I am considering exploring Split Developer processing (Dektol+Selectol Soft) as a means of contrast control with VC papers.

Does this make sense or does it introduce too many sliding variables in my image control?

In particular, does this gain me any advantages over split filter printing, with localized dodging and burning with high and low filters or has split grade printing and VC papers essentially made the split development technique obsolete?

Any input welcome...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 16, 2001

Answers

Using two developers is a technique for finding in-between grades when printing on graded papers. You have much better control over contrast with VC paper. That said, however, I think there is a lot to be gained from experimenting with various developers (not just Dektol & Selectol Soft).

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), February 16, 2001.

Just to add a bit to Ed's response: If you have continuously variable contrast control of your VC paper with a dichroic head or the like, then split developing techniques will probably not gain you anything whatsoever. However, if you use VC filters and need an intermediate contrast grade, split developing will allow you to acheive it. Split developing will not allow you to control the local contrast of different areas of a print like split-contrast printing on VC paper will. Hope this saves you some time and effort. Regards, ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), February 17, 2001.

Split deveopment with grade paper can give a whole different feel to the print, besides just contrast control i.e. beer's developer. Tends to open the shadow areas with a gentle feel that is hard to describe but easy to see. Why not just "play" and see how you like the results.

-- Ann Clancy (aclancy@mediaone.com), February 17, 2001.

Check the links at the bottom of http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ktphotonics/news.htm for interesting piece on split-filter printing (articles that appeared in "Camera & Darkroom" I think). It shows pretty conclusively that split-filter printing offers local controls that you can't get from merely varying developer contrast characteristics. njb

-- Nacio Brown (njb@limn.net), February 17, 2001.

Dr. Beers Developer works great for contrast control and fine tuning!!! I do think you have to mix it up yourself but if you go to Photo Formulary, they might have it in stock. I just mix it up myself and have done it for years. It is easy to use... just add incremental parts of solution B to change your contrast. Email me if you need more info and the recipe. I'll send you a PDF file. Cheers

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), February 20, 2001.