Preventing Dark (underexposed) Photos

Even if you expose an image perfectly, it is possible for the lab to ruin the image in processing. If you receive a bad photo from a lab, look at your negative. If the negative seems to be properly exposed (not overly light or dark) then try having another lab do another print. Hopefully it was only the print that the lab ruined. If your negatives are completely light or dark the negative is ruined.

Some of the more common lab errors are:

• Non C-41 process film developed in C-41 process
  
• Light contamination during processing
  
• Wrong film brand settings
  
• Too long or too slow processing time
  
• Old chemicals
  
• Contaminated chemicals