arhphotographic

Part of the appeal of using film cameras is seeing the whole process through from image capture to developing. When I first started thinking about doing Colour home developing I was informed by many that it was difficult. However I have found it to be just as rewarding / disappointing as capturing the image. Here’s why.

I use the Tetenal C41 chemicals to develop my colour negative film. They come in liquid form requiring the addition of water to make one litre of each chemical, Developer, Blix and Stabiliser. These are stored in plastic containers in a cardboard box with the rest of my developing equipment. I have labeled both bottle and lid so there’s no confusion.

At the kitchen sink in an old washing bowl I place the three containers and half fill the washing bowl with warm water. The objective is to warm the chemical to 30 degrees C.

Meanwhile, I remove the two films that I am going to develop from their containers. This is done in the changing bag. I have found that using a bottle opener works a treat in opening the film containers. The film leader is snipped off and the film placed on the film reel. Using a ratchet mechanism the film is loaded onto the reel. Both films are then placed in the developing tank and secured with the lid. It’s amazing what you can do when you can’t see what you are doing.

The developing tank is filled with some warm water and left for 5 minutes. The chemicals have by this time reached their operating temperature.

Developer 8 minutes

First the developer is carefully poured into the tank and agitated for one minute then left for a further minute.

Then I perform four inversions of the developer tank at one time. This is repeated a total of four times, each a minute apart. The tank is left to stand for the remaining time.

When the full 8 minutes has passed the developer is placed back into the container and place to one side out of the way.

Blix 6 minutes

The Blix is poured into the developer tank and again agitated for one minute.

As I did with the developer I perform four inversions at one time and repeat four times each with a minute apart. The tank is then left to stand until the 6 minutes are up. The Blix is then poured back into its container and put to the side.

Rinse 6 minutes

The tank is then filled with warm water, between 30 and 40 degrees C, and emptied repeatedly until the 6 minutes are up.

Stabiliser 1 Minute

Stabiliser is poured into the tank which is then agitated for one minute. The stabiliser is then poured back into it’s container.

And now for the moment of truth……..