Page 63 - The Wellington photographic handbook

No attempt must be made in developing prints to correct
errors in exposure. The solution must be poured on as afore-
mentioned, and if the exposure is wrong, then another print must
be made. If the exposure is right, development will be complete
in about two minutes. With good negatives and correct exposure
there is little likelihood of over-development, as at the right stage
the action of the developer seems to stop almost entirely. This
is especially the case with amidol. This stoppage of development
may be taken as an indication that the process is finished, but
should not be relied on to the extent of leaving the print in the
developer too long, or the whites of the picture will be degraded.
When the print is judged to be fully developed it may be
placed straight in the fixing bath without washing, although there
is no objection to a preliminary rinse of a few seconds.
It is well to mention here that a bromide print always looks
brighter and richer after fixation than it does when it leaves the
developer. The finished print, however, will appear darker in
the subdued light of the dark-room than in daylight. The beginner
should, therefore, fix his test prints and examine them in ordinary
light, bearing in mind that a slight darkening will always be notice-
able on drying. The print when wet should appear just a shade
too light.
DEVELOPERS.
Many developers are suitable for Bromide papers, and each
has its adherents. We recommend metol-hydrokinone or amidol,
but any developer suitable for Bromide work may be employed
successfully with the WELLINGTON Papers.
AMIDOL (DIAMIDOPHENOL) DEVELOPER."
Sodium Sulphite (cryst.) ... 650 grains 40 grammes
Amidol (Diamidophenol) ... 50 ,, 3
Potassium Bromide ... ... 10 ,, 0-75
Water to 20 ounces 500 c.c."
The sodium sulphite must be dissolved first.
It is often recommended to keep a stock solution of sodium
sulphite by itself, and to take some of this when wanted and add
the amidol. Long experience shows that this will not do, as amidol
* Before making up any formula, read the notes on pages 125, 126 and 134.
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