Gene Nocon explains B/W ƒ/stop Printing

Gene Nocon explains B/W ƒ/stop printing in this 30 minute movie. Knowing there had to be a better way to get a better print, Gene thought about the hit and miss method we all have used to work our way to the optimum exposure. One night the light went on and he began development of the ƒ/stop method of black and white printing. Based on time, but recognizing that ƒ/stops represent an exponential progression, Gene worked out the ƒ/stop table and also developed the Nocon ƒ/stop timer. This movie explains it well
Black and White printer: Gene Nocon
Videographer: Anthony Mournian

[@Thefreedomcycle]

I am personally eternally grateful having known Gene for nearly 40 years and him being my printer for all that time. God speed you wonderful soul. We still communicate!

[@christopherencarnacion6764]

Do you know anyone in New York who has studied under him?

[@carrot63]

Really saddened to hear of Gene's death. When I started in photography I took the darkroom philosophy and techniques of Gene Nocon, Larry Bartlett and Bill Rawlinson to heart as much as the work of the great photographers. I think the lessons learned then are as essential now as they ever were in the days of the wet darkroom, its merely that the tools used have changed.
RIP and thank you.

[@1PhotoGeek]

Rest in peace Gene, you will be greatly missed.

[@MrJfree100]

Hi Gene......havn't seen you in 30 years or more !! but still remember some of your pictures......one in particular......the pic of the cemetary in northern France.

[@Dandratoo]

I miss Gene!

[@randallstewart175]

To fail to study history dooms you to repeat it. Flashing was a standard technique, taught in every book on photo processing from the 1930-1960s, because it is a standard practice to create prints on graded papers using "between grades". It also can bring up shadow details. Flashing can be used on VC paper, but the continuous contrast adjustment of VC paper and split grade printing techniques largely avoid the need.

[@jisaper]

Great person and a great educator. Thanks Anthony for share.

[@followthe-Light]

Thanks for sharing this, sure wish I was around when he was, I still have a lot to learn regarding printing images.

[@randallstewart175]

f-stop printing has been around for years. RH Design in England has made fairly expensive f-stop printing timers for years, and still do. I've had an f-stop timer for about 20 years, but I've never really used it, as changing to it requires a mental adjustment I cannot seem to prioritize.

[@kevangogh]

I have an RH Design f-stop timer, absolutely love it and can't imagine not using it anymore.

[@minisla]

Interesting. Be a very sad day if the process is lost

[@jumbosilverette]

very cool, especially the beaton stuff

[@igaluitchannel6644]

I'll still take silver gelatin over the best inkjet print.

[@davidkachel]

I flashed multigrade papers for years. "Can't flash multigrade papers"?? Nonsense.

[@ronpowers745]

Sad to hear of his demise, but in truth his F-Stop technique is nothing new, he just changed the terms a bit. In the old days, proper print exposure, depth of focus, paper grades, split-toning, dodging and burning were all taught under the general heading of "making a proper print." This included being facile in both adjusting F-stops and determining proper times, as well as all the other darkroom techniques to make a good print. All old ground disclosed long ago by Fred Archer, Ansel Adams and Minor Young. One thing you have to be aware of, is there is a limit to timed exposures as you run into reciprocity failure, which can be accounted for, but far less precisely, and variable to grade and paper manufacturer.

[@igaluitchannel6644]

You can still flash multigrade.