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Edited: Sep 06

Tips for traveling with film / photo paper

I'M VERY NEW to analog / film photography. I'm planning a trip to New Mexico in October, and want to take my Pinstra and photo paper (in a changing bag) with me. Are there any issues I should know about with taking unexposed and exposed photo paper (on my return) on the plane with me?

I assume that I don't want to 'expose' the photo paper to extreme heat, though some warmth is unavoidable.

I took my very new Pinstra to California with me a few months, both checking and carrying on the photo paper. When I returned home I developed my 20 or so images and most of them were failures: not just over or under exposed (which I was expecting), but there were almost no images at all (many completely dark or white)!

I strongly suspect the photo paper was unintentionally exposed to light at some point. But if there are other travel concerns, issues, tips ... I'd love to know about them.

Best, David.

6 comments

6 Comments

DeirdreM

Sep 30

I found this: https://www.ilfordphoto.ca/faq/. It looks like the paper is okay with carry-on scanners but not checked luggage

dkfreed

Sep 30

Replying to

Thanks. That is VERY HELPFUL. I was traveling - and plan to travel again - with photo paper, not film. I emailed Ilford to ask if the same guidelines apply for photo paper as they do for film?

If so, this might explain why almost all of my images failed: I checked them in my luggage for at least one of my travel directions, so they were exposed to the more powerful x-rays that Ilford recommends against.

If they have any additional info for photo papers, I'll be sure to share here.

Best, D.

Tim

Sep 06

There could be a number of issues, both exposure related, and development related. Extreme heat would not affect the image to that extent, you'd most likely get a mottled effect on the print.

How are you metering light?

What type of developer is it, and how long are you developing for?

Do you know the dilution and temperature of the dev?

The age and condition of the developer is a consideration, do you reuse the developer?

dkfreed

Sep 06

Replying to

Tim, I'm not asking about my exposure times or how I'm developing my prints or the condition or dilution of my chemicals. I'm specifically asking about what could negatively affect my prints or the photo paper when I'm travelling - especially by air.

Now that I have been playing with the Pinstra for a few months, I'm getting more consistent results - and if they are 'off' I generally know or can guess at the reason.

Tim

Sep 06

Replying to

Sorry, I misunderstood, I thought you were also asking what would cause images to be completely black or white.

dkfreed

Sep 12

Replying to

Sorry if I wasn't clear concerning what I was asking about. Do you have any tips, cautions, etc. about traveling with exposed and unexposed photo paper, especially by air?

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Tips for traveling with film / photo paper

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