Response to developing

If you have a darkroom, you can prefill the developing tank; then after you have loaded the reel, start the timer and plunge the film into the tank. Give the tank the usual raps to knock the air bells loose. If high precision is needed, move the reels to a vessel containing the stop bath at the end of the developing time. Once in the stop bath, you can take your time to get the film into the fixer. In the book, The Theory of the Photographic Process, the authors cite two major factors that contribute to grain clumping (besides the choice of film and developer). They are sudden changes in pH and sudden changes in temperature. Some photographers like to use a water rinse rather than an acid stop. I've not seen much difference in my work either way. I keep the the temperatures in all the chemicals and the wash withing 2 degrees F. Have fun!

[ Previous | Next ]