Multi-Multi-Grade
When my parents sold their home to downsize I helped heave their worldly possessions onto the moving van - with my camera slung around my neck.
While dad took taking a breather puffing on a ciggy in the cluttered garage I took a photo.
Months later in my darkroom, in my own garage, I made a small 7 x 5" print. I remember the scene, bathed in light from the window behind creating heavy shadows and harsh highlights while lighting up the smoke from dad’s cigarette.
A damn tricky little print. Multiple test strips with low grade filters (strip 2 & 3) kept the contrast flat which in turn helped show up the smoke hanging in the air. But I needed to introduce contrast to give this image depth.
Printing with the split grade allowed precise control at both ends of the contrast spectrum. But adding a third? A tri-split print? Why not? There were many subtle shades just waiting to be eased out.
2 / Grade #2
3 / Grade #1
4 / 16 sec Base @ Grade #1 + 1 sec at Grade #5
7 / 16 sec Base @ Grade #2 + 2 sec @ Grade #4
8 / 16 sec Base @ Grade #1 + 10 sec @ Grade #4 + 8 sec @ Grade #5
9 / 16 sec Base @ Grade #1 + 5 sec @ Grade #4 + 5 sec @ Grade #5
