You just shot a roll of film in black and white,
and now it's time to get scientific!
[electronic music]
Like me, you're tired of bringing your film in to get developed,
and sometimes taking so long and so expensive.
So, it's time we take matters into our own hands.
As a photographer, there's no better feeling than seeing
an image that you shot and developed.
So today, I'm gonna teach you how to develop your own negatives in black and white.
[music]
Developing your own film can seem intimidating at first.
But once you learn the steps, it's nothing but fun!
Before we get started, let's talk about the tools and chemicals I have here.
To successfully develop your negatives, you need...
A reel for loading your film onto,
a developing tank,
developer,
fixer,
wetting agent,
graduates for measuring,
funnel,
storage bottles for leftover solution,
film clips to dry your negatives,
a thermometer,
and a stopwatch (or you can just use your phone).
Step one.
We wanna load this film onto this reel
in the total darkness.
If this is your first time,
sadly, you may want to sacrifice a roll of film
to practice in the light,
that way, it's easier once the lights are off.
But let me show you how to do it first.
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Once you get the hang out it, go into a dark room,
and I mean pitch black.
Or, get yourself an official changing bag to put your hands in.
Also have on hand a pair of scissors
to cut the film from the spool
and your tank to place your reel in.
Okay, your turn! Come back when you're done.
[in a French accent] A few moments later
Did you do it?
I'm so proud!
Now, let's head to the kitchen to figure out our measurements for our chemistry.
[music]
Here I have measured out my developer.
You should always check the bottle for the correct dilution
and underneath your developing tank
for the amount of chemistry that you need for your roll of film.
I'm using Iflord's DD-X developer,
and they suggest 1 part developer to 4 parts water
at 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
to equal out to 300mm of dilution
for your 1 roll of 35mm film.
Don't forget to use your thermometer on both water and developer!
[music]
In a separate mixing device, and easy to differentiate,
I have the same amount measured out for my fixer dilution:
1 part fixer to 4 parts water
at 68 degree Fahrenheit.
[music]
My first step is optional, but recommended:
I'm going to fill my tank
with regular water at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
And let it sit in there for 1 minute.
This helps bring your film to the temperature of your chemistry.
[music]
Now, quickly grab your developer and pour it in the tank.
Start your timer and agitate.
[music]
Once the 8 minutes are up,
let's pour it out into a storage bottle,
since this developer can be used again.
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Next, quickly add 68 degree water to the tank.
Empty it.
Add water again.
And agitate for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
This water bath helps to stop the development process,
but you can purchase your own stop bath chemistry
if you need to rapidly stop development.
But, for our purposes, water will work just fine.
Now, let's add our fixer.
I usually set a timer for about 5 minutes,
but with the same agitation process as the developer.
[music]
Once time is up, pour your fixer into a storage bottle,
and then we can open our lid and wash our film.
[music]
Fill and empty your tank 5 times
with 68 degree water from the faucet.
It's really important to make sure all the fixer is washed from your film.
[music]
Now, you're essentially ready to take your reel out.
But there's one last final step before we dry out.
Sometimes, your film will dry with water marks on it,
and to avoid that, I use wetting solution.
Add 2 drops of wetting agent
to about 300ml of water
or the amount for your reel size.
And add to the tank,
and let it sit for about 30 seconds, and pour out.
Now we can remove the reel out of the tank
and carefully remove the film out of the reel.
And attach 2 film clips to each end
to carefully hang to dry.
You should hang to fully dry for 2 or more hours
in a dust-free location.
I'm using the bathroom.
[in a French accent] One nap later
Wow, look at this! You developed your own film.
Virtual high five!
You can cut them into strips
and place them in a sleeve like this for safekeeping.
Are you wondering, "Now what?"
Let us know in the comments below
if you'd like to see how to get these onto a computer.
I'm Maria, and thanks for watching!
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