CHAPTER XY. 

 OPERATIONS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENT. 



FIXING, CLEANING, INTENSIFICATION, REDUCTION. 



AFTER development is judged to be complete the plate is to 

 be carefully washed by non-actinic light under a tap for a 

 couple of minutes or in a few changes of water. It may then 

 be placed in a saturated solution of common alum ; but except 

 in cases where plates have a tendency to frill, this is not neces- 

 sary. The plate is then " fixed " in a solution of sodic hypo- 

 sulphite made alkaline. (See page 63.) The plate is to 

 remain in the "hypo" solution not only till the white (un- 

 altered argentic bromide) has disappeared from the back, but 

 a considerable time longer. If the plate is removed as soon as 

 the white has gone, it will deteriorate to a certainty after a 

 time. After fixation, the plate must be very thoroughly 

 washed, preferably under a rose tap, for 10 minutes, or in one 

 of the washing-machines sold for the purpose. Several hours 

 are necessary in the latter case. After the hypo is undoubt- 

 edly removed the plate may be " cleared " in the acid alum 

 solution formulated on page 63. In this it may remain for 

 about 5 minutes or longer. It is thereafter to be thoroughly 

 washed, and racked to dry. The beginner at all events is 

 recommended to make a print from his negative before he 

 ventures upon any other step he may think advisable. The 

 negative should be shown to an expert photographer, who will 

 instantly say if there has been any serious error of treatment. 



If the negative is " thin " or pale all over and wanting in 

 contrast, yielding 011 albumenized paper a " washed-out" look- 

 ing print, all gray and no black, intensification may be tried. 



