high vs low contrast developers for beginners in Black & White Practice Posted July 31, 2003 I am relatively new to B&W developing and am a little confused about high/low contrast film developers.Does using a low contrast developer for the negative reduce my ability to reproduce deep blacks and white highlights when it comes to printing? Or does using a high contrast developer give less even gradation?For example I have heard that higher dilutions of Rodinal gives less contrast and fantastic gradation, but does this come at the cost of strong highlights and shadows?Would a high or low contrast developer be better for a beginner for a wide range of subjects? Or am I worrying for nothing about things that can just be adjusted when printing. Thanks for your help.
high vs low contrast developers for beginners
in Black & White Practice
Posted
I am relatively new to B&W developing and am a little confused about
high/low contrast film developers.
Does using a low contrast developer for the negative reduce my
ability to reproduce deep blacks and white highlights when it comes
to printing? Or does using a high contrast developer give less even
gradation?
For example I have heard that higher dilutions of Rodinal gives less
contrast and fantastic gradation, but does this come at the cost of
strong highlights and shadows?
Would a high or low contrast developer be better for a beginner for a
wide range of subjects? Or am I worrying for nothing about things
that can just be adjusted when printing.
Thanks for your help.