A Tale of Two Prints – January 14, 2008
Just like I’ve been messing around shooting Polaroids to experiment
and expand my vision, I’ve also been experimenting with different
printing techniques in the darkroom. I’ve been trying all kinds
of different things as I work on a series of close-ups of various body
parts. In my mind I think I know what I want, but instead of just going
with my initial instincts I’ve been forcing myself to make radically
different prints of the same negative. I guess I’m trying to understand
what is possible, as well as shock my system into seeing differently.
It’s been quite an interesting process and has certainly helped me
to see that my first choice is not the only choice. It never ceases to amaze
me how the same negative can produce infinitely different prints. To me
at least fifty percent of B&W photography is interpreting the negative
in the darkroom. The possibilities are endless and I can’t imagine
leaving that control in the hands of another person.
With that said, below are rough prints from the same negative. In the
first image, the negative was printed with significantly less contrast
and about two stops darker than would have been the case with a fairly
conventional interpretation of the negative. The print was then lightly
selenium toned before being radically bleached.
The next print was printed in almost the exact opposite way, with the
negative printed about two stops lighter than normal convention would
dictate. In addition the contrast was increased by a full grade. The print
was then heavily selenium toned before being lightly bleached.
I think both prints need some work and additional tweaking and both have
some obvious issues and inconsistencies. But that’s not the point.
I just wanted to see what could be done with this negative and to try and
expand my boundaries. I think both prints have some merit and both go a
long way in creating vastly different moods, all from one simple negative.
I love the idea of endless possibilities. |
