Re: Drydown and other esoteric mysteries

[Tom Campbell <tcphoto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tim Rudman wrote:

 In practice though I know of no
> photographic printers who do this -- because in time one automatically
> allows for it - through 'practice and experience'. It's like most
> judgement skills, it becomes automatic eventually - like driving.

Well, you now "know" one who does<g>.  But you're right that the
judgement method is probably practically my preference.  I"ve conducted
the tests, but generally still use the eyeball method.  On close calls,
a quick "near-dry" with a hair dryer helps check how those high values
will actually appear.  The tests only give a reference for the visual
evaluation.

And, while this affects both approaches, different batches of the same
brand often exhibit at least *slightly* different dry-down
characteristics.  So, unless you scientifically test each emulsion run,
experience is probably the best yardstick.

One thing this issue points up, however, is the importance of using one
or two papers and really knowing their characteristics.  If you have a
stock of 27 different papers, that judgement becomes difficult
(impossible???).

Tom Campbell
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