Developing Film
Developing film is really a fairly easy process, once you have the right chemicals and equipment. The following is a general description of how to develop black and white negative film.
You will need a light-proof changing bag, negative developing tank, scissors, bottle opener, film squeegee, thermometer, and a timer. The chemicals you will need include developer, stop bath, and fixer.
These items can be purchased from any photography supply store. The light-proof changing bag is a large bag that prevents light from passing through its material. This bag is used to transfer the film from the film roll to the developing tank. The alternative to using a changing bag is to do this in an absolutely dark room. Regardless of which way you do it, you will need to practice "loading" the developing tank with your film. I suggest you buy a cheap roll of film and use it to practice this process until you can do it with your eyes closed. Once your film is loaded in the tank and the lid is on, you are ready to develop!
You'll perform the remaining tasks in a sink. Turn the faucet on and adjust it to room temperature. Fill the developing tank with water and shut off the faucet. Agitate the tank according to manufacture's instructions then discard the water. This pre-washes your film to prevent air bubbles from forming during developing which could ruin your negatives.
Next, pour the developer mixture (check the temperature of your chemicals with the thermometer) into the tank until it is full. Agitate the tank and begin timing according to the chemical's instructions. Approximately 15 seconds before the timer is finished begin pouring out the developer.
Now pour in the stop bath. Use according to label instructions. Pour out the stop bath at the proper time interval. The final chemical to add is the fixer. Fill the tank with fixer and use according to label instructions. Pour out when done and rinse the film under running water for at least two minutes. Now remove your film and hang in a dust free environment to dry (you can also use the film squeegee to expedite the drying time).
Tags:
Film Development,
Photo Labs
|
