Questions Regarding Spots on Film

[Carsen Moon]

Hello,

I am relatively new to film photography--I shot B&W in High school and developed myself, but recently picked up the camera again and started shooting color. I have my neighborhood film store develop my negatives and I scan them myself with my Epson V550 and use photoshop for editing.

Unfortunately, I have been getting bad white spots on my film pretty much from the time I got back into film (a year ago). I normally do my best to clean the film after I pick it up from the shop, then use clone tool to fix any other white spots (but many photos are too affected and clone tool takes forever).

I was hoping one of you can take a look at a sample shot I attached. I would be incredibly grateful to anyone who can use their experience to help me.

Questions:

1. Do this look like dust that occurred during processing? If so, are film shops open to criticism if I ask them about this?

2. Do it look like dust that might be in the camera/lens? How can you tell the difference?

3. I have tried cleaning this negative using a microfiber cloth/rocket blower. Would any other method be able to remove these

Sorry if this has been asked a million times. THanks!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Please post photographs of the negatives or scans of the negatives as negatives so that we can help you.

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio.
That does look like lot of dust!
But then again, scanners reveal dust better than any other piece of equipment or technique I have ever worked with.
The dust won't have originated in the camera. It almost looks like the film was dried in a dust filled room.
A couple of suggestions:
- see if you can see the dust itself on the negatives, using a magnifier;
- scan a negative. Remove the negative from the scanner, dust it off with the blower brush only, re-insert the negative into the scanner turned 180 degrees around (but not turned over) and scan the negative again. Compare the two scans to see if the dust has moved;
- if your scanner and software offers dust removal options, try to use them to see if there is improvement
The first two suggestions will help you determine if the dust is in the scanner and not the film, as well as determining if the dust is embedded rather than on the surface of the film.
I would be careful with a microfiber cloth - personally I use a jet of air and a camel hair brush.
Your lab should be happy to discuss issues of dust with you.
Good luck.

 

[Carsen Moon]

Thanks for the reply Sirius/Matt! Attached to this is the full photo. Ignore the hair, I know how to get rid of that

The dust is definitely on the film as I have change the negatives position and the spots remain the same. The spots are also only showing up on some photos, so I don't think my scanner is the issue.

I really appreciate the info you provided Matt--I'm glad to know it is probably not the camera. I think the dust is embedded as extensive blowing has not removed or changed its position. Does embedded dust only occur when the film is wet?

 

[MattKing]

Does embedded dust only occur when the film is wet?

Basically, yes.
It would probably be a good idea to talk to your lab.