What am I doing wrong

[Cathald]

Hi guys I started to do a few wet prints in the darkroom this morning
They are very faint and hard to make out
The test strips came out ok but then when I got sorted out to do a proper print they are all very faint
Any ideas what I am doing wrong

Cathal

 

[raathistle]

I know this sounds odd but you arent reading the test strips the wrong way are you? I did this when I first started thinking the lighter side had the longer exposure:nuts:

 

[Cathald]

Could it be that I have a colour head on my enlarger and just set the colour dials to zero

 

[snowy]

The critical issue is what did you change between doing the successful test strip and the unsuccessful print?

Maybe you could explain in more detail what your setup is. ie. colour or B&W; if B&W are you using multigrade paper or single grade; if multigrade are you using the correct filtration; what time/aperture gave you the correct test strip exposure; are you moving the enlarger head up or down before doing the final print; etc.?

 

[chivers67]

If they're faint and the test strip was ok and the chemicals were used at a similar time then the negative needs more exposure under the enlarger or the lens needs to be opened up a little depending on the f stop?

 

[Steve Smith]

Could it be that I have a colour head on my enlarger and just set the colour dials to zero

If you are using variable contrast paper then you will want to adjust the magenta and yellow to suit the contrast grade you want. Start around grade two or three. However, with all controls set to zero, the paper will be around grade two so you should still get a good image.

Are you using the same paper for the test strip as you are for the final print?

If so, then you are not exposing for long enough.

I don't always do test strips but I make test pieces. I cut a piece of paper into 2" squares and place one on the easel. With the lens stopped down a couple of stops I will expose a square of paper for about 30 seconds then process it.

Too light? - Longer exposure next time. Too dark? - Shorter exposure next time.

After two or three goes it should be right. Then I put a whole piece of paper on the easel and expose and process it.

Obviously this method requires a bit of experience to know where to start.



Steve.

 

[Cathald]

Thanks for the replies guys
I think I know what I did wrong
There was a bit of time between the test strip and the final image
and the temp of the chemicals cooled a fair bit but I did not allow for
this when it was in the developer and took it out to early,I will give it another go tomorrow........Ok not tomorrow...Its St Patricks day and I might have a beer....or 2

Cathal