Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR JUNE • AM faults usually encountered by the beginning home processor are easily overcome, once understood, and creditable processing eventually results. ProceZHng, bugaboo^ and how to avoid them By CEORCE W. CUSHMAN w ..IJI.OVIE amateurs who have attempted home reversal of movie film know that although the process in itself is relatively simple, initial results are not always what they should be. With a little practice, however, and a careful check of all factors involved, better and cleaner work is ultimately turned out and eventually a creditable film soon becomes the result of an evening's pleasure in the darkroom. It shouldn't be construed that the first attempt at home processing nets unsatisfactory results — that the processed film will be yellowish, flat in tone, or full of streaks, although these frequently mark the amateur's initial efforts. The shortcomings of home processed film are easily recognized when the film is projected on the screen, but the cause and how it may be avoided may not always be understood nor readily determined from text books. Some of the most common home processing troubles can be explained by this writer who believes he has encountered most of them. Let's begin with those disappointing streaks. Streaking is invariably the result of a number of factors, the most important of which is the processor's habit of stopping .o tation of the film drum during development of the film. Once the drum (or reel, whichever is used) is placed in the first solution, it should be completely and continuously agitated until the final rinse is finished. Stopping the film only for a moment's inspection at some stage of the process allows the developing solutions to act longer on some parts of the film than others; allows "running" of the solutions on portions of the film not submerged; and permits uneven exposure of the room light. The answer to this problem is to keep the film moving throughout the entire reversal process. Another cause for streaks is solutions which have not been thoroughly mixed. Stir all solutions thoroughly, very thoroughly, before pouring them into the developing trays, otherwise solution strength may vary in different parts of the tray, ■. roducing uneven densities and streaks. The light-flashing method has frequently been blamed as a cause of streaks, but this has yet to be definitely established. However, without doubt better results will be obtained by turning the room light on as soon as the film has cleared in the bleach and leaving it on for the remainder of the process. Old solutions can also cause streaks. Cld solutions will sometimes have just enough "punch" left to work on the emulsion for a short time and then give out completely. If in this short period the action of the developer has not been even, streaks will result, and prolonged development will not correct the situation since the old developer is too exhausted to smooth out these streaks. Use only fresh solutions and fresh chemicals. By all means use a fresh bleach solution each time. Another cause of streaks can be eliminated ■. / pre-soaking the film in plain water. Plunging the film directly into the developer will cause it to work unevenly. Closely associated with streaks are stains and yellow smudges. Practically all yellow stains are caused by some object touching the wet emulsion before or during the bleaching process. Smudges usually turn out to be finger prints, nearly always caused by the overanxious worker picking up the film to see if the image has yet appeared. Let that enthusiasm wait until the film is projected! It is a temptation, but it's tetter than a film full of yellow smudges. Once the film is wet, don't touch it, or allow anything to contact emulsion until near the end of the final rinse. That these stains are caused in this manner can be easily proved by merely touching end of the film firmly with the finger once just before the film goes into the bleach. When dry, a yellow, unremovable stain will be found at this spot. When touched after the film has been cleared, uneven development will be found at this spot. If the film must be touched during development, handle it by the edges only. A most confusing result is obtaining a film that is too light or too dark. The beginner doesn't know whether to blame this developing procedure, or incorrect exposure. One way to get straight on this is to expose, prior to processing, a few frames of the film directly to the sky with the camera lens removed or opened to its widest stop. This exposure will make it possible to judge quality^ of the reversal job. The frames thus exposed should be absolutely clear with no veiling or coloration of any kind when processing is completed. The edges of the film should be opaque — almost jet black. If this extreme con• Continued on Page tj<^ 176