Digital BW, The Print

I know garbage in/garbage out.

I also have struggled with scanning.  The negatives that I struggle 
with the most digitally right now are tightly toned and they 
posterize out...it doesn't seem to matter which methodoligy I employ 
to spread 'em. 

Partaking in some print exchanges it was evident those with more 
meticulous FILM development skills were also making better prints.

So I went back and shot some film recently and developed in a more 
disciplined manner (still pretty loose).  The negatives LOOK thinnish 
to me.  I've always responded to the GRAPHIC nature of the negative 
(overdeveloped) and fought through it in the print (silver).

Recent experience changes that some...respond to the graphics in the 
cameras finder, develop for tonal spread which may appear thinner 
than comfort allows and then process (scan or silver print) to the 
desired effect.

This change in process resulted in scans that were easy to preview 
and easier to adjust.  They printed out better in CMYK than RGB - I 
was able to curve adj/Auto just the black channel to get the blacks 
spread while keeping my middle tones.  At present I'm using a PC, 
1270 w/ MIS VM inks and often NO PRINT adjustment curves. 

FWIW.
Cleavis