How to Develop Snow Negatives.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 20, 19 May 1906, Page 42

How to Develop Snow Negatives.

Snow photography is at once difficult and fascinating. Not the least difficult part is the development of the negative and the few hints below will be found very helpftil by the beginner. There are practically three classes of snow pictures, of which each one demands its own development and treatment: Class I.—Where an expanse of snow is relieved only by delicate shadows, or where the picture is taken .during a snow-storm, when all objects are rendered more or less indistinct and of a light tone by intervening particles of snow. For these, the exposure should be short, the rule being that short exposures increase contrasts, and in scenes of this description, contrast is what is needed. On a bright day, 1-100 of a second would be time enough. Very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon 1-25 of a second will give ample time. The development for plates in this class may safely be rather vigorous—that is, with a normal developer and the plate carried to a fairly good printing destiny. This method gives character to the high lights, and a pleasing richness to the slight shadows that are present on the surface of the snow. A pyro developer is good. Rodinal is a good developer for contrasts when used in these proportions: Rodinal, 1-4 ounce; water, 5 ounces; bromide potash; 10 per cent solution, 5 drops. The temperature of the developer should be kept from 05 to 70 decrees Fahr.

Class J?.— When dark masses ar# in the foreground, with the middle distance fairly open, and snow broken up—also when strong contrasts appear in the view between the snow and other objects —then a longer exposure is needed—• from one-tenth to a full second, according to the light. Use No. 8 stop. This class of pictures should be developed in a weak solution. A suitable metol hydroquinone developer is made as follows: Metol, 30 grains: hydroquinone, 30 grains; 20 ounces of water. Then add sulphide of soda (crystals) 1 ounce, and carbonate of soda (crystals) 3-4 ounce.

Take 2 ounces of this, and add 4 ounces of water when there are no very, heavy masses of dark in the foreground, and 8 ounces" of water when there are such masses. Be’fore using, add 1 drop of 10 per cent, solution of potassium bromide to each ounce of the solution.

Class 3 embraces snow pictures with figures, street scenes, skating and sleighing scenes, etc. Short exposure is required here because of movement. The correction must be made in development. The development of plates of this kind where there are dark objects and brightly lighted snow or ice in the view is practically the same as in No. 2.