It seems odd to me to make a portrait with an 8x10 neg, and then diffuse the image.(posted 8638 days ago)Your concerns about tonal range and contrast are what inspired me to recommend platinum printing. You don't seem to be afraid of technical issues and you'd probably really love the look of platinum. Paper choices can lend a soft look (watercolor papers are widely used) wihout sacrificing the wonderful detail of the big contact print. Reproductions of these prints in offset don't tell the whole story, try to see some in person and you'll see what I mean... t