Selective Masking

[PhotoBob]

I read an ol' article on masking, but I'm still not too sure about the process or how it works.
Can anyone recommend good detailed literature or step-by-step CD/video on the process?

[Newt_on_Swings]

Lootens 8th Ed. that I have provides a chapter with details and pictures of the process. Chapter 12 on combination printing.

It details a the process of selecting negatives, making the masks, and determining exposure times.

You can find it at your library, or a dollar or two online as a used book. Not sure if there is an electronic copy available. Try google too.

Also, though I haven't gotten to that section yet, in Way beyond Monochrome, Cedar Falls section details masking for selective burning in.

[DarkMagic]

Bruce Barnbaums book is great. Order it on his website. This is a small PDF with an introduction i have made:http://www.tmax100.com/photo/pdf/mak...largeprint.pdf

[Tim Boehm]

Lynn Radeyka has a kit/book and gives masking classes. I have the kit and went to a class; it was very informative.
http://www.radekaphotography.com/
then click the "Masking Kits" button on the left

[Michael R 1974]

My opinion, don't waste your time with Barnbaum's book (on any topic actually). It gives no detail or methodology on masking. If you want to learn about masking without necessarily taking a workshop, Lynn Radeka's kits (which also include information compiled from others such as Mark Jilg and Dennis McNutt) have good explanations and step by step techniques. Howard Bond's articles are also a good source. For selective masking (pencil shading etc) Alan Ross is a great source. There are of course master printers such as John Sexton who teach masking but it's part of their workshops.

[Greg Davis]

My opinion, don't waste your time with Barnbaum's book (on any topic actually). It gives no detail or methodology on masking.

I appreciate the heads-up on this. I was looking at his book on amazon last night after reading this thread and saw that his section on masking was a listed as a single page in the table of contents. It can't be very informative if he only devotes one page to cover the topic while other people use entire chapters and even volumes to cover simpler techniques than masking.

[Neal]

Dear PhotoBob,

Post Exposure has a detailed description of contrast masking (unsharp mask).

Neal Wydra

[Michael R 1974]

I appreciate the heads-up on this. I was looking at his book on amazon last night after reading this thread and saw that his section on masking was a listed as a single page in the table of contents. It can't be very informative if he only devotes one page to cover the topic while other people use entire chapters and even volumes to cover simpler techniques than masking.

It has a few paragraphs and a diagram, which gives the reader a bit of an overview on what masks are and what they might be used for. But if someone wants to get a real understanding of how masks work, the various applications, different types of masks and how to actually make them (materials, procedures etc), Barnbaum's book doesn't have any of that. Radeka's masking kit is excellent for this. And for selective masking, pencil shading etc, Alan Ross's selective masking kit tells you all about how to do that. And I might add when I had additional questions or thoughts on things to try, both Lynn Radeka and Alan Ross were very helpful and responsive by email. This is definitely a plus.

[Greg Davis]

Does anybody know if Radeka sells or distributes the articles without having to purchase the kit? I have the equipment, but I am interested in the information.

[Michael R 1974]

The "kit" is actually just the printed material. It doesn't include equipment/hardware unless you add that stuff to your order. I bought just the kit. It's all available on Lynn's website: maskingkits.com. After I bought the literature I decided I wanted to buy a few hardware odds and ends (registration pins), but not a full registration carrier kit. I contacted him and he sold me the pieces I needed. He's very helpful and graciously answered my follow-up questions too.