How do I correct underdeveloped film?

b.raimondo · Apr 27, 2005

I've underdeveloped some Tri X film and need to know if I can correct the problem.

Donald Miller · Apr 27, 2005

b.raimondo said:
I've underdeveloped some Tri X film and need to know if I can correct the problem.

Depends on how underdeveloped the film is. If it marginally underdeveloped you may be able to compensate by printing at a higher contrast filtration. In lieu of that you can try one of the intensification procedures.

André E.C. · Apr 27, 2005

Well, I think you can use some intensifier to increase the density but this only will work your highlights, not that much the shadows.
The level of grain will increase for sure and Tri-X is on the grainy side already.

Cheers

André

b.raimondo · Apr 27, 2005

Thank you for your reply. I've never done intensification before. How does it work and what do I do?

noseoil · Apr 27, 2005

Learn from it. Next time give more development, why live in the past and beat a dead horse? tim

John Cook · Apr 27, 2005

Kodak used to be the standard source for intensifier. But since they began dumping their entire product line, who knows?

Photographers Formulary has a few intensifiers for sale. If you noodle around on their website for a while you will eventually come to the package instruction sheet, which should have all the information you need.

Here is the web address:

http://www.photoformulary.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=9&CategoryID=39&langID=0

ann · Apr 27, 2005

you can try some selenium; however, as mentioned the is not going to give you any help with the shadow details, but it can help raise the over all density level of the negative, which may make it easier to print

soak your negative in water for a few minutes, and re-fix in plain hyo. Take some selenium diluted with HCA 1:2 , use a tray that is white so you can watch the negative change . Then wash as usual.

This is not a magic bullet but may be worth a try.

George Papantoniou · Apr 27, 2005

There are two possibilities: A. you've massively underdeveloped and B. you've underdeveloped a little bit...

In the first case, there's not much you can do (there are some solutions, but complicated and difficult to realise).

In the second case, you will not have lost your shadow detail (shadows do not need much development to show on the negative) so you just have to correct the negative contrast for it to be printable on an acceptable paper grade. Try selenium toning. It's relatively safe and sometimes effective. Other options are chromium intensifier, that is a quite dangerous poison and can also ruin your negative. Mercury intensifier is not an option, in my opinion. Too dangerous for your health... so, if someone suggests that you use it, just forget it.

raucousimages · Apr 27, 2005

Reshoot or just learn from it.

Ole · Apr 27, 2005

If you go for intensification, try the bleach & pyro method first: Bleach in dichromate/bromide bleach, wash, then redevelop in a staining developer. I used 1 tsp Pyro and 2 tsp NaCO3 in about 1/2 liter water, worked like a dream. The negative I used this on was correctly developed, but I decided I needed more contrast for POP printing...
Unlike most other intensification methods, this one is fully reversible. That in itself makes it a good way to start!

noseoil said:
Learn from it. Next time give more development, why live in the past and beat a dead horse? tim

Because dead horses don't kick?

kjsphoto · Apr 27, 2005

You can try to selenium tone the neg. That may help. Test on a test neg first.

Kev

raucousimages · Apr 27, 2005

Kick a dead horse all you want and it still won't move.

How do I correct underdeveloped film?

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