The student set of ilford contrast just turned up so I tried them out today. Whilst easier than using the colour head I am still getting low contrast prints, I can’t seem to grasp where I’m going wrong.
My method is I make a test strip with no filters to judge the best overall exposure. Then I make a larger test with the time I’ve picked. If the contrast is too low I work my way up the contrast filters until I’m happy.
However I made a print today that even with the contrast 5 filter looked too dark and had no bright whites.
The “final” print was made at f8 with the 5 filter for 10 seconds.
What should be my next step? Would reducing the exposure time allow the highlights to pop more whilst keeping the darks dark? I’m assuming that increasing the exposure time wouldn’t help as it would just burn in the highlights more. Or have I not understood it?
My method is I make a test strip with no filters to judge the best overall exposure. Then I make a larger test with the time I’ve picked. If the contrast is too low I work my way up the contrast filters until I’m happy.
However I made a print today that even with the contrast 5 filter looked too dark and had no bright whites.
The “final” print was made at f8 with the 5 filter for 10 seconds.
What should be my next step? Would reducing the exposure time allow the highlights to pop more whilst keeping the darks dark? I’m assuming that increasing the exposure time wouldn’t help as it would just burn in the highlights more. Or have I not understood it?