Contact Sheets - A powerful darkroom printing strategy

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Making proofs and contact sheets is a must to keep your negatives organized.
Contact sheets are also an invaluable tool for gauging a black and white negative for printing. They can help you gauge print grade, contrast and approach to that particular print.
Not enough photographers take the time to make adequate contact sheets to give them the information they need.
This video explains how I make and use contact sheets and proofs in my darkroom printing workflow.
Hope you enjoy!
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Relevant Links //
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Art of Photography (Bruce Barnbaum) -amzn.to/3qfxsVA
Printfile Contact Proofer - amzn.to/3mgAmIt
Ilford HP5 - amzn.to/3oPiyTU
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Go to film photography setup //
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Hasselblad 500 CM - ebay.us/I76k2J
120mm CF f-4 Makro - ebay.us/gX4UVm
80mm CF 2.8 - ebay.us/BRBAuT
50mm CFE f-4 - ebay.us/rcJhiz
Go to film - amzn.to/3oPiyTU
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Go to digital camera setup //
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Canon R5 - amzn.to/35FUX0r
Canon 24mm f1.4 L ii - amzn.to/3FAqfW4
Canon 35mm f1.4 L ii - amzn.to/3ioIBPl
Canon 50mm f1.2 RF - amzn.to/2N47Hax
Canon 85mm f1.2 - amzn.to/38PaH34
Canon 135 f2 L - amzn.to/3xaRnIi
Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter - amzn.to/30O2ieX
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Thank you so much for watching!
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Опубликовано:

17 дек 2021

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Комментарии : 74

@Bartuul 2 года назад

When I first started printing in a darkroom I've always made contact sheets - for me it was the essence of silver gelating printing. Like the first thing you see, when you think about darkroom printing. After a while though I've stopped doing it, simply because I found it a waste of paper and chemicals (I usually print 13x18cm, so mixing much more chemicals just for one or two 24x30cm sheets seemed like a waste). But lately I started doing them again as an overview of my pictures. I just keep an air tight bottle of developer just for this purpose and I never make a printing session of a negative on the same day I've made the contact sheet. It gives me time to evaluate the frames with a cool head, and better organize my use of time and chemicals in the darkroom. Once I've found a few frames from different rolls I want enlarged, I just plan a darkroom session and go from there. In the meanthime I just sit down with my contact sheets every few days and reevaluate what I have. I've also tried going digital contact sheets -> darkroom print, but I just like the whole process being analog and physical. :)

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

That is the same as me. Stopes for a long time cause I hated using the paper…. I have heard of others who will just “sit”!with there proofs and work prints for awhile. I have tried this and I usually end up just getting to excited and can’t stop printing 😂

@josephasghar 2 года назад

Contacts in and of themselves I find rather pleasing, like some visual geometric diary of one’s creative life.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

They do have a cool look to them. I always liked seeing like old rock and roll band contact sheets... find that stuff fascinating.

@JohnH-zl4eq 2 года назад

I'm waiting to get a full darkroom setup but still love to watch your videos. Excellent delivery and explanations.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Awesome, thank you!

@randallstewart175 2 года назад

For many years, I neglected doing contact prints, however about 30 years ago, I spent a lot of time playing catch-up. Thereafter, I have made doing contact sheets the regular next step after developing my films. It's not that hard to do if you organize the workflow. I differ with the video on the matter of tailoring individual images to improve the overall consistency of the contact sheet images. IMO, one of the most important aspects of the sheet is to show such deviations. These alert you to problems in your exposure technique and your need to solve a problem. Masking individual images for special exposure, perhaps also applying different contrast filters as well, is very time consuming and inefficient. This activity is more usefully reserved for individual working prints. If a contact sheet image is so far off the standard set by the overall sheet that evaluation cannot be done, then that image is probably going to be difficult to print and will give a poor result. On the matter of filing sheets, my system is to three hole punch the sheet and file it in a three ring binder in front of the plastic page holding the related negative strips. Thumb up for the video.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I do agree fully with what you are saying about identifying problems with your process. That is also why I added the base exposure and max black info in the beginning. The contact sheet can indeed show you what is wrong in your process. In the example Sheets that I used being on 120 film some of the highlights were just out of range not to be able to see them on a "correct contact print". This is mostly because they were on roll film and could not be developed individually. I would not change contrast for individual negatives on a contact sheet. What I am doing is looking for all the information the negative contains. Using a low contrast filter allows me to see all the detail from shadows through the highlights. On this sheet there were a few negatives that needed a few extra seconds exposure to be able to evaluate the highlights correctly. I personally find this very valuable. In fact one of those negatives I just printed and prob would not have if I did not see it in the final contact print. It might just be my favorite print yet! Being able to interpret and get the final vision from your negatives is what it is all about. sometimes this takes significant dodging and burning to bring the large density range on the negative to render on the final print how you want it to look. Having a bit more density can be very beneficial and do not think it going for the "thinnest negative possible" or underexposing "pushing" film is the best way to gain contrast especially if you want shadow depth and separation. All that being said. I agree if you're negatives are all out of whack and all over the place you need to get a grip on a consistent exposure and development routine before making adjustments for each negative. I found this method very interesting and have found it extremely valuable and worth the extra bit of time. but that is me personally. Everyone can get to where they want to be in different ways. I do highly recommend this book and it is the first one I recommend to everyone... Mostly because some of his different approaches that get him AMAZING results. Thanks for watching!

@marikapi01 2 года назад

I am currently (at the age of 60) doing art school / photography and we have to make contact sheets of every roll of film. We only use 135 film, so a little bit harder to evaluate. But we are told never to judge the exposure from the contact sheet. The contact sheet only has one purpose, and that is selection. So we only judge composition and overall look of the negative, so we can select the best negative for printing. If in doubt on the contrast/exposure we evaluate the negative itself on a light table.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Right on! I have never been to "school" per se but with 35 mm is a bit harder to judge things off of a contact sheet. However I feel it is much easier to judge contrast and how you want to print an actual print from a proof or contact sheet. There are many ways to get the results you are after.. When someone tells me to "never" do something I usually try it immediately :)

@MrMestrebimba 2 года назад

Hi, I just found your channel and I am super grateful for all the information that you're giving. Thank you so much!!!. I'm learning a lot.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

So awesome to hear. Thank you!

@DannerPlace 2 месяца назад

I should do more contact sheets. Some years ago, I did them all the time. I feel like I can evaluate 6x7 negs on the Lightbox pretty well. For 35mm, it's tougher.

@jonnoMoto 2 года назад

When I had access to a darkroom I found contact sheets useful to prioritize what to print. I wasn't making fine prints and was limited on time so I'd work out the time for 1 image and then print similar looking images from the contact sheet one after another with no timing/filter changes. This left the trickier looking images to the end or another session.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

That makes sense. Seems like an efficient way to go about it on limited time. thanks!

@cowboyyoga Год назад

A super video! And this book sounds interesting. Thank you for your support! )))

@DistinctionPhotoLLC Год назад

Your welcome! It is definitely one of my top 5 photography books!

@DannerPlace 2 месяца назад

Another excellent video. I ordered The Art of Photography, BTW.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 месяца назад

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated! That book is probably overall my favorite photography book.

@GeoffT650 2 года назад

Great video, very informative. Much better than my attempt.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@HayesPeterson 2 года назад

Man, this was so good to hear. I definitely need to be better about this. Happy new year 🤘🏼

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Happy new year!! You and me both!

@ChrisVidouras 2 года назад

Thank you for this.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

My pleasure!

@DannerPlace 2 месяца назад

Also, I agree about denser negs being easier to print. For HP5, I alway expose for ISO 320, and generally round-up the amount of light from the meter reading, so most of my negs are about 1-stop overexposed.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 месяца назад

That is exactly what I do for HP5 and it rarely disappoints 👍

@flavioserci6046 9 месяцев назад

Usually I expose my contact sheet to the maximum black exposure time with the base film. I can see immediately my mistakes, the perfect negatives, the right images etc. and I can discard immediately the worst negatives. If I want print in the darkroom Contact sheet are essential to understand the mistakes, developing times, exposure, etc.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 9 месяцев назад

This can tell you exactly what went wrong and what went right 👍

@flavioserci6046 9 месяцев назад

Oh yes... and it is faster. In one hour I can print a lot of contact sheets because I know my exposure time is the same.@@DistinctionPhotoLLC

@johnkaplun9619 8 месяцев назад

The ironic thing to me is I find contact sheets are by far the fastest way to see your images. I don't have a Frontier scanner so I by far find scanning to be the biggest PIA.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 8 месяцев назад

Not a fan of scanning myself. Has started becoming a necessary step in cataloging my negs so now it gets done first. So now I find myself with stacks of film that need scanning and proofing 🤷🏻‍♂️

@MrRyankriebel 2 года назад

I've been learning how to make contact sheets, and it's been very frustrating. I didn't see the point of having a contact sheet where only a few of the frames are exposed correctly. Last time I tried, I used a very soft contrast filter, which did help. I like the idea of using the black area as the gauge for exposure. and then the quick corrections with the strips of card stock. I'm going to try what you're recommending here, this was a great explanation. I'm so glad I found your channel. Liked and subscribed.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Glad you found it too! I have found it worth the extra effort but you have to decide for yourself what works best for you. I do think that having a max black test and recording everything is a great idea. That way you are not reinventing the wheel every time you go to make a contact sheet!

@terrywbreedlove 2 года назад

I have to admit I have been using my light table and iPhone to make contact sheets.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

That sounds interesting... Never thought to do that!

@Mark-el8sb 2 года назад

Thank you. I also find Bruce Barnbaum's 'The Art of Photography' book to be an excellent resource and worth owning.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

It is very well though out and just a ton of great Aha moments to be had!

@mike747436 2 года назад

I do routinely contact print my negs and yes, it can be frustrating when you’ve already identified good shots. Sometimes I can’t resist. I’ve been contact printing at grade 2; I’ll have to try a lower grade and see the results.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I am the same way... as soon as some are dry they go into the enlarger... Hard to stay disciplined. Printing them at very low contrast takes a little to get used too. but I find it very beneficial!

@apb_london 2 года назад

Just found this! I scan digital - from those I can browse easily and decide what to print. I can doge and burn and plan outside of the darkroom. You can also post online. I use contact prints as a part of having a catalog. All of this means time in the darkroom is well spent on the final print, but I can enjoy my photographs and planning anywhere.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I have started scanning all of my smaller formats now as well. Does help preview them quickly. Still make contact sheets to. Something about seeing them on photo paper. Especially large format. Scanning definitely makes it easier to post online!

@unpocodeluz_atill 2 года назад

Despite nowadays I scan my negatives to see them in the computer, I still make contact prints of them. Because they help me so mutch in the darkroom when I making the final print.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I do the same and feel the same way. Thank you!

@Adrian-wd4rn 2 года назад

I always do it, I'll do a small test strip, then make a full print, even if some are over or under, is fine. I stable it to the negative sleeve holder so I know when I go back, what exactly was on that roll.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

It is a great habit to get into. I have so many past rolls that I was lazy and skipped... Now it is a daunting task... wish I had been more disciplined from the get go!

@mathewmccarthy9848 2 года назад

Begrudgingly, I still make contact prints. I tend to let a stack of negatives/sheet protectors build up and then spend a day making contact prints. Sadly, as the day moves along, I become bored and my contact sheets aren't as nicely developed as the ones in the earlier part of the day. But I still make them........

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I do the same thing and the whole time just want to be making actual prints!

@jkjackknowles 2 года назад

I shoot so much that I find it so hard to keep up contact sheet printing. Also, I am still fairly new to printing so the excitement of making a print normal gets me first! Planning to calm down on shooting and make those contact sheets... One day.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Well, hopefully that excitement never goes away! That is the best part 👍

@stevebills2427 2 года назад

I hate making contact prints. A few years ago I could look at negatives and tell what was good and bad (for my style of photography). I always hated wasting paper on them also. My eyes are not as good as they used to be so a couple years back I started making contact prints again...still hate them 🤣

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Agreed... Finding it a necessary evil but hate using the paper for it. Also I do feel a bit more organized and "professional when I have them made for whatever that is worth...

@MichaelLloyd 2 года назад

I don't have a darkroom at the moment but I enjoy videos like this one. While I'm here, I have a Hasselblad back question. The last time I shot my Hassy I found out that I had a light leak in both backs. :/ I ordered the kits to fix that but when I unload a back, I immediately load it with film. So now I have two backs that I need to rewind, carefully so I don't lose the leader, and remove the film from. One has a few images on the film, one hasn't been shot yet so it's on count 1. I don't want to get the back out of synch so for now I'm unable to shoot the Hasselblad. Got any recomendations?

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

That’s tough… I have never tried rewinding partially shot rolls in the Hasselblad before… sorry I can not be of more help. Maybe ask over on phototrio?

@MichaelLloyd 2 года назад

@@DistinctionPhotoLLC Yeah, I've never seen it mentioned. It's hard to find backs now and even if I found another one I'd change the light seals after having this experience. Both of mine had small light leaks. The film wasn't completely ruined (for scanning. I can crop the bad edges out) but I can't shoot with it and ignore the results. I suppose I could cover the lens and shoot in the dark until time to rewind.

@Denik-mf5ej Год назад

Hi 👋 If I use, for example, an iPad Air 10.9-inch (diagonal) 2360 x 1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi), and make a 1:1 (10.9”) contact print, will the pixels be visible?

@DistinctionPhotoLLC Год назад

I have never tried. But one way to find out!

@fishtacoguy 2 года назад

Good video, contact sheets do help with printing decision (and can save some paper). I'm trying to play catch up on contact sheets. I need a better filing system to store the contacts, my notes, actual prints I decide to make, etc. I'm looking to get a larger file cabinet to help with this.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Thank you! I have always been behind on contact sheets... Trying to turn it around but a big task. I also would like a better “system” Just have mad binders full from over the years. This is something I have not seen a lot of good references for.. Or at least not paid as much attention as I should have 🤔

@jesperbent3685 4 месяца назад

At which f stop do you use for proof?

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 4 месяца назад

Usually F-11

@ChristianJohansson-papac 2 года назад

I contact print every film I take. I do just a straight print maybe two sheets if my exposures are a bit wobbly. How do you store them? Together with the negs or sepate? I have mine together for no other reason then that I did so from the beginning. There could be a good reason to have them separet so I could flip trough them easy. Don`t know, my mind was just talking😊

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I put mine in a sleeve directly on top of the negs in a binder. Seems to be the best way for me to stay organized. Still trying to find the best way to find things when I want to go back to them which has been a challenge😜

@ChristianJohansson-papac 2 года назад

That could be a way to go. I just punch them and put them with the negs in a binder but it can be a bit hard to flip both the contact and the negs. Old manners are hard to brake but I may test anothe way:) Thanks

@oudviola 2 года назад

I scan to digital. Just as painful but less muss!

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Now I’ve started to do both… ugh 😑

@oudviola 2 года назад

@@DistinctionPhotoLLC 😢

@igaluitchannel6644 2 месяца назад

No..................! Have done some, but wasn't aware of the maximum black exposure rule.

@BillyHopscotch 2 года назад

I just made my first contact sheets last night, so you could say there's a bit of a backlog 😅

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

Nice 👍

@TrentGamingCo 2 года назад

I find I can just look at my negitives to determine density, contact sheets are still a waste of paper not convinced otherwise

@DistinctionPhotoLLC 2 года назад

I am all for whatever works. If that works best for you then keep doing it 👍

@orion7741 Год назад

its so weird to hear you talk about contact sheets! lol. I dont know any photographer/printer that does not like doing contact sheets. seriously, its usually one of the highlights, like a sneak preview of what you have. you are kind of strange for not liking doing contact sheets. no joke.

@DistinctionPhotoLLC Год назад

I have to really try hard not to just skip it and start printing 🤷🏻‍♂️