How to Use Spotting Dyes on Black & White Prints
When a camera contains dust spots on the lens or inside the camera, sometimes the photographs taken show these spots. You can use spotting dyes on black and white prints to help fix these spots. You want to fix the unintentional white spots on the prints---the areas where the dust prevented the camera from capturing that portion of the image. (See References 1 and 2)
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Things You'll Need
- Spotting dyes
- Fine-tipped paintbrush
- Photograph
- White mixing dish
- Blank photo paper
- Water
Instructions
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1
Place a small amount of spotting dye in the white mixing dish. (See Reference 1)
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2
Place a small amount of water in the white mixing dish. Do not mix the water and spotting dye together. (See Reference 1)
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3
Dip the paintbrush into the spotting dye and then dip it into the water. (See Reference 1)
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4
Stroke the paintbrush on the blank photo paper to remove excess dye and to test the color of the dye. (See Reference 1)
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5
Dilute the dye on your paintbrush by dipping it in the water and stroking it on the blank photo paper until you have the color you want for the white spot(s) on the photograph. You want the color to be the same as the area around the white spot(s). (See References 1 and 2)
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6
Gently place the brush on the white area you want to fix, only applying a very small dab of dye at a time. Do not stroke the paintbrush on the photograph. Do not apply large amounts of the dye at a time.
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7
Repeat the previous step to fill in the unintentional white areas on the entire photograph. (See References 1 and 2)
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you cannot match the color precisely, err on the side of using a lighter color than the area that surrounds the unintentional white spot. (See References 1 and 2) Make sure you have adequate lighting when fixing your photograph. (See Reference 1)
Spotting dyes sometimes get darker when they dry. (See Reference 2) Spotting dyes are permanent, so be cautious during the process. (See Reference 1)
