Practice question · Numerical answer
A scene has a subject brightness range of nine stops. A normal print holds about seven. How many zones of contraction are needed?
Hints
- Subtract what the paper holds from what the subject offers.
- Nine minus seven.
Show the answer
2
Why
Two zones, which is an N−2 development. The subject offers two stops more than the paper can accommodate, so the negative must be developed to a lower contrast index to squeeze them in. The alternative, printing on a very soft paper, is available and gives a flatter result in the mid-tones.
Practise Contrast Control
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