I've heard about using high developer dilutions and its resulting 'edge effect' how does this work?

-- Jorge Andrada (glamour@mozcom.com), May 11, 2001

Answers

The developer claps out in the dense areas of the negative, releasing bromide ions and other oxidation byproducts that inhibit development in the adjacent image areas. Only works if agitation is kept to a minimum as well. Goes hand-in-hand with 'compensating' development which curtails contrast by limiting maximum negative density. The technique runs the risk of overall underdevelopment by starving the film of developer altogether.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), May 11, 2001.

It also lengthens your development time, can change the shape of the gradation curve (more S shaped), increases grain, increases speed (sometimes), and, saves you money. Be more specific.

-- Pat Raymore (patrick.f.raymore@kp.org), May 11, 2001.