Darkroom Dave: Split Grade Pirnting

Not far from the Ilford tree, the master printer trained at Ilford labs known as Darkroom Dave on Youtube offers and alternate process to achieve good print exposure without dodging & burning.

The technique of split grade printing, by using filters with multigrade paper, is demonstrated from start to finish by Dave.  Rather than using a single filter, such as a number 2.5 grade filter, he uses two filters, often a number 1.0 filter and a number 5.0 filter.

The lower the number, the lower the contrast.  Dave suggests using a 1.5 filter instead of a 1.0 filter for more contrast in the finished print, or a 0 filter for a less contrasty look.  He always uses the 5 filter.

Watch Dave make is his magic work in the darkroom, from determining the exposure, through trial prints to the finished product: