Trying to emulate scan in silver gelatin print

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Auroraua

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I made a print of a scan.
I love the "silvery" tone of the scan, the gray scale, and I am finding my print a bit harsh. Is that because it´s too much time?
Can someone recommend what paper or how I could emulate it or is it impossible, as they are distant processes?
It´s Foma 200 in Rodinal taken on Hasselblad.
I use Ilford Multigrade,
Grade 2 filter
Slavich Bromportrait 80

Perhaps I should try less time and first on a normal RC paper and as I suspect the Slavich one is a bit warm.
Also maybe i should try a softer grade.


But advice to a novice printer is appreciated.

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The image with a bit of white background is the silver gelatin print.
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bdial

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There are lots of reasons that trying to match a silver gelatin print to what you see on a monitor could be very difficult, and perhaps impossible.

For starters, try reducing the exposure by 1/2 to 1 stop, and then try some contrast adjustments, perhaps 1 1/2 instead of 2.
To my eye and monitor, the scan looks a little warmer than the print, it will be tricky to find a paper and developer combination that could get it just right. Some Ilford MG might be a good start though.
 

Michael Wesik

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I might also try adjusting your developing time to 5 to 7 mins and reducing your exposure. A longer developing time might give you the more silvery print you're looking for versus a short developing time that would give you a warmer print. And definitely try reducing your contrast filter.
 

jeffreyg

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If you use the Ilford MG you can print different areas of the image with different degrees of contrast. To me looking at an image on the monitor vs a print is somewhat like looking at a slide vs a print. Also remember that the printer uses inks as opposed to your silver gelatin emulsion. I'm happy to treat each as a separate medium and not worry about the differences.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/
 

RobC

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you inkjet print and silver gelatin print being on different papers and one using inks opposed to the other using silver are never likely to look identical.

What you are trying to achieve will require some very subtle printing controls to get it just right. It will come down to you being able to adjust time, contrast and development to get the balance or each just right. That comes with experience and practice and you will learn a lot on the way there.

To get a silvery look you must ensure you never over print to the point where you are effectively fogging the paper with print exposure. increasing contrast to make the highlights go back to white will reduce the fine detail and make it look too hard so you must find the correct print exposure time or you are stuffed.
 

paul ron

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if you are printing on VC paper... use a softer contrast filter... even split filter to keep the rich blacks in the details.
 

removed account4

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you can adjust the image in what ever editor you are using
either when it is being converted electronically
or post conversion. .. i'm guessing if you go to the "hybrid group"
you might get better than my purposefully vague instructions.
(not allowed to talk about such things in the open forum )
straight out scans often times never look, upload or print well.
 
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