How to distress negative BEFORE developing

madison · Dec 27, 2008

Hello,
I have three rolls of 35mm TriX negs that I shot at 1600 (swings in central park in the snow) that I want to distress before developing. Thinking of sanding some edges with sandpaper (I know you all just said OUCH), maybe throwing some sand in developing tank, could scratch on the base side delicately and randomly (but think that is tricky), and maybe trying to crumple the film ( think this would work for 120 to give me those crescent shaped marks - but not sure with 35mm).

Any suggestions. I know that I can selectively destroy the negatives after processing, but I am looking to randomly cause pain and distress to these negatives as a conceptual component to their nostalgic quality.

Thanks
Meg

Sand Photogram and Photograph

Andy K · Dec 27, 2008

If you throw sand in the tank you'll also ruin your tank.

removed account4 · Dec 27, 2008

you could always take your film out of canister and step on it on the floor,
or after you presoak the film, take it off the reel and rub it against something
abrasive like a piece of cut wood, or stone or a coin's edge or salt or sand
then wash the film off before putting back onto the reel and start development again.
these things might work best with the film wet because the emulsion will be soft enough
that it won't take much effort to etch it.

have fun!

john

madison · Dec 27, 2008

john
thanks, I did think of stepping on it on the floor, but rubbing it after presoaking is a better idea.

And thanks Andy thanks for the warning that the tank will be unusable in normal processing.
Meg

jim appleyard · Dec 27, 2008

Let the film accidentally drop on to a not-too-clean basement floor just as you hanging it up to dry. This is always good for several dust spots.

You could try to get some reticulation by going from icewater to hot water and back; although TX may be quite resistant to this now.

Phillip P. Dimor · Dec 27, 2008

I could never get my tri-x to reticulate, or any other film for that matter.
I'd try a dunk in near boiling water and then an ice bath, over and over again.

If you want to scratch them up before developing, try a small pinch of silicon carbide/valve grinding compound, even dremel buffing/polishing compound between your fingers (wet the silicon carbide slightly to a paste first) and just run the film through your fingers.
Even find wet sandpaper, etc.

I'd definitely dedicate a reel and tank to this, or just use a rubbermaid tub in the dark (no reel)..

Phillip P. Dimor · Dec 27, 2008

perhaps throw your film in a rock tumber? rock tumblers are fun.

Kino · Dec 27, 2008

Phillip P. Dimor said:
perhaps throw your film in a rock tumber? rock tumblers are fun.

Perhaps you could *process* them in the rock tumbler by throwing in the required amount of developer amidst a hand full of steel shot, some pebbles and some tumbling compound. If the drum is large enough, I wouldn't even worry about putting it on a reel and let it float; the rocks and shot should keep the film from sticking together, but then again, who knows?

At the required time, pull out the film in total darkness, rinse well in a water bath and continue with processing as normal.

If you want to sacrifice a tank, you could locate a color print motor base and drum and do it in that...

a thought...

Anon Ymous · Dec 27, 2008

Hello Meg!

What you want to do is quite strange, nevertheless here's my 2c:

Doing anything before development is not so wise. You'll get all sorts of problems. Just develop them as usual. Then get a bit of the cheapest expired film you can find. Fix it, just make a clear strip of film base. Take that clear strip and abuse it at will. Sandwich the frame you want to print with the clear strip and print as you would do normally. The pros of this technique are obvious

nuckabean · Dec 27, 2008

I saw images on some toy camera site of film that had been soaked in a bath of crushed pharmaceuticals prior to processing that gave interesting results.

Sirius Glass · Dec 27, 2008

Madison,

Just your using the film is distressing enough. Give the rolls to someone who will appreciate them.

Steve

Graham06 · Dec 27, 2008

How about Vaseline? I'm thinking of things that will affect the way things develop. Vaseline smeared on the film will prevent developer reaching the film.

I've never tried it (and don't know much about stand development), but a really weak developer developed for a very long time (like overnight) might give interesting effects.

sprinkle some salt (table or other) on the wet negatives before developing. Pick something that is an ingredient of a developer.

I would suggest cutting the negatives before developing and then trying severfal things, because most things you try will wreck the negatives in ways you won't like, and only a few things will have an effect you will like.

Soda water may leave bubbles ( an may also poison you with nasty developer gasses)

mineral or cooking oil will prevent development

jim appleyard · Dec 27, 2008

Sadistic group, aren't we?

eddie · Dec 27, 2008

I've been doing some distressing of 4x5 negatives, but after developing. I'm using sandpaper. I would suggest trying your plan with a fine grained sandpaper (around 220 grit). Coarser grades will gouge the emulsion fairly deeply. You can see my results here:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Another idea would be to place the negatives, emulsion side up, on a piece of glass. Throw some sand on top, cover with another piece of glass, and pull the negatives through the sandwich.

removed account4 · Dec 27, 2008

madison said:
john
thanks, I did think of stepping on it on the floor, but rubbing it after presoaking is a better idea.

And thanks Andy thanks for the warning that the tank will be unusable in normal processing.
Meg

sounds like you will have fun

john

gandolfi · Dec 28, 2008

well - this is my way of doing it...

mostly after the negative has been developed, but there are some interesting choises for you, also before..

Students of mine has experienced with different ideas..

freeze the film, and then put it directly in boiling water.. or put it on a very hot frying pan..

then see what happens...

I like to do it after the development, and there are a lot of choises for you to try out.
It is all fun, and sometimes also frustrating!

see here for examples: http://www.emilschildt.com/KILL.htm

see here for techniques used: http://www.emilschildt.com/TEKNIKSIDE-KILL.htm

Have fun! I have!!!

Michael W · Dec 28, 2008

I remember at art school a guy was careless when processing some B&W Super 8 film; he didn't use a spiral but just stuffed it in the tank & processed. Had some interesting effects when projected as alternating patches that were developed or undeveloped went through.

madison · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks for all the ideas. I am moving slowly with regards to this project. Will post some results in a few weeks. Meg

How to distress negative BEFORE developing

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