Contrast Filters

When we take photographs we are often at the mercy of the available lighting conditions. This can result in a negative which shows either a great deal of contrast or very little contrast. Bright sunlight usually provides high contrast, with a wide range between the darkest blacks and the whitest whites, and not usually much grey in between. Indoors, a portrait shot next to a strong light can also provide a very "contrasty" negative.

If our contact sheet shows us a great picture which seems to have too much contrast, we can adjust the contrast, to some extent, in the darkroom on the enlarger. We have contrast filters which, when placed on the enlarger between the negative and paper, can reduce (or increase) the contrast inherent in the negative. The filters with numbers from 0 to 2 lower contrast, while those from 3 to 5 increase contrast. Reducing contrast means toning down the blackest blacks and whitest whites while allowing for more shades of grey. Increasing contrast means stripping out shades of grey and forcing the darks tones to be darker and the light tones to be whiter.

When you make a print which looks like it has too much or too little contrast, you should re-make the print using a contrast filter to adjust in the direction you wish.

The examples in this post show what happens with the contrast filter. The beach scene was taken on an overcast day, subduing the tones. By using a #3 filter I was able to boost the contrast to give the picture a bit more "pop." With the waterfall, there is a great deal of contrast between the whites and blacks, so I reduced the contrast with a #1 filter to bring out more of the various shades of grey.

Many of your photographs can be improved by using contrast filters to deal with the lighting conditions you find. Remember though, that contrast filters can't put information in the paper that isn't on the original negative.