What went wrong?
My negatives are very dark and dense
Negatives are dark and hard to see through. Highlights are blocked and scans look flat or grainy in the bright areas.
Check this first
Compare the edge markings with another roll you know was developed correctly.
Likely causes
- 1.
Overexposure
Common- How to tell
- Edge markings look normal; only the image areas are dense. Common with a slow shutter or the wrong ISO setting.
- Fix
- Check the shutter speeds and the meter. Colour negative film tolerates a lot of overexposure; B&W and slide film tolerate much less.
- 2.
Overdevelopment
Common- How to tell
- Edge markings are heavy too, and contrast is high, with highlights blocking up.
- Fix
- Check the time and temperature. Warm developer speeds development: above 20°C needs a shorter time.
Avoiding it next time
- Keep developer at the temperature the time was given for, or use the temperature chart.
Go deeper
Other negatives problems
- My film came back completely clear
- My film came back completely black
- My negatives are thin and weak
- There are streaks or flares of light on my photos
- My negatives have uneven streaks or patches
- There are spots on my negatives
- There are water marks on my negatives
- There are long scratches along my film
- My black and white negatives have a pink or purple tint
- My negatives look milky or cloudy
- My negatives have a cracked, crazed pattern
- There are small crescent-shaped marks on my film
- My colour photos have a strong colour cast
- The edges of my 120 frames are fogged
Last checked October 2026. Seen something different? Tell us.