How to increase contrast with black and white development film?

Question: How to increase contrast with black and white development film!?

How can I increase a contrast during developing of the black and white film!? I've heard that doing more aggitation can give a different effect, can someone explain a bit more about it!? Thank you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Your best bet for a high contrast negative starts in camera by "pushing" the roll of film!. This is done by shooting @ a higher Exposure Index ( set ISO higher ) which will technically under expose the entire roll!. You then add additional development time in the developer to compensate!. This will result in higher contrast, and grain in the negative!. Play around with different film emulsions (T-max, Agfa ect!. ) to see which responds best to your liking!.

As the previous answerer mentioned, you may simply make your prints on a different grade of B+W enlargement paper for a similar result!. This may indeed be the best advice, as it is generally better to have a properly exposed/developed negative to begin with, from which many different variety's of prints can be made!.

Great Question, G'luck, and Keep Shooting !!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Normally this is done by having a weaker developer, but increasing the development time!. There are also B&W developers that enhance contrast!. The problem is determining how much!.

A safer option is to develop the negatives normally, but print onto high contrast paper and using the same trick on that!.

A technique for extreme contrast is to make a contact print on to Lithe Film and develop that, then contact print again with the Lithe Film positive!. Using this second negative will give a high contrast bordering on 'Posterising'!.

ChrisWww@QuestionHome@Com