Colour Contrast

Film contrast is a characteristic that is inherent to the type of film or paper and refers to the range of tonal values that the film or paper is sensitive to and therefore records during exposure. A low contrast film can record a greater range of values than a higher contrast film. The tonal value range can also be known as the brightness range and for normal contrast brightness would range over 5 stops.

After printing and developing, image contrast is relevant to the range of tonal values of the final image.

Higher contrast can be achieved with:
·    normal speed film
·    low subject brightness range
·    underdevelopment of film
·    slow developer
·    low developing temperature
·    too much agitation

Lower contrast occurs with:
·    high speed film
·    high subject brightness range
·    overdevelopment of film
·    fast-acting developer
·    high developing temperature
·    too little agitation