Page 28 - The Wellington photographic handbook

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solution for half a minute or so before the reading is noted. If the
temperature is not exactly either of those given in the above table
but something intermediate, an intermediate time should be given.
The time mentioned in each case is that which should elapse
between pouring on the developer and putting the plates in hypo,
as development does not cease as soon as the developer is poured
off and the plates are rinsed, but will be found to continue even
when the plates are placed in plain water.
Different workers have different views as to the precise density
that their negatives should possess ; different printing processes
call for differences in contrast, and some classes of subjects are
better for being a little softer or stronger than others. Portraits,
for example, are all the better for being thinner than landscapes.
The figures given, therefore, must be regarded as approximate.
They form a good guide for the beginner, since they at least indicate
much more correctly than he could hope to find out by examination,
when to stop development. The more advanced worker, who has
his own views as to the degree of contrast he should obtain, may
wish to develop for a little longer or a little shorter than the time
stated, and there is no reason why he should not do so.
Fresh developer must, of course, be used for each lot of plates.
The developing tank should be reversible. It is important to
reverse the tank after the developer has been acting for a minute
or two, and to divide the remainder of the time into three or four
equal parts, reversing the tank at the end of each period. If this is
not done, it may be found that there are streamers of extra density
proceeding from the thinner parts of the plate, and the negative
will be useless.
FIXING.
When development is finished, the plate should be rinsed for
a moment in clean water or under the tap and then placed in either
of the following baths :
FIXING BATH.*
Hvnr) 4 ounces 100 grammes
wSerto" ::: 20 „ 500 c . c .
* Before making up any jormula, read the notes on pages 125, 126 and 134.
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