<< I might do that at Art Center if I were teaching there,
however, I am not and I choose to take another approach. I prefer to start
the students off with film that is more forgiving so they have some initial
success and then work them into the more difficult and demanding situations
later. Just a difference in philosophy.
Yes, I agree with that too as I have mentioned also in another email that I
agree that one can consciously choose one or another with different
philosophy, preference, etc. I do see your point, honestly. Here you choose an
Tri-X because it is easier for a student to get some success. It is a valid
point.
>> I am not anti-Tmax, however, I just prefer the Tri-x aesthetic. I used a
lot of 400 Tmax and just didn't like the flat curve. Yes, it is finer
grained than Tri-X, but that is not one of my considerations. I use the
grain for aesthetic reasons.
Here you choose Tri-X for aesthetic reasons, another valid point also. Maybe
I didn't say it clearly in my earlier post, I am NOT anti-TriX. I use it too
for the same reason that you mentioned (mainly the aesthetic but not the ease
because I don't teach). I do think Tri-X is beautiful. What I was trying to
say is one needs to have some systematic approach to testing before concluing
that one film is better or worse than another.
>> Since Bob Schramm and PhotoDave like 400 Tmax, a film they acknowledge is
more sensitive to processing and exposure fluctuations than Tri-X, I would
ask them to share with the list their film testing and tweeking secrets for
fine tuning T-Max film.
I use an automatic machine (JOBO), so my development time will not be that
much meaningful (it is continous agitation, with presoak, etc.), but there
isn't much in tweaking. If you use TMax developer, for example, you can see
from the curve that since it is SOOOO linear, all one has to do is the alter
the development time to get the density range that you need.
>> I would like to share the post with my own students to show them to what
extent testing is necessary to achieve a high degree of control over ones
materials.
One can use zone system or simply shoot a reflective step tablet and measure
the density range of the negative, then alter the development time so that the
density range becomes the range needed. Or alternatively, one can shoot the
reflective step tablet and alter the development time so that all steps (or
the desired number of steps) print nicely on a normal paper.
That is just the general concept. I do special imaging, so my situation is
really different.
>> Also, I want to show them that there are different, but equally valid,
points of view on how to get the job done. >>
Please do! Thanks in advance!
And I want to say it again to all: I do think TMax AND Tri-X are both
beautiful!
Dave