By using various kinds of contrast masks, the traditional photographer can have far greater contrast control, from subtle to extreme, on his prints than merely using standard methods such as paper grade or developer changes. Contrast masking can also be used to affect contrast or brightness in localized areas of the image. Another great benefit of contrast masking is that the original negative is never subjected to any potentially damaging or risky chemical processes. In most cases the results of effective masking cannot be duplicated or even approached by standard printing techniques. Contrast masking can be used in conjunction with variable contrast papers or different developers to give the photographer practically limitless tools for easily achieving stunning print quality!

Among many professional photographers contrast masking has become the "buzz" word in recent years. This brief discussion is focused on the use of photographic contrast masking in traditional black and white photography (not digital). Many of these specialized photographic techniques can also be used for color printing to achieve amazing print quality results. It is important to note that contrast masking is FAR MORE than just the Unsharp Mask!

Clouds, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, New Mexico. 1997




Clouds, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, New Mexico. 1997 (Final Print with masking)

Although I shot this 4x5 negative using an orange filter in hopes of increasing the separation between the radiant clouds and sky, the values were still too close when printing with standard paper grades. I tried harder paper grades only to find that the delicate clouds took on a harsh and grainy appearance and it was far more difficult to achieve gentle and subtle values in the print overall. I made a type 2 Fog Mask which worked beautifully in darkening the sky values without affecting the bright clouds at all. I also did some burning and dodging with this mask exposure to help emphasize the repeating cloud patterns and maintain a clean and balanced print. A nice benefit from using this mask is that I could use a softer grade of paper to prevent the overall values from being too harsh and minimize the appearance of grain in the sky. A type 1 Fog Mask (actually a by-product of making the type 2 Fog Mask) was used to darken and even-out the values towards the bottom of the print.

What is a contrast mask?

A photographic contrast mask is typically a sheet of film (usually made by contacting the original negative on it in various ways) placed against the original negative when printing, or printed separately after the original negative is printed.

There are three basic types of contrast masks:

1. Sandwich type
2. Separate exposure type
3. Paper-plane

Sandwich type masks - These are designed to be placed against the original negative (usually on top of the original negative) so that the images of both original negative and contrast mask are "aligned" or registered. The print is then exposed using this negative/mask sandwich. Since this is a negative-plane mask, you can make any size print at any time without having to remake the contrast mask. Examples of these are Unsharp Masks, Contrast Reduction Masks, Highlight Masks, Dodge Masks and other special masks for increasing contrast. Except for the Highlight Mask, these can be registered by eye, but a pin-registration system is very helpful to insure accuracy and speed, and is usually required for Highlight Masks.