I was reading the 'Latent Image Concept' chapter of Advanced Photography by Michael Langford (1969) & came across the following passage. It sounds bizarre, wondering if anyone has ever tried this.
As the latent image consists of atoms of metallic silver it is possible to fix an exposed but undeveloped emulsion in hypo, and even then develop it. The hypo will dissolve away the whole of the silver halides but, provided it is not strong* enough to also dissolve the few silver atoms forming the latent image, a developable image will remain in the emulsion. After washing the film can be placed in a physical developer, for as we have seen, this type of solution does not require the presence of silver halide. In fact the development - which may take several hours - can take place in white light.
* It should be acidified
he describes 'physical developers' as those that include some silver nitrate & add silver to the crystals. I suppose this is a somewhat dangerous developer you'd have to mix yourself. I'm just posting this out of curiosity. I haven't accidentally fixed some undeveloped film. However I was under the impression that if you fixed undeveloped film there would be nothing left to develop. I'd like to hear from those who know about photographic chemistry as to their thought on the above passage.
As the latent image consists of atoms of metallic silver it is possible to fix an exposed but undeveloped emulsion in hypo, and even then develop it. The hypo will dissolve away the whole of the silver halides but, provided it is not strong* enough to also dissolve the few silver atoms forming the latent image, a developable image will remain in the emulsion. After washing the film can be placed in a physical developer, for as we have seen, this type of solution does not require the presence of silver halide. In fact the development - which may take several hours - can take place in white light.
* It should be acidified
he describes 'physical developers' as those that include some silver nitrate & add silver to the crystals. I suppose this is a somewhat dangerous developer you'd have to mix yourself. I'm just posting this out of curiosity. I haven't accidentally fixed some undeveloped film. However I was under the impression that if you fixed undeveloped film there would be nothing left to develop. I'd like to hear from those who know about photographic chemistry as to their thought on the above passage.
