that is 1 stop flatter than normal

N-1 means the scene is 1 stop more contrasty than normal

The number of minutes of developing is another thing you find by tests, everybody's times are different. But if someone gives you a suggestion and you want to try... go ahead. I've found you can be 30% off in developing time and still get good results because at least you were going in the right direction.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Trying to understand zone system a little. When Adams talks about n+1 or N-1, what exactly does he mean? Is this an old way of describing pushing or pulling for purposes of contrast? How do the use of compensating developers factor in. For example you can push with d76 whereas something like pyrocat will lift overall density but keep contrast low.

N development captures a subject brightness range(SBR) of roughly 7 stops from shadows to highlights your SBR is 8 stops, you need an N-1 development to capture the entire scene without losing shadows or highlights.F your SBR is only 6tops an N+1 development will increase neg contrast and avoid a 'flat' print.

 

[juan]

The purpose of adjusting development is so that you can print on your chosen paper - usually grade 2 or 3. There a lot of variables, but the object is to get a good print.

 

[Rick A]

This was of course, all figured out back in the days of only having graded paper. Paper was fairly expensive, and buying several grades just didn't make sense, so we settled in on one or two grades. Also, different brands responded differently, so we learned to develop to optimize printing. The object was to find the sweet spot for whatever paper you wanted to print on, and which contrast grade you preferred. Now days, we have excellent multi grade paper which renders the N+/N- thing a bit moot. Now, if you find the negative is contrasty, you choose a flatter grade filter, or if the negative is flat, you run a higher contrast grade filter when printing. I still prefer to shoot for grade three, and rarely need to adjust in the darkroom.

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

Direct answer to your second question: yes

 

[markbarendt]

Trying to understand zone system a little. When Adams talks about n+1 or N-1, what exactly does he mean? Is this an old way of describing pushing or pulling for purposes of contrast?

It is a contrast adjustment. Physically it is the same process as push and pull.

The essential thing that the zone system is about though, is a way to fit the measured contrast in the scene onto grade 2 paper.

How do the use of compensating developers factor in. For example you can push with d76 whereas something like pyrocat will lift overall density but keep contrast low.

Compensating development is a big subject somewhere between a myth and science. A short definitive answer is IMO non-existent.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

The 'N' system formalizes the idea of pulling and pushing a bit more directly connecting the concept to a paper grade. It is connected to the Zone System and the placement of a particular zone on the H&D curve. Adams' explanation of the Zone System is not really the best. I would also consult other texts as they may be clearer to you. The following article may be helpful. Besides Adams the other major contributor is Minor White. If you have trouble with Adams then White is even thornier. He is heavily influence by Eastern philosophy and Zen which unfortunately intrudes on what might be a good explanation of the system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_System