What does it mean to "cut Tri-X in half," and can you do it with 35mm film?
Asked 2/9/2018
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I saw a quote from Nicholas Nixon about Kodak Tri-X 320 where he says he "cuts it in half" to make the shadows richer, then "overexpose by one stop" and "under develop by 20%."
Does "cut it in half" mean rating the film at half its box speed (ISO 320 shot at ISO 160), rather than physically cutting the film? Is this basically pull processing, and how does it change shadow and highlight detail? Also, is this something that can be done with 35mm film?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
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He is using ISO 320 film and exposing it as if it were ISO 160. This is over-exposing the film by 1 stop. He's then under-developing the film by 20% off the normal development times recommended for shooting at ISO 320.
This technique is called Pull processing. Its reverse is called Push Processing.
In Pulling film, you overexpose the film and then reduce development time to compensate for that overexposure. In Pushing, things are reversed - you underexpose the film and then overdevelop to compensate.
There are recommended developing charts for just about every modern film and developer combo, pushed and pulled. Massive Dev Chart.
That being said, you really need to test things out to see if you like the result. In your case, Nixon really likes the shadow details of Tri-X pulled 1 stop and then developed at normal minus 20%. Will you like the combo? Maybe...maybe not.
Keep in mind the format as well as this changes things a bit. For example, I really like shooting Delta3200 at ISO 800 (pulled 2 stops) and developed in Rodinal 1+100 for 60 minutes - when shot on 120 film. However, the grain is just too much when using this combo with 35mm.
Do some more reading on Pull and Push processing and give it a go!
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
8y ago
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Yes — he means cutting the effective film speed in half, not physically cutting the film. Tri-X 320 rated at half speed would be exposed as ISO 160, which is 1 stop more exposure.
Then the film is developed less than normal to compensate. That combination is called pull processing.
Why do it? Extra exposure gives the shadows more density and moves dark tones out of the toe of the film curve, which can improve shadow detail and separation. Reduced development lowers contrast and helps keep highlights from becoming too dense, though too much exposure can still push highlights toward the shoulder and lose detail.
So the idea is: richer shadows, gentler contrast, and controlled highlights.
Yes, this can be done with 35mm film as well. The exact result depends on the film stock and developer, so testing is important. Some films have enough exposure latitude that pulling may be less necessary, but with black-and-white film it’s a common technique.
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