More Constrast

[twhittle]

I was hoping that some of you darkroom Gurus would be able to help me with achieving more contrast in my prints.

These are all shot on Kentmere 400 shot at box speed and developed in Kodak HC-110, dilution B. They are on a Ilford Pearl MG IV Perl paper and were exposed with a Multigrade 4 filter.

The dust is from my flatbed scanner and I think it added some more contrast too. I am aware of the slight issues with the bordering, and have since rectified this issue.

What I would like to learn is how to achieve greater contrast between black and white. I am thinking of Daido Moriyama but without so much loss of mid-tones.

Can I do this in the darkroom? Or is it best to add contrast with film exposure and processing?

Many thanks!

 

[shortstop]

I've found that using rodinal at increments if development time about 30-40% over massive development time tables gives a peaceful contrast. (Unfortunately I'm not a guru)😎

 

[mbisc]

I think you have plenty of contrast in my book, but everybody's artistic vision is different 🙂

In general, though, the standard approach fro more contrast is to either "plus develop" the film (if you want to use the laws of the Zone System), or to go to a higher contrast filter when printing. Some VC heads will go up to 5.5, and that can be helpful.

Attached is an image that had zero contrast range in the negative (a function of the light etc. when I took it), but the use of a VC head made this print possible:


Delhi - Ashokan Edict (Film & Wet Print) by nbg90455, on Flickr