Influenced by circumstance

[Miles E Traysandor]

<!--QuoteBegin-Tavis+Mar 7 2004, 09:21 PM--> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' ><tr><td class='quotetop'><b>Quote:</b> (Tavis @ Mar 7 2004, 09:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quotebody'> I had done some black and white film developing before, but I haven't developed film since 1998, so I'm sorry if I might have gotten some details wrong. I have to say that film developing can be cause frayed nerves if you're not careful or fully prepared.<br><br>In total darkness, the film must be extracted from its container. In the case of 35mm film, the canister itself has to be broken open with a can opener and put onto a spool that could be immersed. The reel has to be struck underwater to remove air bubbles form the film so that the developer can operate on the entire surface of the film and it has to be stirred so that used developer at the reaction site on the film can be replenished by fresh developer in the agitation. The process itself requires timing and careful control of the temperatures. If the environment is too cold, the chemicals react more slowly and require a longer processing time. It helps to have charts that calculate time based on temperature and developer strength (it is shipped as a strong solution and must be diluted before use), and sometimes a timer can used, while others will have to count out seconds. In processing you can use a light-tight canister for developing the film, or you can simply stay in the darkroom and use an open bowl.<br><br>After the film is developed, you can take the spool of film out or pour the developer aside. Oh, by the way, were you thinking of using the drain? Used developer can be recycled, and in the developing process, it also contains small amounts of silver that was removed from the film, so there are several reasons why the drain is not a good place for it. The film needs to be either hit it with stop chemical (which has a strong ammonia smell) or simply rinsed off so that it does not continue to react with leftover drops of developer. Once the film is cleaned, it has to sit out to dry. Once the developing process is complete, it is safe to expose it to light.<br><br>Professional film processors have it easier. They can use a tape-like tool to pull the leader back out the opening and stick it onto a film processing machine. The machine will pull the film out by the leader, trimming off the canister. By having a better control over the variables concerning temperature and developing time, it makes the process somewhat easier. ultimately, the operator might want to fine-tune the process if he or she knows how much the film was exposed (sunlight or indoors, bright images or dark ones, whether the photographer attempted to "push" the film to a slightly faster ISO setting than its rating) The resulting film would be rinsed and dried before it is ready for print making. Also, before print making (and before the film is cut and returned to the film owner), it can be scanned to make a photo CD and to let another computer determine the ideal print exposure. Nice. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table> <!--QuoteEEnd--><br> I remember that process well from the Phototography class I took in high school... And yes, it does involve some cursing... I once lost a roll of undeveloped film in the dark room... I had to turn the light on to find it, and obviously the pictures were ruined... I had to take another roll of film...<br><br>I did quite well in the class, though... Maybe I should look into it as something on the side.

[Burning Sheep Productions]

Can't they supply some kind of night vision goggles or something?<br>One for every film developing kit?

[Tavis]

<!--QuoteBegin-Burning Sheep Productions+Mar 12 2004, 12:15 AM--> <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' ><tr><td class='quotetop'><b>Quote:</b> (Burning Sheep Productions @ Mar 12 2004, 12:15 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quotebody'> Can't they supply some kind of night vision goggles or something?<br>One for every film developing kit? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table> <!--QuoteEEnd--><br> Haha, no. Be aware that most night-vision goggles would need light to amplify. In total darkness, that simply isn't available. Well, I suppose some infrared goggles might work, unless the particular film is sensitive to that, too. With standard film, that wouldn't be an issue.<br><br>There are other ways besides working intotal darkness.. One is a light-tight bag that will allow you to transfer the film to a spool without being inside a dark room. Also, by keeping the spool in a canister, you can keep the film from being exposed while still being able do things like add developer, agitate the film, and even take it with you. Very convenient for claustrophobic people and those that may suddenly need a break to use the bathroom.