Black and White Photo Retouching

Professional photographer and professor Will Agar guides you through retouching your black and white prints, in preparation for presenting your work. This is part 1 of a 3-part series on Photo Presentation. Join Professor Agar as he gives you expert advice and other words of random wisdom.

[@steveb7477]

I love how you add a little humor to your videos. This was VERY informative. I always wondered how the Spotones were used. Thanks.

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

How nice it would be to be taught by a guy like this, I'm very envious of the guys and gals lucky enough to be exposed to this sort of enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing. Kind Regards . . . Andy in the UK.

[@Trangent]

AndyDaviesByTheSea Thanks Andy!! And many of us here in Minnesota, US are envious of you living by the sea! :))

[@Subfrequenz]

After having the film dust blues I discovered spotting and it has given me analogue hope! I really wanted to keep the negative to print process computer free so videos like this are incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@Trangent]

Thank you Dan!! I’m glad we’ve inspired you and given you hope :)) Thanks for watching!!

[@ManInMostlyBlack]

This is great stuff, i really enjoy the series. Tell Prof. Agar that he is awesome.

[@Trangent]

I will!! Thank you!

[@davidevalentiphotographer2985]

He definitely is amazing!

[@Trangent]

Thanks @davidevalenti photographer!!

[@leebushen]

Very useful. Thanks! I just bought a Fotospeed DY10 kit here in the UK and I'm going in!

[@Trangent]

Thank you Lee!! I hope you enjoy making your beautiful photos even more so! Good luck to you!!

[@Trangent]

@ Mariela Ramirez: Thank you for watching!! There will be a new one in a week or so! More great advice on presenting your work :)

[@emotown1]

Nice to see this works with resin coated paper (& quite glossy!) . Definitely something I need to get under my belt - dust spots do make the best photo look amatuerish. Cheers.

[@Trangent]

+Keith Roberts Thanks for watching Keith!! Good luck to you!

[@emotown1]

It's been a pleasure - you made a high quality series of videos here. I hope you get the urge to make more...!

[@Trangent]

Thank you so much!!!! Trying to find some time to do that... :))

[@Tito7Skate]

Thank you so much for these videos . So useful . Look forward to the next 2

[@Trangent]

Thank you!!! We've been working really hard--the 2nd one, "Dry Mount Your Photo" will be up today!

[@MrDantres]

Great video, thank you!

[@Trangent]

+Nuno Benavente Obrigado! Thank you :)

[@beaupfeifferrecordings]

many thanks for all the info bro im rigging up my diy darkroom all this info helps heaps thanks

[@Trangent]

Thank you Beau!! Glad our videos are helpful to you! Good luck with that new darkroom of yours!! :)

[@beaupfeifferrecordings]

many thanks

[@Trangent]

:))

[@Fenkzor]

That was very informative, thank you!

[@Trangent]

Thank you Fenkzor!! We're glad you like our video! Thanks for watching :))

[@uniqname4sure]

Thanks for the video. How would I retouch to a lighter tone a dark line caused by scratch on negative?

[@Trangent]

Professor Agar says, "In the past I would take a small, sharp x-acto knife and carefully and gently scrape the black emulsion off. Then I would retouch. This is hard to do. Ansel Adams wrote about it and also said it was hard to do. Therefore now is the time to blend analog and digital. Scan the negative or print, retouch in Photoshop effortlessly, and make an inkjet print on high quality silver gelatin-like inkjet paper." Hope this helps you Alexey!! Thanks for watching! :)

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

What is the difference between the liquid ink and the dry ink sheets. How do you use the dry sheets that Freestyle Photo offers ?

[@Trangent]

Hi Gregory :) Neither one of us has seen this product. I couldn't find dry ink sheets on Freestyle Photo (I suspect I needed to search with the exact name of the product. The search results showed many kinds of sheets but they were for ink jet printers...) I tried Google and found that B&H Photo sells a black dry sheet. Here is what the product overview said: "Each sheet is made of a special paper fabric coated with a heavy layer of highly concentrated pure color. By touching the sheet with a damp brush or cotton swap [swab], the color becomes liquefied and is immediately usable." I think the process of using water on the dry sheet to dilute the ink and applying it with a brush to your photo would be similar in result to using liquid inks. Best of luck retouching your photos!! Remember-less is more! :))

[@ashleyhoff7561]

What a shame that Spotone hasn't been available for over 10 years. Is there any other product hat you would recommend?

[@Trangent]

+Ashley Hoff You can sometimes find Spotone on eBay :) There are some positive comments about Peerless Dry Spot and Marshall Spot All. Or you can make your own like Edward Weston. I found the recipe online: www.apug.org/forum/index.php?threads/spotone-replacement.19404/. "Use equal parts (by weight) of Chinese (stick) ink and gum arabic; dissolve in enough water to cover these ingredients, and mix. Let dry out and mold to suit. Moisten a brush in water (to which a wetting agent may be added), wipe on a piece of paper until the proper grey shows, then apply to the print. A dry brush works much better than a wet brush." Hope this helps! :)