ABSTRACT
Split-Grade printing is a method by which a separate soft and hard exposure is used to make a print with an overall intermediate contrast setting on variable-contrast paper. Since photography shows some correlation between measurement and subjective evaluation, we can dispel some myths concerning this technique in this first part and ready ourselves for the more interesting uses in the next chapter. As a printing technique, split-grade printing is remarkable, for it can offer even and fine contrast control with either normalized shadow or highlight exposure and with relatively short exposures. Although at first it can feel cumbersome, with a little practice it can find favor with tricky printing situations. In photography there can be many tools and methods used to achieve the final result. As with many art forms, each method has its devotees and denouncers. While this makes for entertaining discussion, it does rather miss the point. Split-Grade printing is one of those alternative techniques that works all of the time for some and some of the time for all. After all, every B&W photographic printing technique uses blue and/or green light to expose the printing paper. So why do some printers prefer one grade controlling technique to another? What rules do they use to judge? Final print https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780240816265/ffb21561-2f2c-4dca-99ec-f086fc154d4d/content/figch42_1_OC.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
