Shadow detail and contrast

[kshapero]

What is the difference between Shadow detail and contrast?

 

[vrgard]

Don't know if this answers your question, and others on this forum are better able to do so than am I, but perhaps this link will provide some help: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/lens-contrast.shtml

-Randy

 

[Al Kaplan]

Shadow detail is based on exposure. Contrast increases with development time. You really can't "push" film. When you increase development time you build up mid-tone density and risk blocking up the highlights. It has a minimal effect on the negative density in the shadows. You get a negative with lots of contrast. Some developers (or dilutions) do enhance film speed a bit, while others cause a slight loss of film speed.

Contrast is the gradient between light tones and dark tones. To confuse you more, it's never a straight line. It's a slight "S" curve, with the contrast flattening out towards the ends. Google "H&D curve".

 

[charjohncarter]

Good answer Al!

 

[Roger Hicks]

The following may help. The first deals with ISO speeds, and why they are based an fixed density and contrast. The second focuses in more detail on the H&D curve (D/log E curve, characteristic curve)

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps iso speeds.html

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps neg density.html

Cheers,

Roger

 

[kshapero]

Thanks everyone.