Anybody have a good method for marking up contact sheets? Since so much of the sheet is black, most any marking I make with a pen doesn't show up (I'm talking more about selecting full-frames, not cropping). Is there something made for this?

thanks,

ben

-- Ben (grosser@uiuc.edu), May 22, 2000

Answers

A good white china marker (kind of like a crayon) does a good job. Cheers, Scott

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), May 22, 2000.

A green spirit-based permanent marker pen works for me. It shows up agaist black, even under a red safelight.

-- Alan Gibson (alan@snibgo.com), May 22, 2000.

Just stick on a small label.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), May 23, 2000.

China markers, aka grease pencils used to be "industry standard" for this. They come in a myriad of colors. Regards, ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), May 23, 2000.

I use a PILOT Super Color Permanent Type Ink marker, in gold. I think it's lacquer paint by the smell of it (?). It does a great job, but takes a while to dry.

...Good thing is, it "contains no xylene"...well that's what it says, honestly...and I suppose that matters to someone :-)

-- shawn (shawngibson_prophoto@yahoo.com), May 24, 2000.

I use black, red and white "china markers" as apprpriate.They are inexpensive and the marks made are easily wiped off RC paper.

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), May 24, 2000.

Ben, As most people suggest, grease pencils or china markers are the best for marking contacts because you can change your mind later and rub the marks off. Stay away from red, white or black as they can't be seen clearly in the darkroom. I like green as a good stand-out color.

Also, to go a little off subject, it is better to err on the dark side when making contact sheets. You can always see shadow details by using a light table or holding the sheet up to the light. If the sheets are made too light, there is no way you can read highlights that are too white.

Frank

http://www.culturalvisions.com/

-- Frank Ward (frank@culturalvisions.com), May 29, 2000.

A strip of masking tape along the bottom of the sheet and a black felt tip marker to write on it work for me....

Garry Segal

-- Garry Segal (bluesngr@ix.netcom.com), June 01, 2000.