I have done very little split filter printing until recently, and have found the results very rewarding. I remember when I started in the dark room, only 4-5 years ago. My instructor gave us a demonstration on split filter printing. One of the other students had a negative of a grave stone in the shape of a cross lying down, with a large contrast. When she was done helping him with the print the lichen and other moss on the stone was just amazing along with the highlights of the stone. In order to burn and dodge this print I don’t think it could have been done with the same out come? She also made a comment at the time that most landscapes would benefit from split filter printing, “not just a way to save that thin negative”. Anyhow I was wondering how many of you in fact do this regularly with high contrast prints, and I do not mean digitally. I compared a print that I just did with no filters, and then did the same one with a #5 filter, then again with a #0 filter. Wow the print reveled with very little dodging, and no burning at all. I was just amazed with the advantages of this technique, because I never seriously played around with it before. Obviously I have a lot to learn to master the fine craftsmanship it takes to be a better than average printer……Second part of the question; I have boxes of 100 sheet Kodak RC paper that was half price and still fresh. When I bought it they had one box of Ilford multigrade IV. I tried that the other day just to see if there was a difference between RC papers. I was very amazed with the Ilford paper. I hate do go out and buy paper when I have 400 sheets plus now, but I think it is time to try some Ilford multigrade Fiber base in 11x14? Unless someone can convince me of another VC paper to try for enlarging, or is this a personal preference type of question? Will the print look better or noticeably different with fiber base, rather than RC? I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks,
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