PRINTING PROCESSES 



425 



General Characteristics of Positive PHnting Papers. — Under this heading in the chap- 

 ter on Photographic Materials will be found a discussion of the various paper charac- 

 teristics such as speed, color sensitivity, effect of development on contrast, image tone, 

 sheen, texture, weight or thickness, etc. 



Choics of Negative Contrast. — The question arises as to whether it is preferable to 

 develop negatives to a low or a high gamma and then to use a paper of proper contrast 

 to bring the final reproduction to the desired point, from the standpoint of true tone 

 rendition. In general, it is preferable to develop the negative to a good contrast and 

 then to use a soft grade of paper. In this manner better over-all rendition will be 

 secured. The reason is the fact that there is less difference between the straight part 

 and the toe and shoulder portions of a soft paper than of a hard paper. 



2.0 



1.75 



1.5 



c 

 d 



cl.O 

 o 



1.25- 



^0.751- 

 ^0.5 



0.25 



0.0 



12 



18 24 30 36 4248 



Shadow Middle Tone Highiighf 

 Range Range Range 



2-1 2-1 2-r 



Fig. 9. — Compression of shadows and high lights by using curved parts of characteristic. 

 Negative opacity range 8-1 Print brightness range 52.5-1 



Negative shadow range 2-1 Print shadow range 1.6-1 



Negative medium tone range 2-1 Print medium tone range 11.0-1 



Negative high-light range 2-1 Print high-light range 3.0-1 



High, Key. Low Key.- — Prints are often labeled as "full scale," "soft," "low key," 

 etc. The following table is taken from an article on print control, by Laurence But- 

 ton, in Miniature Camera Monthly: 



Table IV. — Print Characteristics 



