Film Development Behavior: Fomapan 100 in Rodinal 1:50
In black-and-white film development, the effect of development time on negative density is well-established.
Longer Development Time: Increases the density of the negative by allowing more silver halide crystals to develop, especially in highlight areas. A denser negative blocks more light when printed or scanned, resulting in a darker image in the positive (after inversion).
Shorter Development Time: Reduces density, especially in highlights, producing a less dense (thinner) negative. This allows more light through, resulting in a brighter image in the positive.
Fomapan 100 Specifics: Fomapan 100 is known for building density quickly in developers like Rodinal, often requiring shorter development times compared to other ISO 100 films to avoid excessive contrast or highlight blocking. Rodinal 1:50 is a common dilution, typically used for 6–9 minutes at 20°C, with adjustments for higher temperatures like 28°C.
My Film Choices: Fomapan 100 and Ilford Delta 100
I rely on two films to capture the foundation of the "3D Look". Ilford Delta 100 for people, portraits, and lighter textures, and Fomapan 100 for everything else. And I mean everything. About 90% of the time.
1] Fomapan 100: This classic black-and-white film offers a versatile balance of contrast and grain. Its traditional grain structure captures fine details and textures, which are essential for creating a sense of depth. Fomapan 100’s affordability and robust performance make it ideal for experimenting with compositions that emphasize dimensionality.
2] Ilford Delta 100: A modern T-grain film, Delta 100 delivers exceptional sharpness, fine grain, and smooth tonal gradations. Its ability to render crisp edges and rich midtones enhances the perception of depth, making subjects appear to pop out of the frame. This film excels in scenes requiring subtle tonal transitions to convey three-dimensionality.
My Developer Choices: Rodinal 1:50 and Kodak Xtol 1:1
The developers I use are chosen for their ability to amplify the "3D Look":
1] Rodinal 1:50: This high-acutance developer is renowned for its sharp edge definition and pronounced grain. At a 1:50 dilution, it strikes a balance between sharpness and manageable grain, enhancing contrast and texture. This accentuates the film’s grain structure, making details stand out and creating a tactile, three-dimensional effect.
2] Kodak Xtol 1:1: Xtol is a fine-grain developer that maximizes shadow detail and tonal range. At a 1:1 dilution, it provides smooth gradations and excellent resolution, preserving subtle tonal shifts that contribute to depth. Xtol’s ability to retain detail in both highlights and shadows ensures a balanced, lifelike image that enhances the "3D Look."
The Caribbean Advantage: 28°C Room Temperature
Living in the Caribbean, my darkroom operates at a consistent 28°C (82.4°F), warmer than the standard 20°C (68°F) used in most developing charts. This higher temperature accelerates the development process, requiring shorter developing times to prevent overdevelopment. For example, with Rodinal 1:50, I reduce development time by approximately 20–25% (e.g., from 9 minutes at 20°C to 7–7.5 minutes at 28°C), and with Xtol 1:1, I adjust similarly.
These shorter times inadvertently enhance the "3D Look." The reduced development prevents excessive density in the highlights, preserving tonal separation and increasing local contrast. This amplifies the film’s grain structure and edge sharpness, particularly with Rodinal, making textures and details more pronounced. The result is an image with greater perceived depth, as the interplay of light, shadow, and grain creates a three-dimensional effect that makes subjects pop. The Caribbean’s warm climate, far from being a limitation, has become a secret weapon in my pursuit of the "3D Look."
If you’re inspired to experiment with these film and developer combinations, I invite you to try my personal approach.
To make the process easier, I’ve created a custom timer app tailored to my workflow, adjusted for the Caribbean’s 28°C darkroom conditions. But you can change temp according to your own. Check it out at https://that3dlook.com/timer/ and start crafting your own "3D Look" negatives!
Next my Image Scanning Process
My image scanning process in detail: I rely on a meticulous yet simple and time-efficient scanning process to achieve the "3D Look," transforming flat film negatives into dynamic, immersive compositions without ever using scanners...