Push and pull development in analogue photography: a guide
In the world of analog photography, push and pull processing provide photographers with a way to flexibly adapt their films to different lighting conditions and creative requirements. These techniques are particularly valuable when shooting under challenging conditions or when aiming for a specific visual effect. In this article, we take a detailed look at what push and pull processing are, how they work, and when you should use them.
What are Push and Pull Processing?
Push Processing refers to the process where a film is deliberately overexposed and then overdeveloped to increase its sensitivity. This means the film is treated as if it has a higher ISO sensitivity than its actual rated sensitivity. For example, an ISO 400 film could be exposed and developed as if it were an ISO 800 or even ISO 1600 film.
Pull Processing is the opposite. Here, a film is underexposed and then underdeveloped, meaning it is treated as if it has a lower ISO sensitivity. For example, an ISO 400 film could be exposed and developed as if it were an ISO 200 or ISO 100 film.
How Does Push Processing Work?
When you choose push processing, you need to underexpose your film, meaning you use a higher ISO setting than the film's rated sensitivity. During development, you extend the development time to compensate for the lack of light during exposure. This results in higher contrast and more pronounced grain, which can create dramatic effects, especially with black-and-white films. Push processing is ideal when shooting in low-light conditions where you cannot extend the exposure time or use a tripod.
How Does Pull Processing Work?
In pull processing, the film is overexposed, meaning you use a lower ISO setting than the film's rated sensitivity. During development, you shorten the development time to compensate for the excess light. The result is a softer image with lower contrast and less pronounced grain. Pull processing is particularly well-suited for shooting in very bright light or when you want to reduce the contrast in your image.
When Should You Use Push or Pull Processing?
The decision to use push or pull processing largely depends on the shooting conditions and the desired aesthetic results.
• Push Processing is useful in low-light situations, such as indoor photography, night scenes, or concerts. It can also be used if you prefer a rougher, high-contrast look.
• Pull Processing is recommended for shooting in very bright light, such as sunny landscapes or beaches, and when you want to soften contrasts for a gentler representation.
Conclusion
Push and pull processing offer photographers a powerful tool to flexibly adapt their films to specific shooting conditions and gain greater creative control over the final result. Both techniques, however, require a good understanding of the development process and a sense of the desired effects. Mastering these techniques opens up new creative possibilities in analog photography.
Example photo (Push +1 stop from ISO 400 to ISO 800)