Learn how to develop film in a darkroom in this free photography video series. Lessons include tips on preparing a chemical bath, negatives, and other camera film developing techniques for photographers.
Learn about agitation of the film during development in this free photography video.
Learn about choosing a film developer in this free photography video.
Learn about cleanup, care, and maintenance of a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about drying the film after processing in this free photography video.
Learn about loading the film in the canister in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about loading the film on the reel in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about mixing powders in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about opening the film cassette in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about prewetting the film for developing in this free photography video.
Learn about processing sheet film in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about properly storing the chemicals in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about properly storing the developer in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about storing the negatives after development in this free photography video.
Learn about techniques for prewetting film in a darkroom in this free photography video.
Learn about the push-pull process in a film development in this free photography video.
Learn about washing the film after processing in this free photography video.
Summary: Ever wondered what went on in the darkroom and what that red light was for? Photographers have been using darkrooms for at least a hundred years to develop their film and make prints. Only recently has the digital medium somewhat supplanted film photography. Yet there still remain some photo effects that are, some would claim, most effectively produced in the darkroom; and some photographers swear by chemical baths and fixing solutions as the only real way to bring a photograph to light. Whatever your particular bent on the art of photography may be, learn how to use the darkroom as one of your tools for developing and printing beautiful pictures. Our expert will walk you through the step-by-step process for developing film, including removing the film from the cassette, loading it on a spool, using the proper agitation method, prewetting, and the push-pull process. He’ll also help you decide which developer to use, what powder, and how to store everything when you’re done.
Expert: Jeff Park has been a freelance commercial photographer since 1980. He has been the darkroom lab manager at Apertures Photo for the last nine years.