404 



RECREATION. 



and holder are not light-tight it will show 

 on developing the plate. Fog is often 

 caused by light entering the slide or 

 between holder and back of camera. 



A developer containing a surplus of 

 alkali effects more detail in the shadows 

 and lessens the intensity of the high lights, 

 which causes more softness in the negative ; 

 consequently such a developer suits well for 

 under exposed plates, which explains why 

 for under exposures a preliminary bath in a 

 soda solution or ammonia solution is used 

 to advantage. A large number of devel- 

 oping substances, such as pyro, eikonogen, 

 metol, hydrochinone and glycin, quickly 

 intensify the high lights, and hasten the 

 development, so that the shadows re- 

 main far behind; therefore a modification 

 by little over exposure, dull lighting, or 

 soft- working plates, is of good service. 



The developer diluted with water slows 

 the process of development, gives the 

 shadows more chance to work through 

 before the high lights have gained their 

 strength, prevents contrast, and therefore 

 is recommended for contrasty plates or 

 under exposure. The old or used de- 

 veloper acts the same as bromide, checks 

 the development, and clears, and is used 

 when plates are greatly over exposed or 

 a general fog is apparent. 



A soft camel's hair brush may be used 

 to remove dust from plates before placing 

 them in the holder or dark slide. If the 

 brushing is done hurriedly, the film will 

 be instantly electrified and attract to 

 itself more dust than you remove. 



When plates are exposed and set away 

 for future development, be sure to set 

 them face to face, as they were in the 

 original boxes. If the face, or film, is 

 placed against the back, you will probably 

 have finger marks on the film, caused by 

 the fingers coming in contact with the 

 backs of the plates while placing them in 

 the holder. 



It is advisable to use a fresh solution 

 of hyposulphite of soda each day during 

 hot weather. The fresh solution hardens 

 the film, and alum will not be necessary. 

 Thorough fixing and thorough washing, 

 followed by quick drying, will insure per- 

 manency and fine printing quality in 

 the negative. 



During the hot season the developer 

 must be used more diluted and cold, 

 by placing in ice-cold water; while 

 during the cold season it should be stronger 

 and moderately warm, about 70 F. De- 

 veloper which is too strongly alkaline 

 or too warm, produces stain and fog. 



As soon as over exposure is noticed 

 in developing, check it immediately by 

 plentiful washing and finish with the 

 regular developer, to which has been 

 added bromide or old developer. An 

 under timed plate should be treated with 



a fresh, diluted developer. If suffi- 

 cient detail does not appear, take the 

 plate from the developer, and, without 

 rinsing, place it in a tray containing water, 

 to which a little of the alkaline solution 

 (sulphite and carbonate of soda) has been 

 added, and leave it there as long as it 

 increases in detail. If it is not then strong 

 enough, the development may be con- 

 tinued in fresh developer. 



To prevent sand or rust from striking 

 the negatives while washing, tie a piece 

 of cotton flannel over the faucet. 



Negatives exposed to white light be- 

 fore the bromide of silver is thoroughly 

 dissolved in the fixing solution will be 

 f°ggy. an d tne printing quality will be 

 injured. 



A solution of bromide of potassium, 

 one ounce of bromide to 10 ounces 

 of water, should be in every developing 

 room. When plates are a little over 

 exposed, a few drops of this solution 

 added to the developer will restrain its 

 action and may thus produce a good 

 negative from what would otherwise be a 

 worthless plate. 



Fog is caused by over exposure, white 

 light entering camera or dark room, too 

 much light during development, uncleau 

 trays, developer decomposed, too warm c r 

 containing too much carbonate of soda 

 or potassium. A slight fog can be re- 

 moved by the red prussiate and hypo 

 reducing solution. 



Weak negatives with clear shadows are 

 caused by under development ; too strong 

 ones, with clear shadows, by underexpo- 

 sure, or too strong developer. 



Weak negatives with plenty of detail 

 in the shadows are caused by over expo- 

 sure, or too weak developer. Add some 

 of the contrast developer to the normal. 



Developer being excessively strong or 

 too warm gives too much intensity. Nega- 

 tives dried in warm, sultry air assume 

 more intensity than when dried in a cool 

 place with draft. 



Using too stiff a brush in dusting plates 

 makes fine transparent lines. 



Round transparent spots result from 

 air bubbles in the developer. 



Transparent spots of irregular shape are 

 caused by dust. Keep the camera and 

 holder free from dust and brush the plate 

 carefully before placing in the holder. 



Yellow and brown stain or iridescence 

 of the surface is caused by decomposed 

 pyro solution, insufficient or decomposed 

 sulphite of sodium in developer; using 

 the developer warmer or stronger in 

 alkali than the plate will stand; also by 

 plain hypo solution, which by continued 

 use has assumed a dark color, or by in- 

 sufficient fixing. The stain may be re- 

 moved by applying the red prussiate and 

 hypo reducing solution and the iridescent 



