First Compaction ~ Southwestern Light

One of the controls for black and white development I used a lot is compaction, especially shooting in the southwest. It's obviously the opposite of an expansion. Those terms describing what the development treatment does to the length of the contrast index curve, and density range. Development controls the high end of the densities, Zones 6, 7, 8, with each higher zone affected by further development, exponentially more than the zone before it. Zone 8 is more affected, in increased density, far more than Zone 6 for the same 1 minute increase in development time. For this reason I recommend using a semi-compensating developer.

I was visiting relatives in southern Arizona, photographing while visiting of course, noticing the seemingly contrasty looking landscape. What I was seeing was light intensity, not contrast. The spectral light value of the southwest is shifted towards the red end of the light spectrum, and panchromatic film is extra sensitive to the red spectrum range, thereby recording as 'more contrasty', it is not. There is the usual five stop range when metering a scene. There is just less shadow detail, an outcome of the high intensity of the ambient light, which in the desert seems extremely bright.

This shot was close in to some local critters habitat, showing off some deep blacks as well as bright whites in the offing. After printing it and selling it, I never felt it worthy of printing again.

Silver Gelatin Print ~ "Habitat #2"
1985 ~ 8"x10" ~ Private collection
Southern Arizona Desert