

Developers and Development 
On no other photographic topic has more 
been written nor is there another about which 
more information is asked than there is con- 
cerning development. There was a time when 
the photographer had a choice between but two 
developers, ferrous oxalate and pyro. Then 
hydrochinon was boomed, the claim for it being 
greater latitude in exposure and development, 
and that in cases of underexposure, the develop- 
ment could be prolonged without danger of fog- 
ging the plate. Eikonogen followed closely, 
with its claim of greater energy, and with the 
possibility of getting with it more detail in under 
and instantaneous exposures. Other new de- 
velopers appeared in quick succession; for each 
was claimed not only all the merits of the other 
developers but other essential qualities which 
they lacked. So a large body of amateurs, 
especially beginners, have been and are shifting 
from one developer to another, frequently 
changing the old formula for a new, following 
many suggestions, but mastering little, if any- 
thing; and becoming discouraged, they ask, 
“What is the best developer? Which is the 
best method of development?” 
The amateur whose negatives are satisfac- 
tory, no matter with what developer nor by 
what method they were developed, is earnestly 
advised to make no immediate change, either in 
his developer or his methods, until by a series of 
experiments he proves to his satisfaction that 
some other fellow’s developer or method is 
better. There are few who have not some pet 
formula which they believe to be superior to all 
others, but with the same developing agent the 
possibilities of the various formule are about 
equal, and for any brand of plates it is not likely 
that another formula than the one recommended 
by the plate-maker will be an improvement. 
But for the amateur in the midst of dark-room 
troubles, who has not met with the success he 
desires, the following, which for several years 
has been the writer’s formula and mode of 
development, can be recommended. 
A. 
Sulphite of soda, dry.-.-.......-. 6 ounces. 
CTE Ec. GBI Coe Ee oe nce ane 32 e 
. WN ALOE hs rato he hes: oe cheyd cusie os 9'e'vin 32 
The directions given for using this developer 
are as follows: Take of A, 3 ounce; B, 4 ounce; 
water, 2 ounces. 
Right here is a point generally overlooked. 
The directions, given by the plate-maker, may 
be followed very rigidly in the studio, where for 
exposing the plate the light can be so controlled 
that the subject shall be given the softness or 
briliancy of illumination which it requires. 
But with the amateur conditions are different. 
In field work he often has to contend with vio- 
lent contrasts of light and shade; bright patches 
of sunlight against dark masses in the shadow. 
Again, he has to work with a dull, flat light, with 
very little contrast between the lights and 
shadows of his subject, conditions which are 
beyond his control. In the development, how- 
ever, it is possible to modify, though not to cor- 
rect, the effects produced by these conditions; 
contrasts can be softened by stopping develop- 
ment as soon as the details in the shadows are 
clearly seen, and they can be intensified by pro- 
longed development. 
Another matter of importance is the strength 
of the solution in which the plate or film is 
developed. The writer once plodded along 
using the developer under all conditions and for 
all subjects, exactly as directed in the printed 
instructions. The development was quite rapid, 
the negatives often overdeveloped, and they 
were “ contrasty,” too dense and harsh. Changes 
of formula brought no better results. The only 
remedy that availed was a weaker developer. 
The experiments were commenced by diluting 
the combined developing solutions with double 
the usual quantity of water, then three times as 
much, and so on. It was noted that with the 
more dilute developer, the less rapid was the 
development, and eventually, that with a colder 
developer the development was even slower. 
And as a result of these experiences the devel- 
oper is diluted with from four to six times the 
usual quantity of water in winter, and from ten 
to twelve times the quantity in summer. By 
this method the development is always under 
control, the much diluted solution, itself, retard- 
ing the too rapid development of overexposures, 
which, as a rule, require only a longer develop- 
ment and seldom the addition of a restrainer. 
The formula given, like all others, is only 
