A C-print, often misspelled or referred to as "AC print," is a fundamental type of photographic print. According to sources like Twitter and Facebook, a C-print, also known as a C-type print or Chromogenic print, is a photographic print made from a colour negative or slide. It is the most common method for creating colour photographic prints from film negatives or transparencies.
Understanding C-Prints
The term "C-print" is derived from the chemical process used to create the print. Chromogenic prints involve dyes formed during the development process. When light is exposed through a colour negative or slide onto light-sensitive paper, the paper undergoes chemical reactions that form cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes, which together create the full-colour image.
Key Characteristics
- Origin: Made from colour negatives or slides.
- Process: Utilizes a chromogenic chemical process involving dye couplers.
- Alternatives: Also known as C-type prints or Chromogenic prints.
- Usage: The standard print type for colour photography for decades.
The Process in Simple Terms
Think of it like this:
- You take a picture with colour film, resulting in a colour negative (or slide/transparency).
- You shine light through this negative (which has inverted colours and tones) onto special light-sensitive paper.
- The paper is then processed through a series of chemicals.
- During development, dyes are formed within the paper layers based on the light exposure, creating a positive, full-colour image – the C-print.
This process allows for faithful reproduction of the colours captured on the original negative or slide.
Significance in Photography
C-prints have been the cornerstone of colour printing in photography labs, studios, and for amateur photographers since the mid-20th century. They are widely used for everything from snapshot prints to fine art photography. Their prevalence made them the standard against which other colour printing methods were often compared.
Even with the rise of digital photography and inkjet printing, traditional C-prints made from film or even digitally output negatives (known as digital C-prints or LightJet prints) remain valued for their specific colour rendition and tonal qualities.
In summary, an "AC print" is most likely a reference to a C-print, the standard chromogenic photographic print made from a colour negative or slide.
