What effect does underdevelopment of a film have?

Underdevelopment of a film occurs when the film is not exposed to the developer solution for a sufficient duration, or the developer solution is exhausted and cannot properly process the film. This results in an insufficient conversion of the exposed silver halide crystals in the emulsion to metallic silver, leading to a lighter appearance on the developed film compared to the intended image.

When a film is underdeveloped, the areas that should appear dark (representing areas of high exposure) do not convert appropriately, causing those areas to remain lighter than expected. Consequently, the overall image lacks the necessary contrast and depth, making it appear pale or washed out. Thus, the film will ultimately be light in appearance, demonstrating the typical outcome of underdevelopment.

In contrast, options indicating a dark film or clear film do not accurately reflect underdevelopment, as overexposure typically occurs due to excessive exposure to light rather than inadequate development.