Master The Art Of SPLIT GRADE PRINTING (Local Contrast Control - Part 2)

[@jogrev]

Matthew, the effort you put into making your videos is amazing. I hope to one day see this community and your channel grow. You deserve it, my friend. May GOD bless and keep you always!

[@Distphoto]

Much appreciated 🙏

[@riccardocoelatirama]

your videos are a source of great interest and inspiration. Thanks

[@Distphoto]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@markf7739]

Matthew, I recently printed a photograph using some of your darkroom techniques. The sky was a little blown out with only minor detail. I first flashed the print, then split grad printed using a 00 and a 31/2 filter and then burned the sky area without causing halo. I was really pleased with my results and I credit you and your video series for my success! Thanks!

[@Distphoto]

That is so great to hear, Thanks for letting me know!

[@danlovely4389]

I am so glad that I found your channel, VERY useful and well produced. THANK YOU In regards to Spiltgrade printing, I recently got the Heiland Splitgrade controller and LED light source for my Saunders/LPL 4550XLG. A bit of a steep learning curve, but I am very impressed with my results thus far. In the past I use to 'look down my nose' at VC paper (only used Graded FB), but I am finding this to be opening up a lot more creative potential. Looking forward to learning more from you.

[@Distphoto]

Thank you! Glad you found the channel! Some VC papers are super beautiful and can do so much!

[@danem2215]

I've been exposing for the shadows (but not developing for the highlights) so I've been getting blown out skies kinda often. I'm going to try to be a bit more creative with split grading to get close to halo-free results. Great series nonetheless, it's helped me tremendously!

[@Distphoto]

Glad to hear it has helped!

[@josephasghar]

I have to thank you once more for your previous video on pre-flashing. I wasn’t getting the sky/sea separation on a recent moonrise print done as a split print, so I went for a pre flash followed by a grade 5. The result was much preferable. :)

[@Distphoto]

Awesome to hear!

[@alvinbirdi6502]

Another great video. Good to see your burning technique with the big white card and the 2 second lead-in time. I tend use my hands cupped together with a small gap but it's difficult to see the image clearly that way. Looking forward to your next video on another local contrast technique. I've tried using digital negatives for contrast control with not much luck!

[@Distphoto]

I use my hands sometimes too. All just depends 👍

[@ironmonkey1512]

Very nice!

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@philipu150]

You mention that split-grade printing can be any two numbers, not just 00 and 5. True, but it can also be more than two. With challenging negs, I have used three or even four filters. The phenomenal printer W. Eugene Smith was once described by an assistant as "flipping [Kodak Polycontrast] filters in and out" of the enlarger. One of the techniques often used by classical Flemish painters was yo use lower contrast around the outside of the painting, increasing contrast and (hue saturation) where it mattered most.

[@Distphoto]

Thank you Phillip… That makes sense as to why an edge burn with a low contrast filter can be very effective! Indeed one should do whatever it takes to get what you are after!!!

[@sbills]

Thanks!

[@Distphoto]

Thank you Steve!

[@erchata]

muy buena impresion, un poco complicado para mi pero he descargado el video y lo vere mas detenidamente, tengo tambien la 1ª parte gracias un saludo.

[@Distphoto]

Awesome, do let me know if you need clarification on anything 👍

[@oudviola]

Great video. What kind of marker do you use to write notes on the back? I find all my pencils don't work well with RC paper!

[@Distphoto]

I just use a 6b pencil... a bit softer lead and have worked well for me... even when the prints are wet. You could also try a china marker too.

[@PeteFord-m2i]

This is great stuff - thanks for sharing your knowledge much appreciated! I have a question... I only have a simple set of filters, 1 through 7 so my questions is this: What is the difference between using a 00 filter and no filter at all? Being as my lowest is grade 1, would I approximate a 00 without any filter in the holder????

[@Distphoto]

If your softest grade is a 1 I would treat that how I did the 00 or lowest contrast (different filters have different labels but can be very similar - on top of that different manufacturers have different contrast designations for their specific paper) So you might want to test and make sure you are getting a very low contrast print with the filter 1 White light is typically considered “normal” or about grade 2 - 2 1/2 when using variable contrast paper (but this can vary depending on the light source.). So I would imagine your softest filtration will be the 1 filter - your hardest will be the 7 and your normal Will be in the middle (or probably pretty close) But without knowing the brand of filter or seeing them it is still an educated guess.

[@PeteFord-m2i]

Great - thank you :) I have a set of the Ilford below the lens filters mounted in plastic holders. I have seen bigger sets with 00 filters in them and they also have the half grades like 2 1/2 etc. I was just saving money when I bought my set :)@@Distphoto

[@SteenBirungi]

Hi Matthew, first off thank you for the videos you put out. They immensely helpful and have helped me understand the printing process better. I was wondering if you just use an ordinary permanent marker to write notes on the back of the paper or is it a special pen?

[@Distphoto]

Pencil works great. I use a 6b so it a tad softer and can even write on them when wet. Just do not push to hard or you will indent the emulsion through the back 👍

[@SteenBirungi]

@@Distphoto Ah yes, makes sense! Thanks a bunch, will put this knowledge to use later today ✍

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

Wow

[@Distphoto]

👍🏻

[@markholm7050]

Would there be any point to flashing with light color filtered (or made the correct color with LEDs) to expose only one or the other of the high and low contrast emulsions in a VC paper?

[@Distphoto]

Yes, in fact I do typically use a green gel and did here to target the low contrast layer of the emulsion. I have quickly tested the difference’s and seems to ba an advantage. I intend to do more testing and share the results. 👍

[@angerson2]

@@Distphoto This is an excellent video - just a bit confused about how and with what you pre-flashed the paper as it was not in the easel.

[@Distphoto]

@@angerson2 I use a small print flasher I made. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npPPm3uffN2qbbssi=OYRQllaDePJvsfcf Thank you!

[@olegboldyrev5113]

Не надо сливать воду из нижнего клапана, в этом нет смысла. Весь воздух спускаем через верхний клапан последовательно с закрытой подачей, потом открываем нижнюю подачу воды, потом закрываем нижнюю и открываем верхнюю подачу. Как воздух сойдёт, закрываем клапан и верхнюю подачу, и открываем одновременно верхнюю и нижнюю подачи.

[@swMUSIK]

very interesting video...😀

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@ЕвгенийМалышкин-з6к]

👍🤙👏

[@Distphoto]

🙏🙏🙏