DEFECTS IN NEGATIVES AND PRINTS 539 



springs of the printer. In the case of printers with pneumatic pressure plates, the 

 difficulty may usually be prevented by keeping the pressure pad fully inflated. 

 4. Remedy. — Retouching. 



Blurred Print. 



1. Distinguishing Characteristic. — Print generally blurred and lacking in sharpness, 

 although negative is satisfactorily sharp. 



2. Cause. — (a) In contact printing, this lack of sharpness maj' be due to printing 

 with the emulsion side of the negative away from the emulsion side of the print. 

 This is definitely the cause if the picture is reversed left to right. (6) In enlargement 

 printing, the difficulty is probably due to relative motion between the negative and the 

 print during printing or to an unsteady and perhaps vibrating enlarger. 



3. Prevention.— {a) The emulsion side of the print and the emulsion side of the 

 negative must always be kept in contact during printing. (6) Solidity of the enlarger 

 is the only prevention for blurred prints in enlarging which are caused in the manner 

 suggested above. Mechanical adjustments, repairs, or reinforcements of parts may 

 be required. Vibration may sometimes be prevented by mounting the enlarger on a 

 resilient support, as rubber pads, or suspension from springs. 



4. Remedy. — None. 



Fog 

 Fog. 



1. Distingxdshing Characteristic. — (a) General gray cast over entire print, especially 

 noticeable in parts which should be white. (6) Gray or granular appearance of print. 



2. Cause. — Fog of printing paper which may be due to (a) light-struck paper; 

 (6) use of too strong a safe light, safe light too close to printing paper, safe light acting 

 on printing paper for too long a time, or safe light with improper filter; (c) forced 

 development so that silver halides not acted upon by light are reduced; {d) improperly 

 compounded or impure developer. 



3. Prevention. — (a) Protect printing paper bj^ keeping it in black lighttight 

 envelopes, boxes, or drawers when not in use. Do not permit paper to lie around in 

 the darkroom unless protected from the safe light. (6) Test safe light to ascertain 

 that light is not too intense and that the safe-light filter used is suitable for use with 

 the printing paper. Do not expose printing paper to safe light longer than necessary, 

 (c) Develop printing paper in accordance with directions provided by manufacturer. 

 Avoid forcing development, {d) Use properly compounded developers made up with 

 fresh pure chemicals. Do not use exhausted, old, or deteriorated developer. Use 

 developer recommended by the manufacturer of the printing paper, and develop 

 according to manufacturer's directions. 



4. Remedy. — Make new print. 



Incorrect Contrast 

 Contrasty Prints. 



1. Distinguishing Characteristic. — Prints have excessive contrast, or are lacking 

 in detail, so that they present a "soot and whitewash" eifect. Detail may be lacking 

 in both high lights and dark tones. 



2. Cause. — Use of too contrasty a printing paper for the range of densities in the 

 negative. 



3. Prevention. — Use a less contrasty printing paper. Such papers are also known 

 as soft or fiat papers. 



4. Remedy. — Make a new print. 



