Gimme more contrast!

[dominik_eckelt]

I am new to BW photography. Thus I bought some rolls of 400TMAX,

100TMAX, P3200TMAx and Trix 400 and several filters (red, green, yellow).

<p>

When I got my prints back from the lab today, I was pretty much

disappointed.

<p>

Most of the pictures look washed out, no contrast.

<p>

I would like to have quite contrasty pictures, even by sacrificing

details.<br>

What would be the right technique? Bracketing? A own lab? Other film?

<p>

Here are some examples.<br>

This one really sucks:<br>

<img src="http://ba-stuttgart.de/~deckelt/pic2.gif">

<br>

And this is, how I wanted it to be (manipulated in PS):<br>

<img src="http://ba-stuttgart.de/~deckelt/pic2mani.gif">

<p>

Another example:

<br>

<img src="http://ba-stuttgart.de/~deckelt/pic1.gif">

<br>

And again manipulated:<br>

<img src="http://ba-stuttgart.de/~deckelt/pic1mani.gif">

[marc_leest1]

Ok. Now you found the hard way why most of us B+W fans do our own processing. The best way, if you cannot do your own processing, is to use a chromogenic B+W film.

 

These are Ilford XP2, Kodak TMAX400CN, Kodak Portra B+W.

Try some of these to find your own personal taste.

[lemastre]

Black and white printing is so subjective that it's unlikely a lab

would produce prints you really like the first time out. Anyway,

you probably need to develop your own film to get the contrast

and density you need for your printing process, whatever it is.

[peza]

Are you sure you are not underexposing ? These prints sucks.. Fuji frontier on Fuji crystal archive paper will give you more contrast than you will like. Develop clasically, let print on Frontier.

[chris_waller]

The real answer is to process and print your own b+w. At least begin by developing your own negs. It's cheap enough to set up a daylight developing tank, changing-bag and the rest. And you have control over the results.

[graeme_mitchell]

As someone said, try c-41 B/W films. I dislike Ilford XP2 because it is so so contrasty, but I like that it is convenient as C-41.

 

If you have a load of t-max, don't throw it away. Maybe try and push it a stop to see if that helps.

 

And then, as everyone says, do your own developing/printing.

[mbuntag]

Even if the lab did a good job processing the film, they' ussually

flunk when it comes to printing. That's because printing is an

artform in itself that requires a lot of skill and patience. Either

learn to process and print your own images, or go to a printer of

a pro lab and develop a good working rapport with him/her.

[nige_buddy]

and in addition to what else has been said, read up about JPG file formats and their compression :)

[pete_andrews]

The simple answer is: more development = more contrast.<br>Exposure controls the amount of shadow detail you get, and development controls the contrast of the film.<p>From your examples, it seems that the exposure is OK.<br>There's detail in the shaded part of the trees, although that wooden leg appears slightly underexposed. The film simply needs more development.

[eco_foto]

For me I've found that when I do use filters in my B+W photography I lose alot of punch ,contrast,definition, ect. although the 25red darkens the sky it gives a misty effect to the remainder of the image same to be true with others I've tried oh well maybe its just me but I'm shooting less and less dependent on filters!!!!