Deterioration Of Impossible Film

[Brian Moore]

Yesterday I noticed that the photo I had taken several days ago and posted here
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/forum/threads/sadie-by-spectra-silver-shade-cool.14966/
had begun to deteriorate. This was Successful Image #2 out of the Spectra, using Impossible Project's PZ 600 Silver Shade Cool. (I had posted Successful Image #1 in one of Rob's forum entries.)

Below is Successful Image #2 scanned within an hour after taking the shot.


And below is Successful Image #2 scanned a few minutes ago, some 4 days after I took the shot.


Comparing the two images the deterioration is most clear toward the top of the frame. In the first scan there is detail in the door; in the 2nd scan,...no detail in the door.

I was aware that some IP emulsions suffered from deterioration over time. I've read that it may be caused by moisture trapped in the emulsion. I think I will contact IP and ask if there is any way to salvage the image. (I doubt that there is, but I think I will lose the picture completely if I don't try something.)

By the way, Successful Image #1 also shows deterioration, although it isn't quite as obvious.

 

[Pete Askew]

Hmm, not so good. Definitely worth contacting them.

 

[Brian Moore]

On the IP website, @Pete Askew, they sell a "Dry Age Kit" which looks just to be desiccant and a sealable pouch. Basically you shut the images up in the sealable bag for a month. You can take the images out and look at them if you want.

$3.00.

https://www.the-impossible-project.com/dryage/

 

[Pete Askew]

One came with the 10"x8" film but, as I haven't used it yet, I didn't investigate.

 

[Pete Askew]

I'll make sure to check it out when I get back to the UK.

 

[Brian Moore]

One came with the 10"x8" film but, as I haven't used it yet, I didn't investigate.

Oh good.

Wish I'd known about the Dry Age Kits before. (I had seen them mentioned but I thought it was one of these gimmiky photo manipulation type accessories. Why they don't recommend it on their site where the film is for sale is beyond me.) Anyway, Pete, not knowing that you already possessed an 8x10 Dry Age Kit I sent you a link to one via PM earlier. You can just discard that now.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Brian, I saw them. I've just checked and a dry age kit is added to the order automatically for free when you order the 10"x8" film from Impossible directly, but not the 600 film..

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks Brian, I saw them. I've just checked and a dry age kit is added to the order automatically for free when you order the 10"x8" film from Impossible directly, but not the 600 film..

Good. (A few damaged Spectra images are much more palatable I'm sure than a damaged 8x10.)

 

[Pete Askew]

At $20 a shot you are most certainly not wrong there!

The SX70 film should be waiting for me when I get back too.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Man, that's some rapid aging!

 

[Brian Moore]

Man, that's some rapid aging!

Yeah, Chris. Right now the pictures reside in a sealed Tupperware dish with some rice.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

That's terrible. Sorry to read this thread, Brian. I hope you can save it. You have just sent me looking for Rhona's flowers shot using the Impossible colour film, PX680. We've kept it in an empty shoe box, and I can see no deterioration at all, but I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[Paul Lange]

What a shame Brian. Do you know what caused it?

 

[Brian Moore]

That's terrible. Sorry to read this thread, Brian. I hope you can save it. You have just sent me looking for Rhona's flowers shot using the Impossible colour film, PX680. We've kept it in an empty shoe box, and I can see no deterioration at all, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks, Rob. I believe the color films may suffer less, or even not at all, from this affliction.

 

[Brian Moore]

What a shame Brian. Do you know what caused it?

Thanks @Paul Lange. Apparently it is caused by moisture trapped under the protective top layer of the image. Some people recommend actually cutting into the picture from the sides to allow for evaporation. But I can't do that to my picture so, as I mentioned to Chris, the picture is currently sealed inside a Tupperware bowl with rice that I hope will absorb the moisture. (It's Basmati rice,...nothing but the best for oor Sadie.)

 

[Beth Carter]

too bad about the deterioration. i like how sadie looks like a ghost in the first.

 

[Brian Moore]

too bad about the deterioration. i like how sadie looks like a ghost in the first.

Thanks, @Beth Anthony. I'm glad I scanned the image right away. However, what saddens me most about it is that the original picture had the most lovely silvery quality about it. The scan doesn't do it justice. I was thinking about framing it. A little of that quality remains, but it's not like it was.