showing the effect of ‘blown highlights’ exposure? processing? fading?
Toronto. In the days of film and plates, especially those of ultra slow media, photographers struggled to get correctly exposed and developed negatives and prints. Judicious use of lighting helped with the slow and contrasty media.
Both highlights and shadows in the print had to show some detail to be deemed properly exposed and developed. Sadly there were many cases with blown highlights or inky black shadows.
The studio cabinet card here shows the effect of blown highlights – no detail what-so-ever in the ‘whitest’ areas of the print. Under-exposed or under-developed negatives or prints led to this situation as did fading over time.
Collectors today strive to get crisp, well exposed, well developed prints for their collection. Sometimes a less technically perfect print is accepted, especially if the content is unique: outdoors, a work scene, attractive subjects, or a famous person.
Be sure to visit our events for collectible photos, cameras, etc. Check the right side of this web site for our 2025 events as they are confirmed. A post will be pinned to page one a few weeks before the event.
The post title is a riff on Procol Harum’s monumental song, “A Whiter Shade of Pale“.
