Advice, Dark Corners and Lines on Prints

MP3ismuder · Mar 5, 2016

Hi,

I'm having a few issues with my prints and wondered if any experts out there can help. I have attached two images to illustrate.

1. I'm getting lines on images, most noticeable in the sky. I have a suspicion it might be to do with the power or transformer. I know the mains supply is quite 'noisy' in my house. Would like a second opinion though.

2. There are these grey boarders appearing at the edge of prints. I thought this might be because of bad fix but I've tested the fix with a strip of film and it seems okay.

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

bsdunek · Mar 5, 2016

How old is your paper? Looks to me like the paper is fogged from age, heat, or something.

MP3ismuder · Mar 5, 2016

The paper is pretty old (10+ years) and stored in a cupboard above a radiator, so that sounds like the issue with the grey boarders.
I thought it might be the paper but tried more than one box and had the same issue, but it is all old so I guess that's it.

Think this might be causing the lines in the top image too?

bdial · Mar 5, 2016

I agree with Bruce, the print in the second one certainly is fogged. I've encountered problems with mottling, kind of similar to the first one from old paper.
One way to test for fogging is to divide a sheet in half, without exposing, develop, stop and fix one half and only fix the other. They should match, if there is tone in the developed half it is from fogging. Ideally you should do this in complete darkness, especially if you haven't tested your safelights.

MP3ismuder · Mar 5, 2016

I shall test the paper with the method you mentioned. Some solid advice here.

One more question, is fiber paper likely to suffer from the same thing?

RobC · Mar 5, 2016

did you use a squeege on the negatives. The top one looks like its been wiped with something. It could be dirty enlager glass.

RobC · Mar 5, 2016

all papers will fog eventually and much sooner if they are not kept cool. That fogging looks like exposure to air and light and the heat will certainly not have done it any good. They also lose contrast with age.

RobC · Mar 5, 2016

you'll soon find out if its fogged when you try and use it.

bsdunek · Mar 5, 2016

But, it's still great for Lumen prints and other alternative stuff. I have some Unicolor Galorie paper from the 70's I bought at a photo store going out of business. Wonderful for Lumen prints!

MP3ismuder · Mar 5, 2016

No squeege on the negatives and scanning shows no lines so I'll put it down to the paper. I won't sling the paper yet, like you said, good for experimenting

I also have 50 sheets of some 16X20 fiber ilford I was given, results for this have been consistent and no issues yet.

MattKing · Mar 6, 2016

Your in the UK - are you sure it isn't rain?

Seriously, I'll agree that it looks like old paper to me.

Advice, Dark Corners and Lines on Prints

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