Exposure Strip Testing

Before proceeding to produce a print, an initial test strip is completed which enables one to select the appropriate exposure that will result in an image that has a good range of tone and density.

The exposure test strip is produced using a strip of light sensitive paper that is exposed in sections for varying durations e.g. while covering two thirds of the strip, the paper is exposed to 3 seconds of light. Then while one third is covered the paper is exposed for another 3 seconds and then finally the entire piece of paper is exposed for 3 seconds. The successively exposed strips of the paper when developed will show a range of exposures and therefore give an indication of what duration of exposure is necessary to produce a well balanced print.

If when developed the image appears underexposed for the longest duration on the test strip, then the next step is to complete a test strip at larger time intervals i.e. 5, 10 and 15 seconds. Alternatively, if the image is overexposed at the shortest duration, this is probably a result of the aperture being too wide therefore another test strip should be completed with the aperture reduced by a stop. It is helpful to obtain a test strip with a range from under exposure to over exposure to ascertain the most suitable exposure.

Contact prints

This is a print that has all the negatives from one film together. Contact prints are useful for selecting negatives that can be made into prints of their own. An example of a contact print can be seen in the following selection of prints.