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The idea of split filtering
is to use multiple (usually 2) contrast filters to achieve a greater
range of tones than is possible using just one contrast filter.
The rule of thumb is to have a difference of at least two
between filters (ie. 2-4) |
| Example: Here
is a negative that was over-exposed (left). The information is
present, but the tones between the brightest point and the darkest
are very close to each other resulting in a low contrast (flat)
image (right). |
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| The first thing to try
to fix this, is to raise the contrast filter. Unfortunately, this
usually fills in too many of the darker grays and blows out the
detail in the highlights (left). We could try printing the lower
filter at less time to keep our highlights, but it would just result
in a light gray print with no "true" black (right). |
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The only way to get both
detail in your highlights and have a true black in your shadow
areas is to divide the time between two filters; split filter.
Once you decide that a single filter isn't going to give you the
results you want, then it's time to split filter. |
| How To Split
Filter |
| 1.) Using a low filter
(00-2) make a test strip to determine your print time for your
highlights (left, 3 second increments). Basically, you are only
trying to identify at what point does your highlights area start
to fill in gray. This image is going gray pretty fast so I would
probably use the second one (6 seconds, right). Make a print,
but don't develop it yet. |
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| 2.) Now that we have
our highlights, with detail, we will try to bring back our shadow
areas. Now take out the lower filter and insert a filter at least
2 greater than what you were using (above was a #1filter, so
I need at least a #3 filter) I want a little more contrast so
I am going to use a #5 filter. Go ahead and make a test strip
right over the latent image you made in step one (left). At what
Point does your black go black? That's your time for the second
filter. Here it is somewhere between the second to last and the
last one; I chose 14 seconds. Now make a full print using both
filters and times (right). |
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The final print times
ended up being: #1 filter for 6 seconds and a #5 filter for 14
seconds.
Normally using a high filter such as 5 for the entire time
would produce filled in shadows and blown out highlights, but
because you are only using the high filter for a percentage
of the time, it will make your shadows black without filling
them in entirely. It would usually blow out your highlights
too, but we printed those in in step one!.
Adjust your filters to fine-tune your image
It doesn't matter whether you start with a high or low filter,
but most people start with the lower one. |
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