Variable Contrast Paper question...

Hi:

I'm fairly new to VC papers having been a graded man for 25 years.

Is it possible to first get a good exposure and then give it a short burst at Grade 5 to beef up the blacks? I can't quite seem to get the luscious blacks I was used to with my old favorites, Elite and Seagull. And if so, is there an order to do it in (burst first or burst last)?

Thanks,

Rich

In short, yes. There are all sorts of methods for split-grading; even read here about folks who print strictly by splitting with 1 and 5. Never tried it myself.

Look at Les McLeans website, he has an article there about split grade printing.

Ian

Split filtration is not difficult to do with a little practice and familiarity with the materials. If all you need is a little more zip to the print, using a No. 5 filter for a portion of the full exposure will do nicely. I always start with the low contrast filter and follow with the higher contrast. I really don't think it matters much in which order they're done.

I suppose it would be the same as using a harder filter to begin with. I had difficulties getting good blacks with Ilford multigrade developer and when I changed to Dektol I got the blacks I wanted and the muddy feeling was gone.
/matti

matti said:

I suppose it would be the same as using a harder filter to begin with. I had difficulties getting good blacks with Ilford multigrade developer and when I changed to Dektol I got the blacks I wanted and the muddy feeling was gone.
/matti

Click to expand...

That's more about print tone/colour.

Multigrade developer is a slightly warm-toned developer, while Dektol is far colder toned.

Ian

What VC paper, developer, and light source combination are you using?

Murray

Oriental VC and Ilford Warmtone (for warmer images)... Ethol LPD developer (dilutions based on tone)... currently using my friend's enlargers until my darkroom is re-assembled. He has Durst Lab184 and a Saunders LPL. I have a Beseler 8x10 with Aristo VCL8100.

I'm wondering if, in addition to split-grading, flashing VC paper will help you get the blacks you are looking for. Anyone try this approach? Maybe something I could try this weekend.

Hi Richard,

I asked for the above information because it'll give APUG'ers more knowledgeable than I some idea of your process.

When I switched to VC paper I went with Multigrade IVFB and it took a while to equal my old prints on Zone IV Brilliant graded paper. One developer I tried that ended up having too much snap-and-sizzle for my kind of moisture laden rain forest photographs was Ansco 130. You might want to give that a try as it should land you a nice rich black without having to add additional exposure.

Murray

Thanks everyone for their help so far. I will try some of the suggestions in my next printing session next week.
Rich

Rich -

You certainly can give paper multiple exposures at differing contrasts. I often add a 5-10% additional exposure with the #5 filter to intensify the shadows. But there are also instances where a short exposure with a #0 filter is needed to enhance texture in highlights. Its not a scientific process, and you have to go by feel and see what results you get.

Snapshot said:

I'm wondering if, in addition to split-grading, flashing VC paper will help you get the blacks you are looking for. Anyone try this approach? Maybe something I could try this weekend.

Click to expand...

No, it won't the flashing exposure is supposed to be insufficient to fog paper, it only helps the highlights in the prints and has no appreciable effect on the shadows.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

No, it won't the flashing exposure is supposed to be insufficient to fog paper, it only helps the highlights in the prints and has no appreciable effect on the shadows.

Ian

Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification... and for saving me some time today. I was going to try this but I'll save my paper for something else.

Lee Shively said:

Split filtration is not difficult to do with a little practice and familiarity with the materials. If all you need is a little more zip to the print, using a No. 5 filter for a portion of the full exposure will do nicely. I always start with the low contrast filter and follow with the higher contrast. I really don't think it matters much in which order they're done.

Click to expand...

Ditto. And you're right, it doesn't matter at all in which order they're done. For me, split filter printing is the only way I've done it for the past 20 years. Once you work out your times for low and high contrast settings for each paper, it more or less stays the same forever after. I'm still working my way through my supply of Agfa Multicontrast Classic and my starting standard exposure time for an 8X10 print from a 6x7 neg is 10 sec full magenta (I use a color head) and 7 sec full yellow. I always get a good work print on the first try. I can then make decisions about harder or softer and tweak my times from there.

Just remember when doing split filter printing, if you want to burn for more density without changing the contrast, then burn with both hard and soft filtration in the same proportion. If you burn with only hard or soft, you'll change the contrast as well as the density.

Larry