My negs are always perfect for my printing techniques (Those who do darkroom work know exactly what I mean <LOL>). Some of my older negs hoover big time, and I had lots of trouble printing them, and still do in some instances. I got a 645 neg from Bruce Dayton some time ago and couldn't get a decent print from it (unless I cropped out the overexposed white sweater that was fried because of flash use and over development). But I hear what you're saying - it's tricky at times, easier other times.
One technique I use is to work with several developers, or a developer mixed at different strengths and used at different temperatures, and applying it to some areas with a Q-tip, rubbing with my fingers, a small sponge, and even throwing a print against the wall while chanting an old Yiddish curse (which, unfortunately, is untranslatable). Shel > [Original Message] > From: William Robb > You just haven't run into a neg that has left you totally bamboozled the > second time around. > I've only had it happen a couple of times, both times when using specialty > papers that may not have had the best QC regarding their curves. > The temperature of my house might vary more than yours too. > > I'm pretty anal in the darktomb about making notes, especially when I am > running a neg that is both a bugger to print, and one that I want to be able > to get a repeatable result from. > Mostly, it works out, but there are no absolutes in this world. > > William Robb > > >
