Split-grade test sheet — saves paper you say?
Traditionally we use a test strip in the darkroom to work out exposures for the print. A small strip of photo paper placed strategically across the projected image and exposed to increments of light.
Often just an inch or two wide we might need to make many test strips before settling on the desired time and filter grade.
I work out my exposures for each grade on a separate piece of paper then a final combined test strip to see how the grades work together before making the final print. This technique is accurate but as I’m using a split grade exposure I’ll use up twice the paper used for a single filter print.
But what if we use a larger piece of paper? The whole image projected onto a sheet? Then expose our timed increments using both filter grades. Wouldn’t this save paper?
Maybe, maybe not. But it does give a range of exposure times with various filter grades across the whole image. Killing two birds with one stone.
Working horizontally with a low grade and vertically with a high grade to create a full range of split-grade combinations to choose from.
In the above image I have used 2 second exposures @ f11 with grade #00 left to right and 2 second exposures @ grade #5 bottom to top.
In the above image I have again used 2 second exposures but this time @ grade #0 left to right and 2 second exposures @ grade #5 bottom to top.
This split grade method produces fast accurate results and still leaves plenty of room for fine adjustments before making the final print. But the whole purpose is to save paper, which it does.