How to do Split Grade Darkroom Printing

In this video I demonstrate how I make my traditional darkroom prints using the split grade technique. It is a very easy process to use and hopefully I show the advantages and flexibility it affords.

In essence my process boils down to :

1) Make a test strip at Grade 2.5
2) Pick the time that has the best overall balance of highlights and shadows
3) Split that time in half and make one exposure at grade 0 and the other at 5
4) Re-evaluate and adjust the 0 and 5 exposures to get the best looking print
5) Add dodges and burns during either exposure to produce the final print

Hope you find this useful, the print demonstrated can be purchased from my Etsy shop in a fully archival Fibre based form made on Ilford Multigrade Warmtone paper.

Etsy Shop

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[cameronwilson]

There is so many ways of doing split grade printing. I never tire of seeing someone else's technique

[ymeme]

My jaw landed on the floor when I saw final result. My god. I was watching this video whilst excercising on stationary bike, I stoped and typed this comment with one hand because the other is still trying to lift my jaw off the floor. I am so greatfull to you for creating this chanel, I am photography student in Blackpool and a month ago we just been introduced with film and darkroom. I FELL IN LOVE with film, resulting buing Nikon F5, roll of iso 100 film, i use it with my primes. I wish you were coming to Blackpool and take me for a photo walk, please, * city of light * needs to be captured by you ! Respect !

[sharonleibel]

Finally! someone giving a clear and simple explanation about multi-grade paper.

[stephendeakin]

Nice to see a little more of your darkroom printing Steve, thanks.

[Francois_The_Photon_Mechanic]

It's the first time I see a video that properly explains this. Fantastic.

[sandrag.]

Great video. It shows not only the magic of split grade printing, but also the power of dodging and burning! Very well done.

[stemcleeds]

More videos like this please. I wish I knew this 30 years ago!

[tim_butcher]

Brilliant, as ever, Steve. Great point about increasing accuracy of dodging and burning. Thanks

[luismartins]

This video brought back good memories from when I used to do split grade printing, back in the nineties. I did my split grading to get the Michael Orton effect where the dark areas had a bit of a dark glow and the highlights were sharp. I still do this to this day but now in digital form. Unfortunately, both back then and now, I still find that many times I let technique rule over a not so good image, thinking I can make it a quality picture out of a shot I should just discard.

[norbertstepien]

great video Steve. The only comment I would make is that, like you, I use F stop printing and have both the Analyzer and the StopClock controlling my Devere 504, but I think this needs to be explained to the majority of printers who still use traditional seconds when timing exposures.

[kevinthephotographer]

A very clear description leading to a beautiful print. I did my first split-grade print last week and will do some more this weekend.

[paulh]

For maximum productivity what I'd do back in the day was eschew the use of test strips; I learned to read the contrast and density of the negative and make a full straight print at a grad and time/aperture. Then I'd mentally note any adjustments and make the final print: do the primary exposure first at the correct overall contrast, dodging out areas as needed, then changing the contrast to burn in areas at a different contrast if needed. Then I'd take the negative out, stop down the lens all the way, and direct raw light onto certain areas, not enough to fog the paper but to bring out details and visible density in areas which received image light but just not enough to get over the "toe" of the log exposure curve. Then on to the next image. Working for a newspaper, then a commercial photoduplication service, my aim was to sling out as many prints per day as I could.

[duncandip]

Steve, thank you for yet another clear and concise video. I'm sure that many more viewers (other than myself) would be interested in purchasing an f-stop timer. I can't find your promised video on the subject and wondered if it ever materialised, please? Thanks again.

[eddybax]

Would love to see you process a black and white image in the digital darkroom as well!

[GraemeSimpsonPhotography]

I've been trying to get my head around using filters but this explanation has helped see it action. Thank you

[aabdulrahman]

Really clear and succinct explanation, will try this when in next printing, thanks!!

[kenjensen]

Great to see Steve, I am a complete beginner so this all looks frightening to me however it is something that I can aspire to!

[simonbarnes]

Excellent Steve. The final print was fantastic!!

[irishdavey]

Brilliant! I never thought of doing an initial test at grade 2.5!

[jonjanson]

I'm now the proud owner of a Meograde head. It only took five years to find one. Split grading is so much easier.