STAGE 1 vs. STAGE 2

These are handmade prints, made one at a time with chemistry and light sensitive paper. Our Print Technicians will work to get your printed image delivered just as you expect. So, we offer two stages of adjusting/editing. Here, our printers will work to dodge/burn/split grade/pre-flash/etc to deliver a finalized print.

STAGE 1:

Will include some dodging/burning work to brighten/darken specific parts of the print as desired. Does your image have a subject’s face that you want a bit brighter than the rest of the image? Does it have a bright sky that you want toned down a bit to bring some more contrast in? These sort of adjustments will be made with a Stage 1 print.

STAGE 2:

Here, we will spend more time dialing in your final print. If black-and-white, this may include split-grade printing to perfect highlight/shadow detail. And/or adjust to specific contrast levels. For color RA-4 prints, this could include pre-flashing, or matching very specific color looks to return a print that exceeds expectations. This is the option those looking for gallery-ready, perfected prints.

Are you interesting in sitting down and scheduling a consultation time to speak one-on-one with the Print Technician who will be hand printing your darkroom print? Send us an email at hello@lafilmlab.com.