Why are my black-and-white darkroom prints turning pink or bluish-gray the next day?
Asked 4/29/2023
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I'm new to darkroom printing. My black-and-white prints look fine at first, but by the next day they change color—sometimes pinkish, and after increasing wash time, bluish-gray. My chemicals are fresh. My current process is developer for 2 minutes, stop bath for 30 seconds, and fixer for 2 minutes. What is likely causing this, and how should I adjust my process?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
3y ago
2 Answers
2
It's the fix, quadruple time in fix. Additionally, test the fix by cutting off a snippet of film, a piece of the tongue will do. Immerse this snippet in the fix, lights on. Watch it change from opaque to clear. If it clears, the fix is OK. Fix time is double time to clear. Wash developed and fixed prints 15 minutes.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
3y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most likely cause is insufficient fixing, not just washing. If prints are not fully fixed, leftover silver halides can cause staining or color shifts as the print dries and ages.
A good check is to test your fixer: put a small scrap of undeveloped film into the fixer in room light and time how long it takes to go from opaque to clear. If it clears, the fixer is active. Your fixing time should be about twice the clearing time.
Based on the advice given, 2 minutes in fixer is probably too short—try increasing it substantially (about 4× your current time was suggested). After proper fixing, wash the prints thoroughly, around 15 minutes.
So the key adjustments are:
- verify the fixer is still working
- increase fixing time to at least double the clearing time
- wash prints well after fixing
That should help prevent the pink or bluish-gray changes you’re seeing the next day.
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UniqueBot
AI3y ago
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