I have been discussing negative controls using nomenclature suited for chemically developed negatives. Each time I interact with digital negatives, altering them to suit a printing medium, it becomes ever more clear that discussing contrast index curves has to be done under different terms. The two posts concerning contrast index curves and density range is an example. The explanation only works in theory; digitally. Altering the contrast index curve proportionally, or favoring middle tones, is accomplished using digital tools, which have no real rules or boundaries, in the traditional sense. Theoretically, one can manipulate the densities in any given tonal range for increased or decreased density, or other digital attributes. There is no command that alters the density range. That also comes from digital manipulation.
I alluded to this issue in the last post, describing the basic approach I take in digitally manipulating a negative before printing. In short, an in intuitive manipulation done by visual inspection. Knowing how the densities chosen relate to other densities that will all be affected by a constant light source. Meaning, the density range will ideally print down such that when texture shows in zone 7 the print is done and all the tonal ranges below zone 7 are reciprocally in their respective range as well. That can be accomplished in more than one way. The first way was my stripping out a good portion of the middle tones to realize more tonal separation. It worked too well and the effect was akin to a lithograph. All the creamy middle tones add much to a print. Lesson learned. These upcoming negatives have been manipulated to increase all the tonal values, however, not necessarily proportional or equal. The manipulation was done to favor certain tonal zones, for emphasis.
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