Stand development, and when it is worth it
DarkroomVery dilute, very long, barely agitated. Useful, not magic.
The method
A highly dilute developer, an hour or so, and almost no agitation. Developer exhausts locally in the dense highlight areas while continuing to work in the thin shadows, which compresses the overall contrast.
What it is good for
Scenes with a range wider than the film can hold — interiors with bright windows, harsh midday light. It buys you shadow detail without blowing the highlights.
What it costs
Uneven development is a real risk: bromide drag, streaks, and mottling in even tones like skies. One gentle agitation partway through mitigates it without undoing the effect.
Honest summary
A tool for specific problems rather than a default. If your scene fits within normal contrast, normal development will give a cleaner negative.