Density Range
tomf2468@pipeline.com
Thu, 20 Jun 1996 15:07:56 GMT
Hello everyone, I started a thread (Zone System / Stouffers / Density
Range) a few weeks back. It generated a lot of interesting thoughts (most
of them on how I asked the question), but no answer to my question. So I
thought I would re-state the original question: What is the industry
standard method for measuring a negative s density range. I have seen it
stated as film D-max minus film base + fog (the density that will print as
pure white, or zone 10 minus clear but developed film or zone 0). I have
seen it stated as almost D-max minus fb+f+0.1 (the density that will print
as the first tone less than paper base or zone 9 minus the film density
that will print as the first tone less than pure black or 0.1 density units
over film base + fog or zone 1). Lastly I have seen it stated as the
densest value that will print some detail minus the thinnest value that
will print some value (zone 8 minus zone 2 or fb+f+0.3 density units in my
experience for most alternative processes). I use the latter. It works
great for me in the use of a step table and a spot meter to determine if a
negative is correct for printing in an alternative process. Or, what
mixture to use in platinum, etc. I ve adopted this method because it seems
to work well for many processes.
By using the edge of detail (zone 8 minus zone 2) I can allow some
processes (platinum) to have more steps of tone above and below these
detail values, and others (gum/cyanotype) a much steeper fall off. This
is with my working methods and not a put down of any process. I reject the
thought (scene here lately) that more steps equals better quality! What
would Robert Longo do if he was force to use a long range material???
As I may be teaching some alternative process classes, I will most likely
teach my method, but would love to know (and explain / warn my students) if
my method isn t standard. I may just have to buy (and read) Phil Davis s
Beyond the Zone System book, but it looks like way too much math and
theory to be fun !
tomf2468@usa.pipeline.com (Tom Ferguson)