Split
grade printing will work with all multi/variable grade papers
whether resin coated or fibre base. But will it? Silverprint a
London based company produce a limited grade paper that is very cost
effective but is only produced in small batches.
Silverproof
paper is still classed as a multi grade even though it does not have
the full range of grades of the major manufactures. The paper is
marketed as a proof paper for contact printing. Which I initially
used it for. Until I up graded my processing tank to a 16 x 12, it was
the only paper on the shelf of the right size to give this new bit of
kit a workout! ( mentioned in an earlier post). It was then that I
discovered it was more than a proof paper. I liked the tones it
produced; admittedly these were graded prints.
After
spending sometime getting to know what the paper could do at
different grades with dodging and burning (some hundred sheets
later); I started to play with the idea that it maybe possible to use
the split grade method with Silverproof paper. The next time I was in
the darkroom I set about testing the idea. Before I started I had to
make my mind up as to what grades should be used with this paper. I
settled on the basic method (as described in an earlier post) of
using grade zero and five as a starting point adjusting the grades if
necessary.
With
the soft test print floating in the holding tank, I had to study it
carefully when looking at the segments - it looked like a standard
grade test print. I did wonder if this would be the case. Unperturbed
by this I looked to the highlights and made a decision to expose for
27 seconds and then changed the enlarger settings for grade five. I
felt that I needed to carry the test to its conclusion to be sure
that the split grade method would not work. Fifteen minutes later the
hard test print was floating in the holding tank. It was quite
difficult to see the degrees of contrast between each segment making
the decision to choose 12 seconds a educated guess. Looking back it
was not the best subject to use for the first test, as the light was
striking the scene head on.
Once
the print was developed I studied it against both the test prints and
felt that the split grade method had worked well enough for me to go
forward with a second negative. This time the highly contrasty
negative of the trees was used. With this picture it was easy to see
the split grade method at work. I was almost side tracked by the
amount of contrast the longer timed segments were indicating. I had
to remind myself it was about tonality and chose accordingly.
Conclusion:
When
using this method with Silverproof paper you need to choose the
negatives you wish to print on the paper with care as it can be quite
difficult to see an advantage over straight grade exposure.
Related post:
Silverproof paper
updated 2021
Please note that since writing this article silverproof paper is no longer made but the method is the same no matter what paper is used.
