Reflection Fogging - HELP FAST!!!

[aaronmichael]

Tomorrow is winter solstice and I'm going to be loading a bunch of cameras tonight to put up for solargraphs. I took one down today that's been up for six months and I just took a very quick look at it but it seems like it's very fogged and monotone - but there's definitely an image. I used a soup can for the camera and the paper covered almost the whole interior of the camera. I'm thinking that light is bouncing off the white paper and fogging the image. Any suggestions as to how to fix this problem? Maybe use a smaller sheet of paper that covers the back half of the camera? I was using fiber paper, if that makes any difference. Help would be greatly appreciated since I'm loading cameras tonight! Thanks.

 

[steven_e007]

I don't really know - but maybe try matt paper?

 

[aaronmichael]

It was matte paper, but I still think the fact that it's white or a very light cream color is affecting the rest of the image - hmmm.

 

[brucemuir]

How about trying a half sheet or smaller.

Would this kill the shot you're after?

edit: okay saw you already thought of it
sounds like it may work if the inside of the can is matte black.

 

[aaronmichael]

I might go ahead and try half a sheet. It wouldn't necessarily kill the shot, just might not have all of the image that could be there. The good thing is I'm putting up like 12 cameras, so I'll try different things in each of them and see what happens.

 

[Ric Johnson]

maybe paint the whole inside with black paint?

 

[aaronmichael]

I painted all the new ones black inside. That will definitely help with reflections if I don't use a full piece to cover the whole inside. I'm thinking too it will keep light from bouncing back onto the paper after it goes "through" the paper.

 

[Tom Miller]

Stray thoughts, too late for the solstice, but here goes.
Fogginess may be part of the nature of the beast.
Did you gauge the fogginess by looking at the neg or doing a scan? Looking at the image after scanning may make it look better and bring out the color.
The paper you use will have a huge impact on what the image looks like. See this link: http://www.greggkemp.com/projects/papers-for-solargraphy A rule of thumb is to use multigrade paper and not graded paper.
Do you live in a snowy climate? Six month solargraphs where I live are likely to have between four and ten weeks of snow cover on the ground. This can lighten an image, to say the least.

And best of luck with the solargraphs. They are fascinating and often a pleasant surprise.