[LargeFormat] Removing black spots from prints

[Vincent Dobson]

I did at one time have this problem until I changed my loading regiment -
since then, no problems.

I have air piped (air compressor w. filter on line, not canned air) to my
loading station.  The air hangs directly over and as I close the darkslide
with one hand  (I have a jig that holds the flap ready to receive the slide
end), With the other hand I direct a continuous stream of air onto the film.
When I load in my travel trailer (or anywhere I don't have the Air
compressor) use a travel tank (like they sell for emergency flat tire
inflating) with a short hose - set the valve on the tank for a barely
trickle of air.  This builds up to full pressure in the hose so that when
you direct the air, it comes out in a short high pressure blast as you slide
the darkslide to poof any dust off the film, then after you let go, it
builds up pressure for the other side.  Using this I've loaded 40 holders or
more with 1 7 gallon tank of air.  You can get this recharged at a local gas
station or inflate it with one of these cheap air compressors that run off
the cigarette lighter.

As far as your current situation I'm not sure, perhaps add wings and pass
them off as a flock of crows?  All kidding aside I've not corrected mine
since they were inconsequential and since I started using the above method,
I've no shots with that problem.  But I think that it would be hard to
bleach an area that small without overflow into the other areas and
subsequent touch-up would show, especially in the sky.  I would go the touch
up the negative route.  This is a much easier option that would only have to
be done 1 time.  You would only need to build up density in that one small
speck area.  You would go until the spot appears white on the print, then it
would be a small and easy touch up on the print.

My 2 cents, since you asked.  I hope this helps.

Vince Dobson
Visions In Nature
www.VisionsInNature.com

:>-----Original Message-----
:>From: largeformat-admin@f32.net [mailto:largeformat-admin@f32.net]On
:>Behalf Of Wilkes, Don MSER:EX
:>Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 5:12 PM
:>To: 'largeformat@f32.net'
:>Subject: [LargeFormat] Removing black spots from prints
:>
::>appear in a
:>large, smooth area of uniform sky...
:>
:>Does anyone have experience in dealing with this sort of problem?  I don't
:>want to retouch the neg itself -- it's fairly important to me -- so I'm
:>thinking the route to follow will likely be bleaching and (probably)
:>subsequent spotting.
:>
:>God, I hate dust...
:>
:>\donw in Victoria, B.C.
:>
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