Deciding on paper development time

[Hans Berkhout]

I use a few different paper developers, sometimes mix them in different ratios. Not sure how to determine the preferred developing time. Suggestions appreciated, thanks!

[Jac@stafford.net]

Paper development time is largely of a completion process. Short times result in muddled tones, longer times fog.

[koraks]

Develop until the image stops changing. Unless you want ver warm tones and reduced contrast; then back off on development a bit.

[Huub]

Take a negative with good shadow detail. Make 5 test strips of the shadow area and develop those for 1 min, 1.5 min, 2 min, 3 min. and 5 min. This will tell you all you need to know.

[Hans Berkhout]

Take a negative with good shadow detail. Make 5 test strips of the shadow area and develop those for 1 min, 1.5 min, 2 min, 3 min. and 5 min. This will tell you all you need to know.

Thanks Huub. I'll follow your advice, but with a 4x5 Stouffer step wedge in the enlarger. That should tell me about mid- and high tones as well.

[John Kasaian]

I use an old Kodak Exposure Guide. I believe Delta manufactures a copy these days.

[Willie]

I use a few different paper developers, sometimes mix them in different ratios. Not sure how to determine the preferred developing time. Suggestions appreciated, thanks!

With what you post - WHY are you using different developers? WHY different ratios?
Go with one, learn it in and out and change only if you find you can honestly get a "better" image with the change. A "better" image where you can actually see an improvement or difference that is important to you.

Until then you are wasting your time experimenting.

[koraks]

From time to time the argument of "stick to one film/developer/camera/etc" pops up, but it always confuses me. Knowing that experimentation is essential in the process of learning, what is to be gained by eradicating it from our practice?

[Andrew O'Neill]

It's a good argument. That's why.

[Louis Pacilla]

It's a good argument. That's why.

Yep!