Show me your latest darkroom prints

Ben, thank you for keeping this thread alive and engaging.

I've had zero time in my darkroom (but the itch is growing, just need to reach the unbearable point).
 
raytoei@gmail.com said:
yes. i stopped using strips, not still experimenting since i have only done 3 to 4 prints with the em10. but it looks promising as i can get to a working print in 2 prints.

raytoei
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Ray, when I printed frequently, I can get to a good print in using as little as 2 test strips.

Your using the meter is very intriguing, keep updating us with your findings.
 
contax-small.jpg


Here's one more printed on Monday. I did this in 2 prints using the ilford em10.

raytoei
 
raytoei@gmail.com said:
Here's one more printed on Monday. I did this in 2 prints using the ilford em10. raytoei
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Really nice one Ray!

Have you tried what would happen if you print the same with 16seconds at Grade 2.5? Would be interesting to see what the split grade does bs a straight out print side by side.

Keep up the good work!
Ben
 
shadowfox said:
Ben, thank you for keeping this thread alive and engaging. I've had zero time in my darkroom (but the itch is growing, just need to reach the unbearable point).
Click to expand...

Will, it's my pleasure. I have just started printing and its much easier to do with a good community around so keeping this alive is important!

Looking forward to your prints once you get back to the darkroom again!
Ben
 
contactprint-164small.jpg


many issues with this print, blown highlights, alignment, dust spots etc... but overall it think it works.

I did this in one print, by using the ilford em-10 darkroom meter.

raytoei
 
darkroomprint-2.jpg


Using Ilford em10 and Split Grade Printing.


I used the Ilford em10 light meter, with previous baseline settings (Grade 0: 80 index, Grade 5: 40 index, both exposure for 8seconds).

Turning off the safelight which would interfere with the light meter, I dialed 80 into the em10 and turned on the enlarger with grade 0 setting. I then pointed at the image at the forehead where it were highlight details, I then turned the enlarger aperture until the em10 turned green. The aperture reading was between f16 and f11, ie. 11 and half stop. So if I exposed the photo paper at f11.5 at 8 seconds, I would get the same density as the baseline grade 0 measured previously.

I did the same for grade 5, dialed in 40 onto the em10, turned on the enlarger, pointed the em10 around the hair and turned the enlarger aperture until the em10 turned from red to green, in this case, the aperture setting was 5.6f.

I then put in a photo paper, exposed at grade 0 between f11 and f16 for 8 seconds, and then exposed at grade 5 at f5.6f

I got a usable working print on my first attempt. It isn't very composed and there is more work needed, but this is a good starting point.
 
Hello fellow wetprinters ;-)
Dear Ray, I am also printing pictures in my micro darkroom and I am interested in this various grade printing techniques.
My enlarger has a condenser and I can only change the contrast gelatines...
I have a kaiser microcomputer with a meter accessory but I have not used it so far...
May you suggest me any resources studying in order to understand what is happening.
I really like the idea of local contrast variation on the same print...
Thank you for sharing your pictures and your findings!
 
Michael, adresaba and Johnmcd, thanks for kind words. Still learning and having fun at the same time.

varchs, the best article i have read on split grade printing is here:

http://www.lesmcleanphotography.com/articles.php?page=full&article=21

but i have read all the stuff and watched all the youtube video but nothing comes near to explaining split grade from the Lynda paid videos:

http://www.lynda.com/Photography-Bl...te-Darkroom-Printing-Techniques/372526-2.html

after watching the topic on "split filter test print" i felt confident enought to go do it.

it is not free but worth the small investment to learn it.


in my opinion, the advances in BW darkroom printing in the last few decades are:
* splilt grade print
* f-stop printing
* enlarger metering

while these topics are not required to make a good print, it is nevertheless something interesting to learn and tinker, especially now that the equipment are quite affordable.


raytoei
 
very interesting resources.
Thank you Ray!
I will work on them asap... it seems that I can do it to by changing the contrast filters.

During printing the RFF Postcards I have struggled to get an OK print...
 
raytoei@gmail.com said:
Michael, adresaba and Johnmcd, thanks for kind words. Still learning and having fun at the same time.

varchs, the best article i have read on split grade printing is here:

http://www.lesmcleanphotography.com/articles.php?page=full&article=21

but i have read all the stuff and watched all the youtube video but nothing comes near to explaining split grade from the Lynda paid videos:

http://www.lynda.com/Photography-Bl...te-Darkroom-Printing-Techniques/372526-2.html

after watching the topic on "split filter test print" i felt confident enought to go do it.

it is not free but worth the small investment to learn it.


in my opinion, the advances in BW darkroom printing in the last few decades are:
* splilt grade print
* f-stop printing
* enlarger metering

while these topics are not required to make a good print, it is nevertheless something interesting to learn and tinker, especially now that the equipment are quite affordable.


raytoei
Click to expand...

Thanks for this!
I read a lot on split grade printing too but haven't seen an easy explanation quite like your first link shows.
I mostly print on graded paper (unfortunately) since I have a big stock of it so I can't use split grade often but I will definitely experiment.

The F-stop printing I already knew but not consciously, I used an app on my iPhone which gave me the times below and above my "guessed" time which I should use. The app is called - not surprisingly - f-Stop. Slowly connecting the dots here...

Cheers Ray for this!
Ben
 
Thank you Ray,
I have studied your sources and I am looking forward trying this technique during the weekend.
The Lynda videos are really worthy!!!
I will keep you posted! ;-)
 
It's been a long time - how do I insert an image if I don't have a Flickr account Canned it a long time ago.

Thanks.

Steve.
 
Steve_F said:
It's been a long time - how do I insert an image if I don't have a Flickr account Canned it a long time ago. Thanks. Steve.
Click to expand...
If you want a decent size like we show above, you need your image hosted somewhere - anywhere. Dropbox, One Drive, FlickR, personal server (like me), etc. then you take the link of the image and use the forum function to plug it into your post.
If all else fails you can upload a tiny thumbnail pic by having it uploaded to the post I think but I try not to use it. Size limitation etc...
We butcher our prints enough while scanning etc, at least show it in decent size :)

Ben
 
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