washout problems

[cameratos]

I use a contax G1 and shoot in a highly contrast enviroment in the tropics.I get washouts where strong light areas while perfect on the other side of the frame its perfect.It is consistentently like that in the 3 rolls I have shot

my question is can the developing of the film have anything to do with my washout problems.I develop the negatives with D76 Can that be a factor other than exposure metering? I use the ILFORD 400 and Fuji Neopan 400. I follow the time recommended for each brand.Is there a way of pushing so I even out?

 

[venchka]

Expose for the shadows.
Develop for the highlights.

 

[charjohncarter]

This is what I do in high contrast lighting: TMax400 at 200, Rodinal 1+50 for 10.5 minutes (30 seconds initial agitation, then 3 inversions per minute), then 500ml of water plus 5ml of borax let it stand for 5 more minutes, stop, fix, clear, dry as normal.

OR
TriX at 250 in HC-110h:

 

[cameratos]

if I push the tmax to 250 as you did and I use the D76.How long would my dev time be?

 

[venchka]

High contrast subjects require OVERexposure and UNDERdeveloping. The classic "PULL" processing as some call it.

Which Tmax are you talking about? If you wish to overexpose at 250, better start with Tmax 400. The Massive Development Chart should list Tmax 400 at 200 and a time for D-76.

 

[Doug]

To simplify a bit, the upshot is that you can address the washouts (overly dense areas of the negative) by reducing developing time. We each have to work out the methods that work best for us; a published recommendation is simply a good starting point. Good luck next time and have fun!