Film Developing
Once you have a properly exposed negative you are ready to develop the film. The process of exposing the film creates a latent image that becomes visible only after the development process occurs. For our purposes here, we will be discussing the development of black and white films. Most photographers have color films processed by a professional film lab.

Materials Checklist

• Chemicals: Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer, Washing Aid, Wetting Agent
• Developing Reel or Sheet Film Hangers
• Developing Tank
• Film Cassette Opener
• Film Drying Clip / Clothespins
• Graduates / Beakers
• Scissors
• Temperature Control Tray
• Thermometer
• Timer

The Process
The film manufacturer supplies a time and temperature chart with each film. The chart, like the one below, indicates the manufacturer's recommended development times for several different developers and temperatures. The development process begins with preparation of the chemical solutions.

It is important that all of the developing chemicals are the same temperature. The easiest way to maintain their temperature is to place the bottles in a common water bath. Add hot or cold water to the tray as needed until the desired temperature is reached.

Loading the Film
Next, the film must be loaded into the developing reel. This portion of the process must be completed in a light-tight area or film changing bag. Remove one side of the film cassette with the film cassette opener or a bottle opener. Remove the film from the canister and and trim the end with a pair of scissors.

Hold the film in one hand and the developing reel in the other. Attach the squared-off end of the film to the clips in the center of the reel. Allow the film to slowly unravel from one hand as you wind it into the reel in the other hand. Place the reel into the development tank once the film has been wound entirely onto it. Attach the lid securely. The tank is now light-tight and the room lights may be turned on again.

Developing the Film
It is critical to develop a particular system for developing film. Consistency is essential for obtaining reliable results when testing films or developing any role of film. Fill the tank with developer and start the timer. Once the timer has started, tap the tank on the counter a couple of times to dislodge any air bubbles that might be in the tank.

Begin your cycle of tank inversions. Invert the tank once per second for five seconds. Let rest 30 seconds and repeat. Continue this pattern until approximately 5 seconds before the end of the development time. Poor the developer out of the tank. One-shot developers should be discarded. Other developers may be reused and should be returned back to the developer bottle.

Fill the tank with the stop bath. The tank should be full as the timer sounds. Agitate the tank continuously for 30 seconds. This will completely stop the developer from acting on the silver-halide crystals in the film. Poor the stop bath out.

Now fill the tank with fixer. Agitate the tank continuously for 30 seconds. Continue to agitate the tank once per second for 5 seconds every minute. Repeat this process for 3 to 5 minutes, or as instructed on the film data sheet. At the end of the fixing cycle the film is no longer sensitive to light. Open the tank and wash the film.

Wash the film for 20 to 30 minutes to completely remove all of the developing chemicals. A washing aid can be used to reduce the amount of washing necessary. Empty the tank completely every 5 minutes during the wash cycle. When the wash is complete, use a wetting agent to reduce the likelihood of water spots when drying.

Remove the film from the reel and hang it to dry. It will take approximately 1 to 2 hours for it to dry completely. A weighted clip attached to the bottom of the film will prevent it from curling. When the film is dry, cut it into strips of 5 or 6 frames and store in archival sleeves.


By J.D. Brasesco