Curve shape control in a photographic imbibition dye transfer process

Abstract

A process for exposing dye imbibition printing matrix films is disclosed comprising imagewise exposing a matrix film comprising a visible light sensitive silver halide emulsion containing colloid layer on a support to blue, green or red light, wherein the visible light sensitive emulsion is also sensitive to UV light and the toe contrast of the imaged matrix film is controlled by (i) incorporating a UV absorber in the colloid layer of the matrix film, and (ii) flash exposing the matrix film with UV light in the substantial absence of light having a wavelength above 410 nm, wherein the UV absorber provides sufficiently low absorption above 410 nm such that it does not substantially alter the effective photographic speed of the matrix film during the imagewise exposure or the mid scale contrast of the imaged matrix film, and sufficiently high absorption to the UV light to decrease the resulting toe contrast of the imaged matrix film. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the above contrast control process is performed for each of the blue, green and red matrix films to be used in an imbibition printing process. The invention achieves desired toe contrast control of all three matrix films in the same manner. No longer does the blue matrix film require to be treated differently. This allows use of identical matrix films having blue, green and red sensitivity (e.g., a panchromatic sensitive film) in forming the separate blue, green and red exposed relief images if desired.