HELP! Negative Defect

[Robert Kalman]

This 8x10 negative has an amoeba-like defect that I can't figure out. Here are the processing particulars:

• A total of 20 negatives were processed, 5 at a time.
• Each batch of 5 was processed in fresh HC-110 developer.
• The fixer was fresh
• I noticed the defect after removing it from the fixer, so I believe that rules out the washing cycle

In this negative, you can see the defect on the man's shoulder and below his waist. (The image has been made lighter purposely in order render the defect obvious.) Two other negatives show the same defect. One of them may have been in the same batch, but I know that the third negative was processed in a different batch. I didn't detect it on the other two negatives until I scanned them. The rest of the take's negatives are pristine.

Here are some closeups:



If the defect wasn't introduced during processing, I'm wondering if the holders are suspect. I had bought several used holders, and the previous owner had placed double-sided tape inside the holder in order to prevent buckling, I suppose. I removed the tape and rubbed off the adhesive. Perhaps there is a residue I can't detect, and the film has had some kind of adverse chemical reaction.

While I've only been shooting 8x10 for about a year, I've been a 4x5 shooter since 1989. I've processed several thousand sheets of film in 20+ years and this has never happened to me before.

Do you have any idea as to what may have caused the defect?

Many thanks!
Bob Kalman

[Kirk Gittings]

static electricity?

[Robert Kalman]

Hmm, hadn't thought of that, Kirk. It certainly has more of an electrical look than a chemical one. The darkroom had a relative humidity of 33%, which is quite low. Now I'm wondering, if that's it, when it could have happened. As I said, I've been working with sheet film for a long time. Do you think it could have happened when the dark slide was pulled, either in the darkroom or on location?

Thanks.

[Andrew O'Neill]

That is from static electricity. I had the same thing on a few negatives when I was shooting in Saskatchewan one summer. It's extremely dry there. Next time when you are ready to take a photo, pull the dark slide out very slowly, then reinsert very slowly after you took the photo.

[Robert Kalman]

Thanks for the confirmation that it's static electricity. And thanks, Andrew, for the suggestion about pulling the slide slowly.

I also asked Carl Weese what he thought, and he thinks it might be mold.

So, it definitely wasn't my processing; it could either be static or mold.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Mold? Never thought of that, but it is possible. Sure looks like static patterns to me.

[Daniel Stone]

reminds me of a miniature version of Hiroshi Sugimoto's "Lightning Fields" series:

http://fraenkelgallery.com/exhibitions/lightning-fields

-Dan

[Fred L]

Do these artifacts show up in the same spot on all the negs ? Are you by any chance using a finger or two and pressing down on the film to help move the film out of or into the holder when unloading or loading ?

I'd be inclined to go with mold but it also looks like static.

[Robert Kalman]

reminds me of a miniature version of Hiroshi Sugimoto's "Lightning Fields" series:

http://fraenkelgallery.com/exhibitions/lightning-fields

-Dan

Thanks, Dan. Sugimoto's image sure does resemble what showed up on my negative. I now realize that the slide gets pulled and reinserted four separate times: loading, unloading, exposing and post exposing. I'm definitely going to adjust the speed I perform the pulls and push backs.

Thanks everyone!

[Robert Kalman]

Do these artifacts show up in the same spot on all the negs ? Are you by any chance using a finger or two and pressing down on the film to help move the film out of or into the holder when unloading or loading ?

I'd be inclined to go with mold but it also looks like static.

Sometimes the film sticks when I'm unloading 8x10 from the holder and I do have to use more finger action beyond a simple pull to remove it. While I don't press down, I do have to run my finger along the edge to help it separate from the holder. Might that cause a static moment? (The artifacts on the three negs are in different locations.)

How do others deal with 8x10 film that won't easily slide out of the holder?