diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 6a97507..409d07c 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -438,6 +438,35 @@ can process normally if needed. +## When Should You NOT Use These Techniques? + +With over a year's experience under my belt at this point, and having +tested many film/developer cominations across a variety of subjects, +I've concluded that Semistand/EMA is a superior development +strategy for many things. It yields full box ASA, protects the +highlights from blowing out, and gives you snappy midtone local +constrast. + +However, there are some subjects that don't respond really well to +this. The increased midtone contrast can look gritty and get almost a +cartoon like quality to it. Specifically, when an image has a +textured surface that already has noteworthy local contrast, the image +can become unrealistically harsh. + +This is especially true with very high acutance films like Efke PL100M +or Adox CMS 100 II. When the actuance of the film is combined with the +edge effects of extended development, you can get a kind of comic book +or graphic arts effect. It's subtle but very real, though it might be +useful as an aesthetic tool. + +The worst offender here is EMA. The repeated agitations drives up +edge effects far more so than does the 1 midpoint agitation of +Seminstand. Given a subject with a lot of midtone texture and local +contrast, you might prefer Semistand with a film like Shanghai GP3 or +Tri-X. Of course, conventional development is always a thought if the +dynamic range of the scene can be properly managed. + + ## Updates New findings since the document first went live can be found below.