REDUCTION.
When either reducing or intensifying is to be done it is desirable to use a freshly mixed hypo bath for fixing—otherwise stains may result and the negatives are liable to fade after intensification. If any negative is more intense than is desirable for the paper that is to be employed, it may now be reduced to the desired point in the Flow this solution over the negative to be reduced until the desired intensity is reached, after which it should be washed and dried in the usual manner.
If the bath works too fast with the quantity of water, add more water. Negatives may also be reduced locally by applying this solution (which should then be mixed with less water so as to work faster) to the part that is too intense, with a camel's hair brush or a tuft or absorbent cotton.
To reduce locally, lay the negative on a ground glass and have the light strike the glass from MOW so that the work may be done by transmitted light.
A frame made to hold the glass will leave the hands free for the work.
An incandescent electric light may be placed under the glass, or a mirror may be placed in the frame so as to reflect the light of a lamp up against the glass.
By adding only a very little water to the reducing agents the re duction may be made to act in a second or less and the worker, with a litde practice, can obtain by the quantity of water added just the strength or speed of action that is desired.
In reducing very small parts, have the sur face of the part, as well as the brush, free from excess of liquid, so that the reducer will not flow or run to adjoining parts ; have some wet cotton in the left hand to pass over the part as soon as the right intensity is reached.
If desired, a reduced negative may be intensified, after it is washed in three or four clean waters.