Proofing for Maximum Black

The camera never lies, but it is possible to be selective amongst the many statements it makes. 

One of the most important habits to develop in the darkroom is consistency. Having achieved satisfactory results you should be able to repeat them, alter them, and then return to the first result should it become necessary In addition to being consistent in your work habits it is important to set and practice standard procedures whenever possible. This will further facilitate the ultimate goal to produce a perfect print. 

One area of darkroom procedure that is conducive to standardization is making proof sheets. While it is not necessary to standardize on making a proof sheet doing so will streamline your workflow, help determine if your system is working properly, camera, meter, film and developer, and enable you to accurately read step wedges when making interpositives. The method is known as proofing for maximum black. 

Proofing for maximum black takes into consideration the base + fog density of the film and the maximum black that a given paper is capable of reaching. The base + fog density is affected by the combination of film and developer. In theory this means that a test needs to be made for every film/developer combination you use. In practice you really only need to test one combination of film and developer for any given film as long as the paper remains the same. You will find that most film/developer combinations will proof for maximum black within a second of each other and as the sole purpose is to achieve consistent results that can be compared this is acceptable. 

Before you can run your test you need a strip of unexposed but developed and fixed film. Four blank frames of 6 X 6, or 3 blank frames of 6 X 7, or 5 to 6 blank frames of 35 mm, etc. So that you don t forget do it at the beginning of the roll. Hold the lens against your chest, set the f/stop to 16 and the shutter speed at its fastest setting, and release and cock the shutter the appropriate number of times. The remaining film is yours to do as you like. 

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Make a proof for maximum black using the blank strip and a piece of photographic enlarging paper (Appendix 4, Proofing for Maximum Black). 

Make a proof for maximum black using a piece of paper coated for the alternative process you intend to use (e.g., salted paper, plt/pld, etc.), and the appropriate light source (e.g., sun, UV printer, etc.). 

After developing the test roll proof it for maximum black and determine which way to go for a basic developing time (Appendix 4 Proofing for Maximum Black). Remember exposure is for the shadows development is for the highlights. 

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