From: Eric Neilsen (e.neilsen@worldnet.att.net)
Date: 05/16/00-10:37:10 AM Z
Nick, Sure, it is possible to have a negative that has too much contrast to
make a pleasing image. It is also possible to have a negative that has a
printable range but one that has a curve that would not produce a pleasing
print. Don't confuse density range with the shape of the curve. I recently
received a digital negative to print and a curve had been applied to this
negative that was supposed to make a good print. It had fine detail but
produced a print to had too much contrast. Fix? to make a print using a rather
warm developer. THere are many aspects of your printing process that my be
quite different from those providing information about digital negatives.
Either adjust your printing method or adjust your negatives.
Print contrast is effected by not only your ferric oxalate, but a combination of
type and temp of developer, ratio of coating mixture pt to pd, printing
humidity, type of light used, etc. Choose from a list of possible changes to
make to your process, make one and plot the results.
Good luck
EJ Neilsen
Nick Makris wrote:
> Eric, Jeffrey and All,
>
> Thinking that perhaps the use of heat in the preparation of my last batch of
> Ferric Oxalate (you may recall the thread about boiling water for that
> purpose) I prepared a new batch of FO and printed both the new and older
> without any H202. The results indicate no readily discernable difference
> between the three prints (the third being the original one that caused this
> thread). Although the one from the new FO (no heat) *might* have the tiny
> bit more detail in one area.
>
> Correct me if I am wrong, but, this leads me to believe that I have a
> digital neg from a Lightjet 5000 that has a contrast range greater than the
> potential of my printing method. Not having a sensitometer, I'm not able to
> provide any specifics.
>
> This method includes equal amounts of FO and PD, applied with a half inch
> (home made) plexiglass rod (idea provided by William Laven) developed in a
> cold bath developer. BTW, I soak my prints in for a short time in a water
> bath after the developer. They appear to clear almost immediately after
> entering the EDTA bath.
>
> Is it possible to have a neg that has a contrast range too great to print
> with PD & FO???? I have not tried to print just for the shadows with my
> current chemicals although recall that I was able to print those details on
> RC paper.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Nick
-- Eric J. Neilsen 4101 Commerce Street, Suite #9 Dallas, TX 75226 214-827-8301 http://e.neilsen.home.att.net http://www.ericneilsenphotography.com
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