Split Grade Printing With the Analyser Pro
Introduction
Split Grade printing is a popular technique for black and white printmaking in the darkroom. Basically, variable grade B&W paper is exposed with two different filters (usually grade 00 and grade 5) one after the other instead of exposing the paper with a single grade.
The two major upsides of this method are:
It simplifies dodging and burning.
If done properly, it is quite easy to create a “technically correct” print that reproduces all the information of a given negative.
The downside is that it requires you to determine two separate exposure times for two different grades and it can therefore be a very test strip-intensive endeavour.
If you have a proper enlarging meter like the RH Designs Analyser Pro (see review), you might not feel the need to use split grade printing at all, because determining the proper grade is a very fast and repeatable process with such a device.
Nonetheless, if a certain negative just does not turn out the way it should, split grade might be the answer.
Required Equipment
Variable grade photographic paper (e.g. Ilford MG IV, Adox MCC 110)
Grade filters (e.g. FOMA Variant Filters)
RH Designs Analyser Pro / 500 (official distributor)
Split Grade Printing - Basic
Unlike printing with a single grade, two exposure times have to be determined. Insert the negative and follow the steps below.
The sample negative displays very harsh contrasts and is therefore very difficult to print.
Determining Exposure – “White Point”
Set the Analyser Pro to grade 00 and take a measurement of a high-density area which should render white or near-white in the final print.
Adjust the exposure time until the tone indicator corresponds to the desired part of the greyscale. Aim for the left side, which displays the whites.
If you want, you can now print a test strip to make fine adjustments
Note the time and grade 00.
Clear the reading from the Analyser Pro.
Measuring the white point in a high density area.
Determining Exposure – “Black Point”
Set the Analyser Pro to grade 5 and take a measurement of a low-density area which should render black or near-black in the final print.
Adjust the exposure time until the tone indicator corresponds to the desired part of the greyscale.
If you want, you can now print a test strip to make fine adjustments
Note the time and grade 5.
Measuring the white point in a high density area.
Printing
Now, you just have to insert the 00 filter and expose the paper according for the determined time noted under grade 00 (“White Point”). After that, change the grade to 5 and expose the paper for the predetermined time noted under grade 5 (“Black Point”). Then, process the print and check the result. All the grey values between the measured white point and black point should be on the paper.
Please note that a properly calibrated RH Designs Analyser Pro is necessary to get good results. It is important to know where the Zones fall on the Greyscale of your device. Check the calibration manual that comes with your device for detailed instructions.
Split Grade Printing – Advanced
Multiple Measurements
Measure the black point, white point and a third measurement in an important area (e.g. a subject’s face) that is supposed to render grey. Leave all the three measurements in the Analyser Pros memory, so that they are displayed on the greyscale simultaneously. Now you can judge the overall contrast and the amount of relevant exposure the different values get during the grade 00 and grade 5 phases.
Dodging and Burning
Split grade printing does not eliminate the need for dodging and burning. A print with undesirable tonal values in certain areas requires additional manipulation.
But as the exposure is split up in two different steps, it is easier to work on the blacks and whites of a negative. It is important to figure out whether the area you want to work on prints below or above middle grey in the “technically correct” print. This determines whether you should dodge and burn during the grade 00 or grade 5 phase.
