Re: Drydown and other esoteric mysteries

[Tim Rudman <tim.rudman@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom Campbell wrote:
> 
> Peter De Smidt wrote:
> 
> (Quoting Barnbaum)
> 
>  As the developed silver grains bunch together more closely
> > as the print dries and shrinks, the subtle detail will appear more
> > prominently.  This intensity increase in the highlights during drying is
> > the only "dry-down" effect I have ever observed, but I have not observed
> > new detail appearing.
> 
> I agree with most of this post except this point.  I have seen detail
> appear that was not visible "wet".  I also recall Ansel talking about
> having to reprint an entire portfolio run of a print for this reason.
> Perhaps there are other factors as work to explain the difference
> (paper, developer, ad infinitum) for, while I don't recall seeing any of
> his actual prints, the reproductions show he obviously knows what he's
> talking about.  So I don't "formally disagree", but have had other
> experience.
> 
> I also am a little reluctant to recommend NOT using a reasonably bright
> inspection light.  If you are working under a bright safelight (like the
> Thomas), there is less dark adaptation going on.  Also, I usually turn
> on the light before the second fix is completed to accomplish other
> tasks while agitating, so by the time I get around to starting the
> evaluation process, I'm in room-light mode.  I think the theory
> presented is sound, but its practical application will vary with
> environment and working procedures.
> 
> The emphasis is on "reasonable".  I use 100W soft c. 6 ft. from the
> print, after first using room-light for an initial impression.
> 
> And, no final evaluation can be made until the print is studied under
> light identical to that under which it will displayed.  The finest
> prints are made taking that viewing environment into
> consideration---admittedly, not always a possibility and there are some
> darned good "one print fits all lights" halides hanging.
> 
> Good point to raise though.  I remember CONSTANTLY telling my students
> not to judge prints under safelight.  Barring quantity bread-and-butter
> stuff, I think that's something *every* good printer will agree on.  I
> guess the "middle grounds" we choose are what makes for photographic
> diversity.
> 
> Tom Campbell
> *
> ****
> *******
> ******************************************************
> *  To remove yourself from this list, send:          *
> *         UNSUBSCRIBE INFRARED                       *
> *       to                                           *
> *         MAJORDOMO@xxxxx                            *
> *----------------------------------------------------*
> *   For the IR-FAQ, IR-Gallery and heaps of links:   *
> *  http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm  *
> ******************************************************


Drydown as always has raised some stimulating discussion! It was Bruce
Barnbaum's 'wet up' theory that I had in mind in my first reply to this
question. Others have also written on the importance of the wet bench
viewing light and this cannot be underestimated.

Personally I don't agree that DD doesn't really exist at all. Other
writers have 'proved' its existence convincingly with sensitometry, and
as I said earlier, critically timed 'max flash'  strips on fibre paper
reveal the lightest tone only after drying - certainly not when wet and
not even after sqeegeeing. I have a microwave in my darkroom for this
purpose and for the critical cases mentioned by Tom Campbell. I
recommend this if you have room.

I shall miss the rest of this discussion as I am off to the sunshine to
finish my book until the end of May.

Tim Rudman
*
****
*******
******************************************************
*  To remove yourself from this list, send:          *
*         UNSUBSCRIBE INFRARED                       *
*       to                                           *
*         MAJORDOMO@xxxxx                            *
*----------------------------------------------------*
*   For the IR-FAQ, IR-Gallery and heaps of links:   *
*  http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm  *
******************************************************

------------------------------

End of Infrared-Digest V0 #537
******************************