Fixerhärdnings

Fixerhärdnings is a Swedish term that translates to "fixer hardening" or "fixer cure" in English. It refers to a process where a photographic fixer solution, typically used in traditional film and print development, is intentionally modified to achieve a different effect. In standard photographic processing, fixer's primary role is to dissolve unexposed silver halide crystals, making the image permanent and insensitive to light.

However, in fixerhärdnings, the fixer is often combined with other chemicals or subjected to altered conditions to induce specific changes in the developed silver image. This can involve adding substances that interact with the silver particles, leading to alterations in their structure or density. The resulting effects might include increased contrast, altered tonal range, or even a subtle shift in the image's color or perceived texture.

This technique is not a standard part of commercial photographic processing but is more commonly explored by artists and experimental photographers. It falls under the umbrella of alternative photographic processes, where photographers manipulate traditional methods to achieve unique artistic outcomes. The exact composition and process for fixerhärdnings can vary widely, as practitioners often develop their own proprietary formulas and techniques based on desired aesthetic results. The understanding and application of fixerhärdnings require a good knowledge of photographic chemistry and its interactions with the latent image.