What went wrong?
My negatives are thin and weak
Images are faint, shadows are empty and clear, and scans look grainy and muddy.
Check this first
Compare the edge markings with another roll you know was developed correctly.
Likely causes
- 1.
Underexposure
Common- How to tell
- Edge markings are strong and normal, but the shadows have no detail. The highlights may still look reasonable.
- Fix
- Expose for the shadows: rate the film a third to two-thirds of a stop slower, check the meter against a phone app, and check the ISO setting.
- 2.
Underdevelopment
Common- How to tell
- Edge markings are faint too, and the whole roll lacks contrast, with weak highlights as well as shadows.
- Fix
- Check the time, temperature, dilution and agitation. Cold developer is a frequent culprit: below 20°C needs a longer time.
Avoiding it next time
- Use a thermometer and the temperature chart on each development page.
- If in doubt, overexpose colour negative film rather than underexpose it.
Go deeper
- Exposure Fundamentals →
- Light Metering Basics →
- Development Problems Troubleshooting →
- Development times by film →
- Push/pull calculator →
Other negatives problems
- My film came back completely clear
- My film came back completely black
- 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 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.