What went wrong?
My negatives look milky or cloudy
A milky, creamy or cloudy layer over the film after it dries.
Check this first
Is the cloudiness on both sides, or does it look like a surface deposit?
Likely causes
- 1.
Incomplete fixing
Common- How to tell
- A milky emulsion that doesn't wipe off. Fixer may be exhausted or the time too short.
- Fix
- Refix in fresh fixer under normal light; it's safe now development is finished. Then wash and dry again. Check fixer with a leader clip test: it should clear in under a minute.
- 2.
Mineral deposits
Occasional- How to tell
- A surface film that changes or wipes off the shiny base side.
- Fix
- Rewash, and use distilled water with wetting agent for the final rinse.
Avoiding it next time
- Clip-test your fixer before each session.
Go deeper
Other negatives problems
- My film came back completely clear
- My film came back completely black
- My negatives are thin and weak
- My negatives are very dark and dense
- 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 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.