Digital BW, The Print

Hi Don --

Thanks for the CMOS/CCD information.  That's what I suspected, and 
that's what gives me pause about moving to digital.  By using n-1, n-
2 development times and a good exposure, we can with film capture 
more tonal detail from high-contrast scenes and thus create a 
greater dramatic impact. Or so it seems at first glance.  Perhaps I 
just haven't read enough on how to handle high-contrast scenes with 
a digital camera.  Any suggestions??


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "D. Hill" 
<hill14701@y...> wrote:
> Darrell,
> 
> CMOS and CCD chips are more similar to slide film than
> of black and white film, being as they have much less
> latitude.  From basic camera controls in initial
> capture, there is not a method to stretch the latitude
> of the CCD.  
> 
> You can mimic the effects of n-1, n-2. etc., from
> various controls in photoshop - but that defeats the
> purpose of placing specific values or zones on site.
> 
> As the digital camera is just an imaging device, you
> can apply zone system techniques for far less work in
> photoshop.
> 
> My capture process:
> 
> 1. Read scene with handheld lightmeter, placing my
> important value.  I have determined the optimal ISO of
> my 10d is 80 with my materials.
> 2. Capture in RAW mode.
> 3. Transfer images to photoshop as 16 bit tiff.
> 4. Convert image to greyscale.
> 
> At this point the specific zone placed will fall
> exactly where I want it - without levels or curves
> manipulation.  The process is quite simple, and saves
> hours in photoshop.  I save this as my master file,
> making any corrections then printing.
>  
> Write me directly if you would like to know my process
> for determining the proper ISO for digital, as well as
> constructing a zone ruler to see the latitude of your
> imaging chip.
> 
> Don
> 
> 
> --- darrelleifert <darrelleifert@y...> wrote:
> > Hi Folks --
> > 
> > Forgive me if this is a *very* basic question that
> > has been answered 
> > before, but a web search hasn't turned up much
> > useful information.  
> > 
> > The well-known advantage of using B&W film is the
> > ability to expand 
> > or contract developing times in order to obtain both
> > shadow and 
> > highlight detail in the finished print.  When using
> > a digital camera 
> > to make what will eventually become a "fine art" B&W
> > print, is there 
> > any known technique that mimics the N-1 or N-2 film
> > development 
> > process?  Thanks!
> > 
> > -- Darrell
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
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