Digital BW, The Print

I use both Overlay and Soft Light blend modes, experimenting with 
each at various levels of opacity.  I typically use the eraser to go 
back to the original image in places where the blend mode goes too 
far, one way or another.  I find that I often need a curves layer 
after the first print to bring up the contrast or some part of the 
tonal range.  One question -- is reducing the file size the only 
reason to use a blank adjustment layer rather than copying the 
background?  I should add that I also use a soft light medium gray 
layer to burn and dodge -- by varying the opacity of the brush you 
have very fine control over the process.

Steve

Steve

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carolyn Frayn 
<carolynfrayn@s...> wrote:
> You might also try a soft light blend rather than overlay, subtle, 
not so
> destructive to your histo... also try a contrast mask on the 
overlay or soft
> light so that only those areas you want effected will be.
> 
> Rather than duping the background layer, use a curve or levels 
adjustment
> layer, don't set anything within the adjustment but set the layer 
itself to
> the overlay or softlight mode, that way, you get the same effect 
without
> doubling your file size... Sometimes if warranted I'll do a curve 
adjustment
> within the blend mode.
> 
> I assume that a curve adjustment just isn't kicking it enough? Have 
you
> tried using the eye droppers to set endpoints, rather than just 
moving the
> end points in in the histo, giving a better depth?
> 
> Carolyn
> 
> > 
> > In order to achieve a decent contrast range in any of my prints 
(on
> > EAM or Photorag & MIS inks) I always have to duplicate the 
Background
> > Layer (with varying opacities) and set the Blend Mode to Overlay.
> > 
> > If I dont, I never get a decent contrast with a good black tone. 
To
> > try and give you a "picture" - in traditional printing I favour 
grade
> > 3 or 4 rather than grade 2 or 1.
> > 
> > Is this a perfectly acceptable method of working or am I doing
> > something wrong further up the line. Are others using the same 
trick
> > 
> > thanks
> > Frank
> >