Low contrast film + developer combination

[totò618]

The photographers that I've known in my life that made images the way you seem to want always overexposed the film then gently developed it. Rate Tri-X for example at 200 or even 100 then only develop it until you get the highlights that you are looking for. Probably 30ish percent less than recommended IIRC. That will give you a negative that has detail everywhere. One of my friends even went as far as water bath development with his LF negs which is a pretty extreme way of doing it. Anyway, that is how you do it. Your results will depend a lot on the light of course.

Developer choice isn't as critical as you may think it is. I'd recommend a solvent developer. Even D-76 will be fine.

Off the top of my head, Henry Wessel is probably the best example I can think of if you are looking to print your negs in the darkroom. Mark Steinmetz is another. The photographer you referenced in your OP looks to me like he scans his negs but I could be wrong about that.

great info, thanks so much for sharing. I love Henry Wessel and Mark Steinmetz, you nailed it, thanks! and yes you are right, Joshua Lutz most likely scans his negatives.