Digital BW, The Print

Paul. The Dmax is Dmax.; the maximum density of dark (densest) area.  It
does not matter whether it is a positive or negative, the real material has
an area that is the darkest. Whether it prints as a positive or a negative
is up to the user later.  The scanner doesn't know and the software doesn't
know until you tell it.  But Range is an important aspect. However, with
multiple scanning being possible it does still have relevance.  If your
scanner can't see it, it doesn't exist. = areas with no detail. 
 
Eric Neilsen
Eric Neilsen Photography
4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9
Dallas, TX 75226
 
www.ericneilsenphotography.com
skype me with ejprinter
Let's Talk Photography
 
  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2012 11:01 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] When is DMax not Dmax?
 
  
I know what DMax is on a b/w print, it's where the blacks are at their
darkest. But when I see specs for scanners, I get confused. Scanner specs
include DMax, but is that for scan of a positive print or negative film? If
I want good DMax on my b/w print, isn't that the region of least density
(with some detail as in a shadow) on the negative? But if the scanner DMax
is for a negative, that's going to be the highlights (with some detail so
the highlight is not blown out) on the print, right?

So which do DMax specs on the scanner mean? Nor sure if I'm explaining this
very well, but I hope I'm making some sense!

TIA,

Paul



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