I know this is something most people wouldn't want to accomplish but I recently saw some figure works that were reticulated. What is the easiest most repeatable way of reticulating my film with pleasing effects? And will I have to make any changes in exposure? thanks everett

-- everett (everettr@bellsouth.net), January 22, 1999

Answers

I once went swimming in the sea with a roll of HP4 in my pocket. Yes, I was fully-clothed and drunk at the time. The following day, I rescued the roll, washed it, then processed it. Result: very heavy reticulation, especially down one side of the roll (possibly that was where the sea water had got to the film).

I wouldn't attempt to exactly repeat that method, but it does suggest that a salt water would do the trick.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), January 22, 1999.

I don't know how pleasing the effects would be, but I once mistakenly processed my film with wildly varying temps. I was new to this at the time, so don't flame me. Try developing normally, washing the film in one bath of very cold water (about 15 degrees centigrade) then washing in very hot water (about 30 degrees centigrade), then fixing. Worked for me once.

-- Darron Spohn (dspohn@clicknet.com), January 25, 1999.

I know this is a cheat - but I've had wonderful results using a reticulation filter when I print. Just lay it over the negative in the carrier and voila - instant reticulation. You can also try the other texture filters and not mess up your negative.

-- T Sefton (tsefton@hotmail.com), March 01, 1999.

Ive done this a few times for clients and it works pretty well. Develope the film normally but use a non-hardening fixer. After the fix emmerse the film in really hot water 100+ when the film stops screaming(3 to 6 min.)emmerse it in really cold water,ice water(2 or so min). You can wash it normally but the film will feel and look slimy. If that doesnt crinkle the emulsion then the temp extremes are not great enough. Good luck.

-- anthony twiggs (astwiggs@aol.com), April 06, 1999.