Digital BW, The Print

David Kachel has written the truth: finally a set of recommendations for 
this thread that make sense... I can add one short dictum that helps to 
keep the process simple: "Over expose and under develop." The over 
exposure boosts shadow detail. The under development reduces highlight 
contrast. The combination makes negatives that are much easier to print 
and/or scan. When scanning, scan as a positive rather than a negative. 
Do the inversion in Photoshop, not in the scanning software....
Film development is, for me, one of the most interesting parts of the 
photographic process. So much can be done at that stage that really 
affects how your image looks in print.
Happy souping!
Paul

Paul Kohl
Visiting Professor: Art, Design and Media
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore