Weird shadows on negatives.

[kvanderlaag]

A little while ago, I shot with two models. I developed some of the film I shot (this particular roll is from my Agfa Karat, HP5+) and was a little disturbed to find that, in addition to being nice and grainy and dense -- quite frankly, ugly -- that there also appear to be shadows of other parts of the roll exposed onto the film.

HP5+ in D-76 stock, 7 1/2 minutes development time, Kodak Rapid Fixer (Hardening)

The only thing I might guess is that the film got fogged by the little bit of light from the crack under the door while I was loading it into the reel. I'm just hoping that it wasn't something in my development technique -- can anyone confirm or deny from these samples?

 

[w3rk5]

Hi kvanderlaag. This is of no help to your question but I think those shots look kewl.

 

[kvanderlaag]

You know, sometimes the best help is a little positive feedback. Thanks! I'm not out to win awards or anything, so hey, if anyone likes it at all, that's good!

I'm thinking very much that it is a result of loading the film in a bathroom that wasn't quite devoid of light. I'm used to doing it with slower film (ISO 100ish) and I haven't noticed these problems, but having ISO 400 film silhouetted against a light source, faint though it might be, could well have created this problem.

Maybe I'll scan up the rest of the roll, touch them up a bit for grain and contrast, and see what surreality ensues.

 

[jlw]

I'm thinking very much that it is a result of loading the film in a bathroom that wasn't quite devoid of light. I'm used to doing it with slower film (ISO 100ish) and I haven't noticed these problems, but having ISO 400 film silhouetted against a light source, faint though it might be, could well have created this problem.

That would be my guess as well. It's unlikely to have occurred in the camera, because the film shadows are so misaligned with each other. But a little light leaking into the darkroom during film loading would produce marks that look exactly like these.

 

[back alley]

try a towel by the bottom of the door next time or load the reels at night.

i do both.

 

[pvdhaar]

These pics as sooo seventies.. I'm getting flashbacks! Really cool indeed 😎

Oh, and you didn't leave the (red) darkroom light on did you? I mean, paper will not expose under that light, but film can't handle it.. Just thought I'd ask..

 

[Nick R.]

Open up the back of your camera and while looking through the lens from the rear trip the shutter at the highest speed and smallest f stop opening. You'll notice how little light gets through, and yet that's enough to expose the film. Now compare that to the gobs of light that spills in under a bathroom door. If you can see any light in your darkroom, you're exposing film. Buy a changing bag if you can't make your room light tight.

 

[kvanderlaag]

That's an interesting way of looking at it, Nick. Thinking of it that way, it really puts things in perspective.

I knew I should've gone for the blanket against the crack of the door!

Round two tonight, then!

 

[AGN]

Hang a piece of black corduroy material over the entire door. Use some hooks at the top so you can put it up and take it down easily. This will stop the light from all four edges. When I built my darkroom, I used adjustable light strips on all edges of the door, with a baffle on the bottom. As the door changed shape through expansion and contraction, it was a constant adjustment nuisance. I then used the material mentioned, and placed it on a swinging arm. It works perfect.

If all else fails, send the model to me for a re-shoot. 🙂

 

[BrianShaw]

Posing hint

Posing hint

Aside from the weird shadows I liked the pictures. But here's a suggestion: next time ask the model to hold her hands a little lower... about 8 to 10 inches lower. Or... have her hold her hands behind her head.

 

[kvanderlaag]

Both are good posing suggestions, Brian! (In fact, I think I have a few shots from other rolls, and off the D50 (sacrelige) with both of those poses.)

Interestingly enough, the door in the bathroom I use to load film slides in a pocket, so all but that bottom edge have the equivalent of a light trap. That should make the blanket/pillow/other big soft object at the bottom of the door effective.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! I'll do another roll tonight and see if I have the same problem. (Unfortunately, that was my only roll of HP5!)