>>> If identical shape of the exposure-density curve can be obtained from two film-developer combinations, do you think the tonality will be identical?(posted 8137 days ago)I'll hedge (and if pressed, say no)....see below.
Let me clarify. I completely agree with you that a characteristic curve does not capture all that there is with regards to film- developer interactions and responses (e.g., edge effects etc). One of the most exasperating things is that there is nothing in our vocabulary to help us discuss how micro-contrast and macro-contrast interact. And for good reason. As Conrad points out, these things are hugely reliant on individual scenes and subjects to begin with. But one of the other problems is that we use terms rather loosely without specifying what we mean by them. For example, what you seem to be referring to when talking about tonality, I've heard other people use the term gradation for. I was merely pointing out that tonality is used in different ways. As long as one is aware that there are issues of macro contrast (which I think is captured by the characteristic curve) and micro contrast (contrast in small areas, which could presumably be captured by microdensitometer traces but is hugely reliant on inherent subject contrast to begin with) and these interact to produce the 'look' of a film-developer combination, one has a subjective understanding of tonality/gradation/whatever one wants to call it. Cheers, DJ.