Yes, but sharpening was very slight, to make it at least closer to the print. Selective sharpening, only on the men and nets. When printed traditionally, no need for sharpening, it is very sharp naturally. Of course, one may skip sharpening, but that is not my preference. BTW, Rodinal I used was 1:50 dilution, and it can be 1:25, etc.
However, it is a combination of things. Rodinal is well-known as not a fine-grain developer, and the Tri-X + Rodinal combo is also known for high acutance (sharpness), grain, and strong edges. It is this grain or character that users of the combo like, especially when printed large. Grain can also be affected by how it is developed. It's not for everyone, just like not all like RFs

, although the combo has a strong following.
Something similar to this image below from Salgado (who prints large). This is just a scan, though, it would be great to see the actual print.
More of his work:
Sebastiao Salgado
But the only way to really see the effect is to view traditional prints. Digital scans can only give a hint.
Then again, personal preferences kick in. Like I don't like Rodinal with Ilford Delta 400, yet someone likes it *scratch head*, here in the Flickr Rodinal forum:
Flickr Rodinal forum
P.S. Another photographer who uses it, but overdevelops :
Ralph Gibson
I read that Ansel Adams used HC-110, but on large-format.
On MF, the combo has a similar effect. But in bright light, it's not so evident, like on this pic I posted at the MF section:
Bonsai Tree
.
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