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Contrast Masking Kits Carrier info Masking Kits info

Now Includes Inkjet Dodge Masking!

Comments from buyers of the Kit:

"Lynn's approach to masking is pragmatic, unique and economical. Using materials that are inexpensive and readily available he goes far beyond what you would learn at masking workshops. I highly endorse his Masking Kit." Stephen Francis - Photographer, Anaheim, CA

"I want to compliment you on the quality, clarity and completeness of your photo masking kit. I bought one a few months ago and it's helped me get over my considerable resistance to all the fuss and bother of masking. I'm a convert. With masking, it really is possible to get from "interesting, but not quite" to "right on!" Chris Miller - Photographer, Thornton, PA

"It is a great resource and the best I have seen due to its completeness. Not only do you provide the text description of various masks and their application but you also provide the registration pins and material to actually construct the registration contact printer/negative carrier that is required. I found the ink jet pictures to be outstanding examples of what to expect in terms of the progression of improvement with the application of the various masks. ....building upon the principles of the Zone System, your masking methods go way beyond the Zone System, unsharp masking or the application of bleach to selectively lighten highlights." Warren T. Dewhurst - Photographer, Germantown, MD

"Lynn Radeka's masking kit is sophistication through simplicity. Just by looking at his sample images, one must agree that nobody can argue with success. The handbook and the technical articles alone make this kit a real value for the money." Ralph W. Lambrecht - Photographer/author, Camera and Darkroom Magazine, UK.

"As a long time teacher, I deem Lynn's contrast masking manual a master-work of clarity and completeness. Masking can appear as daunting as it is promising to the newcomer but Lynn has obviously worked very hard to make his kit the asset and ally of every student. Adding the fact that he promptly responds to all emails with enthusiasm, patience and detailed answers, I think it safe to conclude that Lynn is a master teacher as well as a master photographer. That conclusion has led me to sign up for his masking workshop which I greatly look forward to!" Robert B. Taylor - Photographer, Ukiah, CA

"Your Contrast Masking Kit is certainly a distillation of much hard work - and well worth its price. I intend to use these techniques for contact printing.... Thanks again for a very readable manual." Richard Groomer - Photographer, Renton, WA

"I have found Fog Masks to work brilliantly in reducing the density of bright sky areas in prints of forested scenes, without changing the tones of the branches themselves, and with little edge effect. Sweet." Bruce Pottorff - Photographer, Ontario, CA

"Before putting your masking system into practice I perceived it as a rigid system in which there was little room for creativity within the techniques themselves because it was a rigid system that utilized a precise set of steps. However, once I had experience with the basic steps, that are very well laid out in your manual, I realized that these steps are just the foundation. The artistic element comes in when each individual printer modifies and combines the various techniques to suit their own vision." Terrance Hounsell - Photographer, Newfoundland

More testimonials at www.RadekaPhotography.com

 

Contrast Masking Kit includes:

  • Two Registration pins (1/4" round to fit standard paper hole punches).* Please note that the original negative is NEVER punched or marred in any way when using this system.
  • One sheet of 8.5" x 11" Kodak Duratrans (or similar) diffusion material - the ideal textureless diffusion material for use in making masks, printing, and "on the scene" pre-exposure in the camera. This material is not easily available in small quantities elsewhere.
  • A manual including complete instructions on various techniques, including mask making and use, including the original articles on SCIM (shadow contrast increase mask), CRM (contrast reduction mask), and HLM (highlight mask) by Dennis McNutt and Mark Jilg, with complete instructions on making a pin-registration negative carrier for your enlarger. Also, detailed information on the Fog Mask, Unsharp Masking, Dodge Masks and Special Contrast Increase Masks by Lynn Radeka.
  • New chapters covering Inkjet Dodge Masking, Large and Small Format Masking Considerations, Combination Toning and Paper Plane Masking (ideal for small format as well as large format masking) as well as additional charts and diagrams.
  • Complete examples and step by step procedures including diagrams, curves and reproductions of various masks and effects.
  • Inkjet reproductions of photographs on a separate "insert" page showing the various stages of manipulations.
  • Instructions and formulas on procedures that Lynn Radeka employs the most, including his highlight "brightener" bleach formula, Ansco 120 print developer, and SLIMT contraction development of the negative for high quality results.
  • Darkroom printing records for documenting printing manipulations, including dodging and burning with masks, etc. These record sheets may be Xeroxed or copied by the user.
  • Discount voucher worth $50 off the purchase price of any original print by Lynn Radeka from the website RadekaPhotography.com .
  • A CD with a powerpoint slideshow of over 200 black & white images, screensavers, and desktop images in color and black & white. Several exciting pages of informative interactive masking examples, and trial versions of the CompuPic Image Browser for PC and Mac and ACDSee. A new Inkjet Dodge Mask folder on the CD includes Photoshop actions to automatically generate an inkjet dodge mask for applying to shadow areas or highlight areas and a color file to make your own inkjet dodge mask for local contrast control when using variable contrast printing papers.

All masks detailed in this kit can be made using standard litho films and camera films, both of which are inexpensive and easy to obtain. The kit includes sources for obtaining the suggested films. All of the masks are easy to make and do not require a densitometer. These procedures can open an exciting new world of value and contrast control possibilities for the fine-art printer.

The new addition to this kit includes a long-awaited chapter on Inkjet Dodge Masking. Digital meets traditional! Use your computer to produce highly detailed and accurate masks on your inkjet printer. Achieve various local contrast control effects using different ink colors on your mask, or use this mask to simulate a Highlight Mask or Contrast Reduction Mask in specific, localized areas of the image or overall. When following the detailed procedures in the kit, the effect is seamless. Instructions for pin-registering these masks are included as well. The use of this mask can be coupled with any of the other masks described in the kit for a remarkable degree of contrast and value control.

In addition to some popular standard masking procedures such as "Unsharp Masking", this kit also contains detailed descriptions and procedures for creating and using other extremely useful and effective masks, some of which are unique to this publication. Included are articles on SCIM (Shadow Contrast Increase Masks), HLM (Highlight Masks) and CRM (Contrast Reduction Masks) by Photographers Dennis McNutt and Mark Jilg. Photographer Lynn Radeka has added detailed descriptions of Unsharp Masking as well as several unique procedures including the Fog Mask, Dodge Mask (now including the Inkjet Dodge Mask) and other special masks and variations.

Also explained in detail are Lynn Radeka's "Highlight Brightener" bleach formula and David Kachel's SLIMT negative development (for high quality contraction development of the original negative). A formula page contains several useful formulas. The newly expanded kit includes new chapters on Inkjet Dodge Masks, Paper Plane Masking, Small and Large Format Considerations, Combination Toning and more charts and diagrams.

Some of the more powerful masks explained in the kit require the use of a pin-registered negative carrier. The kit includes detailed instructions by Dennis McNutt and Mark Jilg (along with diagrams) for making a simple registration carrier quickly and inexpensively, or you may want to consider the Precision Pin-Registration Carrier System for the highest possible accuracy and efficiency in mask-making and printing. Also included is a pair of metal registration pins* that can be used to construct your own pin-registration carrier, a CD (PC and Mac format) with Lynn Radeka's black & white and color images for use as screensavers or desktops, and a new section of interactive and highly informative masking examples. The CD now also contains Photoshop actions for automatically generating Inkjet Dodge Masks of various colors (to affect contrast changes when using variable contrast papers).

In addition to the above, the Kit includes one sheet of 8.5"x11" Kodak Duratrans textureless diffusion material (the ideal substance for preparing and printing with some of the masks - white plexiglass cannot be used because of certain pin-registration requirements of some special masks), a darkroom printing logsheet (which may be copied for use) and an inkjet page showing sample images and comparisons of some procedures.

* Note: These pins are not included if the Contrast Masking Kit is purchased as part of the "Complete" Precision pin-registration carrier system. The carrier system already includes pins attached to the glass carrier.


The Contrast Masking Kit is available for $84.95 plus shipping and can be shipped almost anywhere in the world. Payment can be made by check, money order, wire transfer or credit card. Please allow from two to three weeks for delivery.

The Precision Pin-Registration Carrier Systems are now available for the ultimate in accuracy and efficiency for making and using all of the masks detailed in the Contrast Masking Kit. No need to make your own registration carrier!

To facilitate ordering the Contrast Masking Kit or the Precision Pin-Registration Carrier System by check or money order, you may print out and fill in our order form. Please make all checks payable to Lynn Radeka. If paying by check or money order, please inquire first by using the e-mail links on this site.

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!

Contrast Masking Kit - Express checkout

Contrast Masking Kit Credit Card Orders
Shipping To: Within USA Outside USA

Precision Pin-Registration Carrier Systems - Express Checkout
Note:
If you prefer clear glass for the bottom glass and Anti-Newton glass for the top glass, simply order the Anti-Newton version and
add a comment to request clear bottom glass during the ordering process.
Also see Special Edition Print Offer

Precision Pin-Registration Carrier Systems Credit Card Orders
Select product:
Glass carrier type: Clear Glass Version Anti-Newton Ring Glass Version
Shipping To: Within USA Outside USA

 

- Contrast Masking Kit Price List -
Contrast Masking Kit
$84.95
Shipping *
$7.00
Total
$91.95
* Shipping cost $7 within USA, $15 outside USA. All payments must be made in US funds

- Carrier System Price List -
clear glass version
ANR glass version
Complete Carrier System - Includes Precision pin-registration carrier, holder/frame, two-hole punch, solid foam base and Contrast Masking Kit*
$409
$469
Standard Carrier System - Includes Precision pin-registration carrier, holder/frame, two-hole punch and solid foam base
$359
$419
Precision Pin-registration glass carrier only **
$209
$269
Precision Holder/Frame only **
$209
 

Please add appropriate shipping cost: Carrier systems - $10 within USA, $40 outside USA.

NEW! For a limited time only, SPECIAL EDITION MASKED PRINT !

All photographs on this site are copyright © Lynn Radeka. All rights reserved.
Precision Pin-Registration Carrier System copyright © 2002 Lynn Radeka. Patent pending.
Contrast Masking Kit copyright © 2000 Lynn Radeka.