Into the light

wedoe · May 8, 2007

How much of the print process has to happen in the darkroom? I have to do my washing in another room, and I have the lights on by then. My prints seem to turn out fine, though as the beginner I am I may not be the best judge. Is there any crucial turning point?

Peter Black · May 8, 2007

Ideally once fixing is complete, although some say you can put the light on when it is halfway through the fixing time. Given that we're only talking a minute or 2, I wait until the end of the fixing time.

Gay Larson · May 8, 2007

Lights (other than safelight) should not go on until you have fixed the print. Sometimes I turn on the light after I have had the print in the fixer for a bit. I usually wait at least 60 to 90 seconds for fiber paper and 30 seconds for RC paper. There are probably more hard and fast guideline for how long in the fixer before turning on the light but that is what I use.

ben-s · May 8, 2007

I've always been OK with placing fixed prints in a "holding tray" of plain water for washing later in the light.
This is necessary for me, as I have my darkroom in the loft, and thus there is no running water.
If you expose unfixed prints to light for any period of time, they will turn yellow and then pinkish purple.
Hope this helps.

iimagine · May 8, 2007

Hi,
I'm new to apug but thought I might help here. I work in a darkroom at my local art center. Also, teach black and white photo 1 there too. But anyway. As long as you have completely fixed. You are fine washing in the light. Oftentimes, after permawashing and a two minute wash on my fiber I will put the prints between paper towels, go home and do my finish 30 minute wash in a tray in my bathroom tub with the water running. No problem with spots or coloring ever.

Into the light

wedoe

Peter Black

Gay Larson

ben-s

iimagine

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