Fogging, also called fog, is the creation of an overall veil of density on a photographic negative or print that does not form part of the intended image. It can occur either through exposure of the light-sensitive material to stray light or through chemical reactions during processing.
Fogging reduces contrast and can obscure fine details, impacting image quality. It is important for photographers working with film or traditional printing processes to control light exposure and chemical handling to minimise fogging, ensuring that negatives and prints maintain clarity, sharpness, and accurate tonal reproduction.