Early Work In Photography
A Text-book For Beginners

34 Early Work in Photography. hold the tray in the left hand, and then put the lip of the graduate at the left end of the edge nearest to you. Then, drawing the graduate along the edge of the tray from left to right, allow the developer to flow smoothly in one continuous wave across the surface of the plate; in this manner the plate will be quickly and thoroughly covered with the solution, without the formation of air bells. As soon as the developer is on the plate, the dish must be gently rocked from side to side, and end to end, so as to cause a gentle movement of the solution. The image will make its first appearance in less than a minute, and will gradually gain vigor and intensity; if the exposure has been correct, development should be complete in about three minutes. If the image starts up instantly upon applying the developer, it is a sign that the plate has been exposed too long to light; the remedy is to expose another plate for less time. If the image fails to appear in two minutes you may be sure that tlie exposure under the negative has not been sufficiently long; therefore expose another plate for twice the time. These trials, when he knows why he makes them, and what to expect, tend to give a student confidence in the materials at his command. Supposing the image has come in sight gradually in about a minute after applying the developer: the action may be allowed to proceed for about another minute, and then it is advisable to examine the intensity of the image by looking through it at the yellow light. For this purpose the plate may be lifted (by its edges) from the developing tray and held between the eyes and the light. If the image looks weak, it is necessary to continue development; but if it looks dark, and full of detail, it may be rinsed and then fixed. In order that the student may form some idea as to the requisite density of the image, we advise him to examine the accompanying transparent positive under the same conditions as the plate he is de- veloping, that is, by looking through it at the yellow light. Of course some allowance must be made for the creamy opalescence of the plate he is developing, which will in- crease, to some extent, the apparent vigor of the image. We advise the student to make one or two trials that he may think incorrect; thus, carry development considerably farther than appears to be necessary, then fix the plate and judge of it by daylight. Stop development at the apparently correct time and fix the plate. A valuable lesson will be learnt by comparing the results;