Use of X-ray film: technical discussion with example images

Taken in a haunted house built in the 1870's, Shen Hao 4x5, super Angulon 90mm f5.6 about thirty seconds. Rotary dev R09 12 mins
Attachment 171741

I can see the ghosts.

I could feel the ghosts! There was a murder/suicide committed at one time, there is one bedroom that you can feel the weight of something. Gulp! going back next week to take some more pics

Attachment 171826

I've been reversal processing X-ray film, giving a big beautiful (if slightly blue) black and white transparency. This is single-sided Carestream.
Quickie formula:
First developer: Ilford PQ Universal 1:5 8 minutes@68 degrees F
Bleach: Potassium Dichromate in Sulfuric Acid solution
Clearing: Sodium sulfite
Re-exposure: 1 minute
Second Developer: Ilford PQ Universal 1:5 5 minutes@68 degrees F

Note scratches on this example! The bleach makes the emulsion softer and even easier to scratch. This example was tray processed, leading to scratches. Usually I tank process, which gives less problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vdonovan

Attachment 171826

I've been reversal processing X-ray film, giving a big beautiful (if slightly blue) black and white transparency. This is single-sided Carestream.
Quickie formula:
First developer: Ilford PQ Universal 1:5 8 minutes@68 degrees F
Bleach: Potassium Dichromate in Sulfuric Acid solution
Clearing: Sodium sulfite
Re-exposure: 1 minute
Second Developer: Ilford PQ Universal 1:5 5 minutes@68 degrees F

Note scratches on this example! The bleach makes the emulsion softer and even easier to scratch. This example was tray processed, leading to scratches. Usually I tank process, which gives less problems.

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Can you tell me the advantages of making a positive? Is this something akin to making solarized negatives, these look quite spectacular on the right subject and also require a second exposure.

There is no real advantage, other than that it is unusual. In fact, I find I get less control over the resulting image because the two developers both essentially go to completion. It's hard to control contrast, so I have to be more aware of contrast when shooting.

I mount these 8x10 transparencies in back-lit LED frames. They look quite beautiful with, as you say, the right subject.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vdonovan

There is no real advantage, other than that it is unusual. In fact, I find I get less control over the resulting image because the two developers both essentially go to completion. It's hard to control contrast, so I have to be more aware of contrast when shooting.

I mount these 8x10 transparencies in back-lit LED frames. They look quite beautiful with, as you say, the right subject.

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I once enlarged onto 4 sheets of 14x17" X-Ray, an image sized to the 4 panels. Hung in a backlit window. Only noticeable at night. No fade after a year.

Heck, I made an X-Ray positive print of a new clinic and gave it to my Doctor, who had no light box. As I found out...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vdonovan

There is no real advantage, other than that it is unusual. In fact, I find I get less control over the resulting image because the two developers both essentially go to completion. It's hard to control contrast, so I have to be more aware of contrast when shooting.

I mount these 8x10 transparencies in back-lit LED frames. They look quite beautiful with, as you say, the right subject.

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Randy I remember you displaying them on the thread, looks pretty spectacular.
I have just dusted off an old book called "Photographic Amusements" by Fraprie O'Connor, it has a section on BAS-relief, combining positives and negatives to produce a unusual and sometimes 3d effect. Seems a similar procedure you are doing

Supposed haunted house, though I never saw anything. Super Angulon, 14 sec exposure, F22, developed in RO9 12 min 1:150

:) I don't see anything either.