Digital BW, The Print

The intent of this letter is twofold, first to present my viewpoint 
and the other to stimulate a response, either pro or con.  

Concerning B&W film

Scene range can be 1:50,000 or more
B&W film range is about 1:120
No. 2 paper about a 1:50 range

Any B&W print is an abstraction of  the original scene.
How you select to present that abstraction is a matter of choice.
The limiting factor is the paper range.

The ideal negative would fit the range of the paper and present the 
elements in the scene that are important to you.
The ideal negative could be one that prints on a No.2 paper or any 
other grade that matches the type of negative that contains the 
densities you need to make the print you visualize. 

Every paper contrast grade has the same white and black, it is the 
number of steps in between that are determined by paper grade.

Not every photograph requires a No.2 negative or paper to obtain a 
desired effect.
The important thing is to have the correct negative range for the 
paper contrast used to carry out the intent of the photograph.

The method for controlling negative density range for many 
photographers is the Zone System.  It also is the tool for making 
visualization of the finished photo possible before the shutter is 
tripped.  

Question:
 A negative is made on Kodalith film.  There is only one density, 
maximum density.  Therefore the print will only be black and white.  
What paper will be the best to use for printing?

Answer:
Any grade
All grades have black and white, the negative does not contain any 
other densities so the negative range fits all of the paper ranges 
with correct paper exposure and development.

I wonder if the author of the post about Kodalith (who did not sign their
name to it) has ever used the film.  Try shooting the film at ASA 12 (in
flat light) or ASA 6 (in contrasty light).  Develop in DK50, D76, or HC110B
for four to twelve minutes by inspection.  I think you will be astonished at
the superlative tonal range of this film.  I have done it, and I know other
photographers who have soft and luminous landscape prints in the Museum of
Modern Art, made with precisely this technique.

Tom Robinson

> Question:
> A negative is made on Kodalith film.  There is only one density,
> maximum density.  Therefore the print will only be black and white.
> What paper will be the best to use for printing?
> 
> Answer:
> Any grade
> All grades have black and white, the negative does not contain any
> other densities so the negative range fits all of the paper ranges
> with correct paper exposure and development.