underdeveloped film
appearance: light
problems: inadequate developer time, developer too cold, inaccurate time or thermometer, depleted or contaminated developer solution
overdeveloped film
appearance: dark
problems: excessive developing time, developer solution too hot, inaccurate timer or thermometer, concentrated developer solution
reticulation of image
appearance: cracked
problems: sudden temperature change between developer and water bath
developer spots
appearance: dark or black spots
problems: developer comes in contact with film before processing
fixer spots
appearance: white or light spots
problems: fixer comes in contact with film before processing
yellow brown stains
appearance: yellow brown stain
problems: exhausted developer or fixer, insufficient fixing time, insufficient rinsing
developer cuttoff
appearance: straight white border
problems: undeveloped portion of film due to low level of developer
fixer cutoff
appearance: straight black border
problems: unfixed portion of film due to low level of fixer
overlapped films
appearance: white or dark areas appear on film where overlapped
problems: two films contacting each other during processing
air bubbles
appearance: white spots
problems: air trapped on the film surface after being placed in the processing solutions
finger print artifact
appearance: black fingerprint
problems: film touched by fingers that are contaminated with fluoride or developer
static electricity
appearance: thin, black, branching lines
problems: occurs when a film packet is opened quickly, occurs when a film pack is opened before radiographer touches a conductive object
scratched film
appearance: white lines
problems: soft emulsion removed from film by a sharp object
light leak
appearance: exposed areas appears black
problems: accidental exposure of film to white light
fogged film
appearance: grey lack of detail and contrast
problems: improper safe lighting, light leaks in darkroom, outdated films, improper film storage, contaminated solutions, developer too hot