stop bath

Stop bath is a chemical solution used in traditional photographic processing to halt the development of film or paper. After the development stage, the stop bath quickly neutralizes the developer’s action, preventing it from over-processing and ensuring consistent image quality. Usually acidic, such as acetic acid, it effectively stops the chemical reaction without damaging the image. Using a stop bath helps maintain the correct tonal range and detail in the photograph, making it a vital step in achieving a well-balanced and accurately toned print or negative.