 BetterPhoto Member |
Developing Hello everyone I tried and read all of the books of photography and how to develop film but everytime I develop my film in the developing tank my negatives come out blank instead of with the pics I took. Can anyone help????? Thanks
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Mark Feldstein |
This could be a few things actually, Taylor. If you can see frame numbers on the film, it's not a chemical mixing problem. But if you can't, chances are it is. In that case, what I recommend is that you start this from scratch. Toss all your premixed chemicals and mix some new developer and fixer according to the directions on the packages. Double check everything. Fire off some test exposures in your camera. Doesn't need to be a whole roll, just say 6 or 8 shots, bracket them so you know some are definitely overexposed and will produce dense negatives. Rewind the film being careful not to wind it back in the cassette. Leave the tail sticking out a few inches. Trim the leader, go into your darkroom or light tight closet, pull out say 9-10" of film and load that into your tank on the spool. Then add the developer, (make sure the developer isn't a stock solution that needs to be diluted. See the mixing instructions). Then time it according to whatever temp it's at, and rinse then add fixer. (I don't like using stop bath on film, just personal preference). See what you get. Again, if the film is completely blank, e-mail me and tell me exactly what steps you followed, what developer, fixer, etc. and at one point you opened the tank to look at your work. If you DO see frame numbers and the roll is still otherwise completely blank, then we need to start looking at other things like camera, loading technique, film, where you got the film, whether it was prepackaged or you spooled it yourself, ad infinitim.
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Molly A. Galloway |
It sounds like a problem with your camera. Maybe it is not reading what you take. It could be that all of the chemicals are not mixed to exact specifications. (this is very confusing-once I mixed film chemicals and tried to run my paper through that. I had no idea I used the wrong chemical!) Make sure all of the temps. and measurements are correct and shoot lots of practice rolls! *Also make sure you are shaking up your film while in the chemicals for the right amount of time. It has been so long since I have done it that I can't remember what the times are, but you should be able to do a search for it.
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Mark Feldstein |
So Molly, out of curiosity, why do you think it would be a camera problem if you don't know whether the film is coming out completely blank or with frame numbers? M.
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Molly A. Galloway |
I have no idea. It is just a possibility.
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Molly A. Galloway |
I am thinking the camera may just not be set to expose correctly, Mark. Could be any number of things thou. I say just take a roll to walgreens and then, Taylor you will know if it's your camera or not.
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Mark Feldstein |
Well Molly, if the film is completely blank without the brand of film, the frame numbering system, etc., then she has a processing problem. If the frame numbers appear but that's all, it's a camera problem. The reason is because improperly mixed chemistries, developer and fixer, (usually developer, usually not diluted properly so it's too strong, is the culprit more than fixer) will remove those numbers which are imprinted on every roll of film. That's why I asked her about that initially, but it's a moot point I guess since it seems she's disappeared. Maybe overdeveloped herself?? Whaddya think? Take it light ;>) Mark
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Molly A. Galloway |
Well Thanks! I'm sure all of us will benefit from your info. :)
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