Black and White Photography

Prints generally dry a little darker than they look when wet. This occurrence,

called dry down, is most noticeable with fiber-based papers. The result is sometimes

subtle, but is important, and should be considered when evaluating your

prints.

Part VI: Controlling Contrast

The primary control of print contrast, the difference between shadow and highlight

areas in your print, lies in the contrast grade of paper you use—a choice

of either variable-contrast papers (controlled by filters or a variable-contrast

enlarging head) or graded papers. Variable-contrast filters are easy to use, readily

available, and inexpensive. However, the individual filters also are easy to

lose and scratch (or otherwise damage).

Variable-contrast enlarging heads are available for some enlarger models;

these are more expensive than variable-contrast filters, but provide a more efficient,

convenient, and precise method of adjusting contrast when you use variable-

contrast papers. Such heads have built-in filters, allowing you to simply

dial in the desired contrast grade. Also, they allow even finer incremental changes

in contrast than the half steps allowed by individual filters.

Both variable-contrast and graded papers use the same contrast rating system—

the higher the number, the greater the contrast. Most variable-contrast

papers offer a contrast range from #0 to #5, with #0 representing the lowest

possible contrast and #5 the highest—with half-step increments in between

(#0, #1⁄2, #1, #11⁄2, #2, and so forth). Graded papers offer a narrower range of

contrasts—usually in whole steps from #1 to #4. In virtually all paper types, a

#2 (or so) represents average contrast; this also is the approximate contrast level

of most variable-contrast papers when used without a filter.

Follow these instructions to adjust print contrast:

1. Make an initial print with good overall density, following the instructions on

the previous pages. It’s easiest to evaluate print contrast with a wellexposed

print. If you are using variable-contrast paper, put a #2 filter in the

enlarger’s filter drawer before you expose your paper.

2. Examine the print for contrast. Look closely at the range of tones. Prints

with normal contrast have both dark and light areas with lots of grays in

between. High-contrast prints have mostly dark shadows and light highlights,

while low-contrast prints are mostly gray—lacking deep blacks and/or

bright whites.