I mentioned in a post that I do chemical reticulation on Tri-X and I was asked how I do it.
My favorite films to use are Tri-X and Plus-x. They have a softer emulsion that soaks up much more water than other films (Tmax, Ilford) giving a greater efect after drying.
Fix without hardener and wash negs, if negs are dry soak in warm water for about 20 min.
Mix a small amount (few grams to an ounce or more per liter) of sodium carbonate (also known as soda ash-dense) with hot water. (100f to 160f) The chemical softens and forces the emultion to soak up water and when it dries it leaves a wrinkled surface. The more chemical used the more water asorbed, The hotter the water the faster the reaction. A few grams at 100-120f will give skin a leopard spot look. An ounce at 160F will turn the emultion to a jell and you can see silver wash off and even wipe the film base clean. When the film is soft play with the emultion, my favorite is to rub it with a tennis ball for a abstract/distorted look.
Wash in cold water and dry. Drying will take a long time. If you have small crystals on the dry negs, wipe then off, rewash or print with them on. They can look cool.
You will ger very different looks from 35mm MF and LF films.
Have fun, Great use of outdated film.
John
My favorite films to use are Tri-X and Plus-x. They have a softer emulsion that soaks up much more water than other films (Tmax, Ilford) giving a greater efect after drying.
Fix without hardener and wash negs, if negs are dry soak in warm water for about 20 min.
Mix a small amount (few grams to an ounce or more per liter) of sodium carbonate (also known as soda ash-dense) with hot water. (100f to 160f) The chemical softens and forces the emultion to soak up water and when it dries it leaves a wrinkled surface. The more chemical used the more water asorbed, The hotter the water the faster the reaction. A few grams at 100-120f will give skin a leopard spot look. An ounce at 160F will turn the emultion to a jell and you can see silver wash off and even wipe the film base clean. When the film is soft play with the emultion, my favorite is to rub it with a tennis ball for a abstract/distorted look.
Wash in cold water and dry. Drying will take a long time. If you have small crystals on the dry negs, wipe then off, rewash or print with them on. They can look cool.
You will ger very different looks from 35mm MF and LF films.
Have fun, Great use of outdated film.
John
