You need a number of chemicals to develop your own film photos.
Today's digital technology makes it very easy to view and print your pictures. However, the interest in film photography still surfaces from time to time as people want to experience the more challenging way to shoot, develop and print pictures in film format.
When developing film pictures, whether using a black and white or colored negative, you always need the right chemicals and tools. The most important thing is to always make sure that the negative is never exposed to light, both before and during the developing process.
Instructions
1. Place your film canister, tank, and reel inside a darkroom, a black box or a changing bag. While a darkroom requires total darkness for the entire room, a black box or changing bag allows you to still be inside a well-lit room, as you place the necessary items inside the protective and light-free box or bag. The box or bag typically has two light-tight holes, which you put your hands through, into the bag or box so you can work on your tank, reel and canister without risking the film from exposure to light.
2. Remove the film negative from the canister that holds it by using a pair of scissors or cutter. Attach the film's end into the tab of the film reel, then wind the entire film there. Once done, put the reel inside the tank, then close the lid. Once the film tank is tightly closed, you can go out of the darkroom, or remove the film tank from the black bag as the film is protected from light.
3. Fill the tank with water through its light-tight top hole. This hole is located above the lid that protects the film reel inside from exposure to light. Let the film soak for about a minute, then remove the water.
4. Pour the developer into the film tank, then close its lid. The developer is a chemical used to process the film negative. Depending on the film speed of the negative, which is indicated on the film canister where it originated, allow the film inside the tank to soak in the chemical for the specified time. Although this typically ranges between seven to 12 minutes, the amount of time required depends on the exact type of developer and the kind of film used. Agitate the tank at regular intervals by flipping the tank over and over several times. The time interval for the agitation also depends on the type of developer and the kind of film used.
5. Remove the developer from the tank, then fill it with water. This process is called the "stop bath." Its purpose is to remove any chemical left in the tank. After shaking the tank for a short period, replace the water. Repeat the same process, then remove the water to finish the stop bath process.
6. Pour the fixer, another chemical used to process the negative, into the film tank. Agitate it again at specific intervals, depending on the instructions provided by the fixer's packaging. Usually, this process takes about five to 10 minutes.
7. Remove the fixer from the tank, then fill it with water for another set of stop bath. Pour out the water at the specified time.
8. Pour the final chemical called the wetting agent into the film tank. This helps prevent water spots when you are allowing the developed film to hang dry. Leave it in the film tank for about 20 seconds, then remove the chemical completely.
9. Open the tank and take out the reel. Unwind the processed negative from the reel.
10. Clip one end of the developed film and hang it to dry. This typically takes a few minutes. Once completely dry, cut the negative in sets of four to five frames each.
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