How to Develop Film From a Pinhole Camera

When you develop sheet film from a pinhole camera, whether it's made from a shoebox, paint can or oatmeal box, you need to master steps that roll film cameras don't require. Follow these steps for successful pinhole camera film development.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Developer
• Stop bath
• Fixer
• Sheet film developing tank
• Film clips
• 3 opaque chemical containers

Putting Film in the Light-tight Container

1. Open your pinhole camera and, in complete darkness, remove the film after the exposure. For complete darkness, use a room with no windows or windows covered with black opaque fabric.

2. Turn off any night lights and block stray light from the door frame to avoid fogging the film as any accidental exposure to light damages the picture.

3. Place the film in a light-tight container such as an empty sheet film box. Place the film in the first of the three box lids, cover with the second lid and cover again with the third box lid to avoid any stray light reaching the film.

Prepare for Sheet Film Developing

4. Turn the room lights on and prep for film developing. Start by mixing developing chemicals according to manufacturer's instructions.

5. Switch the lights off in the darkroom and place film in the developing tank.

6. Pour developer into the tank over film.

7. Follow manufacturer instructions regarding length of time for development and agitation based on film type.

8. Empty developer into opaque chemical container and pour stop bath into the developing tank for 30 seconds.

9. Drain stop bath from tank and refill with fixer following manufacturer's directions for time and length of agitation. Fill an empty opaque chemical container with the used fixer from the developing tank.

10. Remove the developing tank lid and rinse film with running tap water for 20 to 30 minutes before hanging negatives to dry with film clips in a dust safe area.

Tips & Warnings

• The film developing process is a technique used for any film camera. Most cameras act as the light-tight container for the film. The trick for the pinhole camera comes between the film's first exposure and actual film development. Manual management of this process is necessary.
• Get comfortable transferring film from the camera to the empty film box by attempting trial practices in the light.