<< One may be able to simulate the scattering of light by silver grains by
using a
paper negative dot matrix and placing a certain thickness of mylar (or
similar)
between the paper negative and coating to be exposed. The paper should
diffuse
the light hitting the image dots. The space caused by the mylar should
provide a
mixing zone for the light to blend.
>>
Yes, yes, yes! For some of you who are not very experienced with digital
negatives or are not using digital negatives yet, you should save the message
written by Jeff Mathias (partly quoted above) because it provides a very
useful information that you can use in the future!
Most other information regarding curves and tone mapping, etc. you can save or
delete because by the time you experiment enough with digital negs, those
inforamtion will have been available in almost any Photoshop book (even right
now there are available in *many* photoshop books). You still need to produce
your own curve, but the concept will be well explained in these books.
But while this mylar diffusion technique does simulate continous tone, that
is, there is now a true modulation of light intensity instead of just the
modulation of the printing area, it is quite clear that the resolution cannot
be too fine because otherwise the details will be blurred out completely after
the mylar diffusion.
Which brings us back to what I said in my earlier post: we might reach a point
where increased resolution of a printer might not help in the final resolution
of your alt. print (so don't think that as long as the printer resolution
increases, you can always have increased resolution in your alt. print.).
Dave