Photo Journalism 4(1+3)

Lesson 15 : Processing of Film in Conventional Photography

Steps

There are several development processes that can be used to develop the photographic film. Most of these methods only differ in the containers used to carry the chemicals but more or less use the same chemicals in the actual process. There are several processes like the tank method or the tray method for film development. Here is the description of the tank method for development of photographic film:

1. Step One
   This is the pre-soaking stage. Put some water in the tank; soak the film for a few minutes. The time for which you need to soak the film will differ with the size of the film. After the soaking, pour the water out.

2. Step Two
   The developer has to be diluted with water according to the standard measurements and then poured into the tank. The diluted developer should now be poured into the tank carefully to completely submerge the film. Once the developer is poured, start the timer and close the push-cap on the tank. Shake the tank by flipping it over for ten seconds after every minute. As the timer rings, pour out the used developer down the drain. Always remember that soaking the film in the developing solution is a crucial stage and the timing for which the film has to be soaked in the solution has to be accurately followed.

3. Step Three
   Use the stop bath solution (acetic acid) as a stop bath. Fill the tank with the stop bath solution, shake it and pour out the contents. Repeat the procedure twice.

4. Step Four
   The Fixer helps to fix the image on the photographic film. Pour the fixing solution in the tank and shake it for ten seconds after every minute. Continue the fixing process for five to ten minutes and rinse the rank after that.

5. Step Five
   Once the fixing process is over, the film can be safely exposed to light. Unscrew the top of the tank and take out the reel. Now fill the tank with fresh water and shake it for half a minute and pour the water out. Repeat this procedure for the following ten minutes. Make sure there are no remnant traces of the fixing agent, since that ruin the entire process.

6. Step Six
   Pour a small amount of wetting agent into the bottom of the tank and fill the tank with water until the reel is submerged. Make sure to shake the bubbles off the surface of the film and leave the solution for 30 seconds. After that, pour the contents out and take out the reel. Do not by any chance rinse the film now.

7. Step Seven
   Lift the film off the reel and allow it to unfurl. Make sure that it doesn’t touch the ground or anything else. Hang it up for drying for 4 to 8 hours so it has sufficient time to dry and harden.