Double exposure, split-grade filter diffusion print

Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.4 (Windows);
img119_March 11, 2015__LR4

The original exposure was an accidental in-camera double exposure, my very first photo (actually, first two photos) with my then new-to-me Rolleiflex 2.8C TLR. I inadvertently activated the double exposure device while loading and winding the film. I liked the effect and decided to try a custom darkroom printing technique I'd read about.

Printed using a technique I learned from a Shutterbug article written by Ron Prager back in the 1990s.

Split-grade printing is used: variable contrast paper, with part of the exposure using yellow filtration, the other part using magenta. Selective dodging/burning may be used along with this diffusion technique.

A sheet of clear acetate is fogged with hairspray - I prefer old fashioned Aquanet, which dries quickly with no gummy residue.

During *one* part of the split-grade exposure -- magenta *or* yellow, but not both -- use the fogged acetate sheet between the lens and paper to provide diffusion. Diffusion during the magenta filtration stage will produce dramatic results, with some spillover into the highlights. During the yellow stage diffusion will be less dramatic, retaining sharper contrast (due to un-diffused magenta filtration).

Depending on the choices made, the effect is reminiscent of using negative clarity in Lightroom and other editing software. It can be subtle or extreme, all the way to producing a halo effect, with bizarre darker penumbra type halos around high contrast transitions. In extremes the effect is somewhat reminiscent of bromoil printing or charcoal sketches.