I'm just starting to play with Gum Bichromate. Thanks for this video. I'm thinking of using a curve I downloaded. So,you apply your tweaks to each individual channel. Is that the same for a curve, or apply the curve before doing the separation of channels?
Hi Thomas. Sorry for the late reply. I actually don't use curves at all. I think they kind of fool you into thinking that just applying the curve is going to make the negative have the correct contrast and tonal range. I just use the levels or curves adjustment to make my negatives slightly more dense than "normal", and carefully watch that the highlights and shadows don't lose detail. I do that with each individual channel. Then I make the print and adjust the negatives again if needed. I think with experience you can get better and better at nailing the levels/curves adjustment the first time. But some images are trickier than others. Those applied pre-built curves just seemed to waste my time.
Probably one of the best explanations of how to create digital negs for Gum printing!👍
Hi Paul! Thanks so much for the compliment! I appreciate it. I hope you've had some success with your digital negs. Happy printing!
I'm just starting to play with Gum Bichromate. Thanks for this video. I'm thinking of using a curve I downloaded. So,you apply your tweaks to each individual channel. Is that the same for a curve, or apply the curve before doing the separation of channels?
Hi Thomas. Sorry for the late reply. I actually don't use curves at all. I think they kind of fool you into thinking that just applying the curve is going to make the negative have the correct contrast and tonal range. I just use the levels or curves adjustment to make my negatives slightly more dense than "normal", and carefully watch that the highlights and shadows don't lose detail. I do that with each individual channel. Then I make the print and adjust the negatives again if needed. I think with experience you can get better and better at nailing the levels/curves adjustment the first time. But some images are trickier than others. Those applied pre-built curves just seemed to waste my time.