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

[Tri Tran]

Xray film work here is looking good, keep it up ! Check the back side of the film for the density if you develop by inspection.

[photoevangelist]

Xray film work here is looking good, keep it up ! Check the back side of the film for the density if you develop by inspection.

Interesting comment. I'll try this tomorrow. Thanks!

I did portraits tests again today with no filter, yellow filter, green filter, and blue filter - male and female. 8 shots. I'll be in the darkroom again all day tomorrow. Will be ready to start taking pictures for the project on Monday.

[Corran]

Looking forward to your tests Lee! Great project idea also.

So I mentioned printing that shot a few pages back for a competition/show...well here it is! With me poking out my head for a bit of scale! It's a huge print - 34x27 inches, on metallic paper, matted to a full 40x32 size. Very happy with it. Sorry about the tint on the right, it's my wall reflecting off the plexi:

[photoevangelist]

Looking forward to your tests Lee! Great project idea also.

So I mentioned printing that shot a few pages back for a competition/show...well here it is! With me poking out my head for a bit of scale! It's a huge print - 34x27 inches, on metallic paper, matted to a full 40x32 size. Very happy with it. Sorry about the tint on the right, it's my wall reflecting off the plexi:

Gasp!! Is this a darkroom print or printed from a scan? This is gorgeous either way!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this. I really hope you win!

[Corran]

Thank you! Nope, it's an ink print from a scan. I don't have an 8x10 enlarger, nor do I have paper this big. But I am impressed with how good it came out in tonality and detail!

[Randy]

Looking forward to your tests Lee! Great project idea also.

So I mentioned printing that shot a few pages back for a competition/show...well here it is! With me poking out my head for a bit of scale! It's a huge print - 34x27 inches, on metallic paper, matted to a full 40x32 size. Very happy with it. Sorry about the tint on the right, it's my wall reflecting off the plexi:

Bryan, who did the printing?

[Michael Graves]

Can somebody offer a little help to the old and feeble? I've been through this thread and seen several comments about, yes you do strip the back emulsion, no you don't strip the back emulsion...but I don't get it.

What is the advantage of stripping the emulsion, and how do you strip just the back emulsion without stripping it all? Forgive me if this was answered somewhere in here, but I went through the whole thread and didn't find it.

[Corran]

Bryan, who did the printing?

Local guy here in Valdosta. He only just acquired a big Epson 9600 printer from a business that closed its doors. I did kinda help him along with the computer operation to make sure things went smoothly. This worked out better than sending it out due to the size. He also mounted it directly to a mat board so it was ready to go.

Can somebody offer a little help to the old and feeble? I've been through this thread and seen several comments about, yes you do strip the back emulsion, no you don't strip the back emulsion...but I don't get it.

What is the advantage of stripping the emulsion, and how do you strip just the back emulsion without stripping it all? Forgive me if this was answered somewhere in here, but I went through the whole thread and didn't find it.

You can or can't, it doesn't matter, but regardless you need to shoot and develop with your process in mind - stripped negatives lose half their density so keep that in mind. I strip mine and fine it sharper that way. And according to our alt. process folks, you can't strip do to density range issues with those processes.

Tape the negative down and be careful with the bleach and you won't get seepage to the other side. Use a brush of some sort. I use bleach diluted 1:1, that seems to work much easier.

[Michael Graves]

Thanks, Bryan. I intend to order a box of film just to play with. I'll probably stick to HP5 for my regular shooting--at least until I master the X-ray. But I'm dying to try this.

[photoevangelist]

Did my color filter tests today, but the majority of them are drying on racks for the weekend (school darkroom is closed on weekends).

Here are a few new ones:

Jang, Ha Ryeon by Lee Smathers, on Flickr
8x10 Korona, 12" Dagor (no filter)
Fuji HR-A (High Speed Green Sensitive Xray), Rodinal 1:50, 4 min.
Fomabrom Variant 111, Dektol 1:2, #1.5 filter


Park, Hong Chul by Lee Smathers, on Flickr
8x10 Korona, 12" Dagor (no filter)
Fuji HR-A (High Speed Green Sensitive Xray), Rodinal 1:50, 4 min.
Fomabrom Variant 111, Dektol 1:2, #1.5 filter