Unleash Your Inner Chemist: How to Turn Your Bathroom into a Film Development Lab
Alright, let's have some fun with film development!
If you're anything like me, the thought of developing your own film at home may seem daunting at first. You may be worried about getting the temperature and timing just right or ruining your precious roll of film. But fear not! With a little bit of humor and some helpful tips, you'll be a film developing pro in no time. I have been successfully developing my films (colour and black and white) for about 6 years now. After spendings hundreds of hours, developing hundreds of films, I’m sharing the secret from how to go from darkroom dabbler to film developing pro and how to avoid a developing disaster. This is Black and White film development exclusive.
The Supplies You Will Need
Before you can start developing your film, you will need to gather a few essential supplies. Here are some of the items you will need:
Film developer
Stop bath
Fixer
Photo-flo (optional) - A wetting agent
Developing tank
Darkroom (or changing bag) - A fully light sealed bathroom will do
Measuring cups and thermometer
Choosing the Right Developer
There are many different types of developers available, each with its own unique characteristics. Some developers are better suited for certain types of film or photography styles. Before you start developing your film, you should choose a developer that is appropriate for the film you are using and the look you want to achieve. Below you will see me sing praise to my favourite black and white developer of all time.
Rodinal
Rodinal is the black and white film photographer's best friend. It's like that one reliable friend who always shows up on time and knows exactly how to make you look good in every photo.
But what makes Rodinal so special, you ask? Well, let me tell you. For starters, it's a one-shot developer, which means you don't have to mix up a fresh batch every time you want to develop your film. And let's be honest, who has time for that? I barely have time to brush my teeth in the morning, let alone mix up some fancy developer.
But it's not just about convenience. Rodinal produces beautiful, sharp images with a unique grain structure that will make your heart sing. It's like having your own personal angel choir singing in your ears every time you see your images. And who doesn't want that?
And let's not forget about the versatility of Rodinal. Whether you're shooting 35mm, medium format, or even large format, Rodinal can handle it all. It's like that one friend who's always down for whatever adventure you throw their way. "Want to shoot some 4x5 today? Sure, let's do it!" Rodinal says with a confident smile.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about the price?" Well, Rodinal is one of the most cost-effective developers on the market. You can buy a litre of this stuff for less than the price of a cup of coffee and a cake. And let me tell you, that liter will last you a loooong time. You could develop a whole year's worth of film and still have some left over to make a DIY bubble bath.
But perhaps the best thing about Rodinal is the community that comes with it. Black and white film photographers around the world have come together to sing the praises of this beloved developer. It's like being part of a secret club where everyone knows the secret handshake and shares tips and tricks for getting the most out of their images.
Rodinal is not just a developer. It's a friend, a confidant, a reliable partner in crime. It's the peanut butter to your jelly, the Batman to your Robin, the cheese to your macaroni. So, go ahead and develop your film with confidence. Rodinal has got your back.
Did I mention, it does not have an expiry date? You can still use that Rodinal that you found in your grandma’s attic.
Preparing the Film for Development
First things first, let's talk about creating the right atmosphere for film development. If you're doing it at home, you'll need a completely dark room. This means no light leaks from windows or doors, and definitely no using your phone as a flashlight. Definitely take off your Apple Watch or any other smart watch that can emit light before opening the canister!
So, before you even start developing your film, you need to create the right mood. Put on some nice soothing music. If you're going to spend an hour in a dark room with chemicals, you might as well set the mood, right?
The first step in developing your film is to prepare it for development. To do this, you will need to load the film into a developing tank in complete darkness. If you do not have access to a darkroom, you can use a changing bag. The changing bag is a light-tight bag that allows you to load your film into the developing tank without exposing it to light. You can get one from Amazon.
Once your film is loaded into the developing tank, you can start the development process. There are plenty of YouTube videos that explain how to load a film in a dev tank.
A coupe of tips for loading
I recommend practicing plenty of times with a dummy film beforehand!
If you are opening the canister with a bottle opener, open on the flat side (bottom part) of the film canister.
While loading the film on to the reel, make sure the reel is not wet. If it is wet, the film sprockets starts sticking to the reel and you will experience resistance. This is a nightmare!
You have to cut the film that is attached to the spool of the canister. Dont forget the scissors.
Be slow and gentle with the film while loading it on to the reel. You might end up crushing and damaging the film sprockets otherwise.
Make sure you close the tank lid properly.
The Development Process
Now, let's talk about the actual development process.
Pre-wash: Begin by rinsing the film with water to remove any residue or dirt that may be present. This step is especially important if you have been shooting in a dusty or dirty environment. Dont be scared when you see dark green or purple liquid as you rinse. This is a chemical coating on the film plane that washes away.
Developer: Fill the developing tank with the developer solution and agitate the tank according to the manufacturer's instructions. The agitation process helps to ensure that the developer is evenly distributed throughout the film. The time you leave your film in the developer will depend on the type of developer you are using and the temperature of the developer solution. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to avoid over or underdeveloping the film. Alternatively, you can refer to Massive Dev Chart.
One thing to keep in mind is that film development is all about timing. So, if you're the type of person who always burns their toast, you might want to invest in a timer. Massive Dev Chart app is an absolute winner. It indicates clear processes like agitation, rinse, with acoustic tones for every individual film and developer with different dilutions. Trust me, it's worth it. And if you're still worried about getting the timing just right, try chanting a mantra like, "I will not overdevelop, I will not overdevelop."
Stop bath: After the film has been in the developer solution for the recommended amount of time, rinse it with stop bath solution to halt the development process. The stop bath is an acidic solution that neutralizes the developer, preventing it from continuing to develop the film. If you are using Rodinal, you could skip this step. Just make sure you rinse the tank at least 4-5 times. Rodinal washes away after repeated rinsing.
Fixer: The next step is to place the film in a fixer solution. The fixer removes the undeveloped silver halides from the film, leaving behind only the developed image. The time you leave the film in the fixer solution will depend on the type of fixer you are using, and it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to avoid underfixing or overfixing the film.
Final rinse: After the film has been in the fixer solution for the recommended amount of time, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove any remaining fixer. Failure to rinse your film properly can cause the fixer to remain on the film, leading to discoloration and deterioration over time.
Photo-flo (optional but recommended): The final step is to rinse the film with photo-flo solution to prevent water spots from forming during the drying process. Photo-flo is a wetting agent that helps the water on the film to evaporate evenly, preventing water spots and streaks. I use ILFORD Ilfotol Netzmittel 1000 ml Konzentrat.
Drying and Storage
After rinsing the film with photo-flo, hang it to dry in a dust-free area. Do not use a squeegee to remove the liquid off of the film plane. Just use your god given index and middle finger. Once the film is dry, you can cut it into strips and store it in protective sleeves. It is important to store your film in a cool, dry place to ensure that it remains good or you can put it between the magazine pages if you run out of sleeves.
Prepare for Mishaps
Of course, one of the biggest concerns when it comes to film development is ruining your roll of film. But don't worry, even the most experienced film developers have had their fair share of mishaps. I once accidentally froze my roll of film in the fridge (whole film canister was covered in thick ice) and thought all was lost. But after some quick thinking (and a little bit of prayer), I was able to salvage all of the shots by carefully washing the film and developing it. So, don't give up hope if something goes wrong.
The Reveal
And finally, the best part of film development: the reveal. There's nothing quite like the rush of excitement you feel when you first see your images appear on the developing paper or your computer screen while scanning. It's like a mini Christmas morning. So, don't be afraid to do a little happy dance or scream in excitement. You earned it!
Conclusion
In the end, film development is a lot like life. It's unpredictable, sometimes messy, but ultimately rewarding if you're willing to embrace the journey. And if all else fails, just remember the wise words of Bob Ross: "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents." Happy developing! The few little accidents along the way is all part of the adventure. So, go forth and develop some film, and don't forget to light those candles and put on some soothing tunes. And who knows, maybe you'll even discover a new talent for developing film that you never knew you had!