Lots of folks say pushing film is a good way to shoot in dim light. But when I do it, my negatives get too thin and the grain gets crazy. I tried it with Kentmere 400 pushed to 1600 and the shadows turned into a muddy mess. Now I just use a faster lens or accept a slower shutter speed for better results.
It's WILD how something that worked perfectly for thirty years just quit on me, reminding me that NOTHING lasts like it used to.
A lot of people in this community swear by following development times to the letter, but I think that can limit your creative results. Last week, I was developing some expired Fuji Superia and decided to cut the time short because the negatives looked too dark in the tank. The colors came out with a unique, muted tone that I really love. If I had stuck strictly to the chart, I would have missed that chance. Learning to judge the film by sight during development has opened up new styles for me. I'm not telling beginners to throw out their timers, but experienced folks should try trusting their eyes more often.
Everyone acts like stop bath is a must to stop development fast. I followed that rule for a long time but my negatives always had lines. So I switched to a quick water rinse and let it sit. Now my rolls develop with no marks at all. Why do we keep pushing a chemical that might not be needed?
I had this roll from a family reunion a while back. I always developed it quick but skipped on full drying. My scans came out with streaks and dust every single time. Last week, I hung it in the bathroom overnight instead of rushing. Woke up to see the negatives were totally clean and dry. Scanning them was so much easier and the pictures look sharp. It took me ages to learn that simple patience step.
After dialing in my temperature control, the negatives look great. I just can't figure out why there's a slight green tint in the shadows.
I used to follow my dad's handwritten notes, each step a precise ceremony. Today, with pre-mixed solutions everywhere, I miss the alchemy of creating something from scratch.