Flashing is a photographic printing technique used by advanced printers to reduce contrast in an image. It involves giving the photographic paper a brief, uniform exposure to light either before or after the main image exposure, helping to lift shadows and preserve detail in darker areas.
This technique is particularly useful in high-contrast scenes, allowing photographers to achieve a more balanced tonal range in the final print. By carefully controlling the amount and timing of the brief exposure, flashing can enhance subtle details and improve overall print quality, making it a valuable tool in both black-and-white and colour darkroom printing.