How to Create a Darkroom for Film Developing
A darkroom is a room made completely dark for the purpose of developing photographic film and other light-sensitive materials (such as photographic prints). Though many photographers have switched to digital photography, others still enjoy the tactility of darkroom processing and the image quality of conventional film. It's possible to develop some types of slide film in a home darkroom, in addition to negatives for black and white photography.
Film continues to be sensitive to light until it is developed and fixed. If it is exposed to light before chemical fixing, the film will go black. However, you don't need much equipment just to develop film.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Red 15-watt light bulbs
- Exhaust fan
- Developing chemicals
- Fixer chemicals
- Timer
- Clothesline
- Paper clips
Instructions
-
Instructions
-
1
Choose a darkened room in the house, like a bathroom or a closet. Preferably your darkroom will not have windows, and you'll use fabric, blankets or whatever is handy to stop up gaps between the door and the frame. No light should enter the darkroom. A sink in the room is helpful too, since you'll need water to develop film.
Install red 15-watt lights so that you can see what you're working on--these will have minimal effect on the film if exposure to them is brief. Also set up an exhaust fan to provide ventilation; the chemicals can get smelly. If an exhaust fan isn't possible, a regular fan will do but is not as effective.
-
2
Install shelves to hold your jugs, trays, film spools and other equipment.
Set up a clothesline with metal clips to hold the negatives once process is finished. If possible, have a separate small room for drying film negatives--it's important to keep as much dust as possible away from the negatives. You can also buy a canister of canned air to help clean the negatives.
-
-
3
Prepare your film developing canisters (these are also called developing tanks). They are available in metal or plastic; plastic is usually easier to load film on.
Take the developing tank apart and wash all parts with hot water before starting to develop. Wipe off any spots with a washcloth and dry thoroughly.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a darkroom to develop film in, you can buy an inexpensive change bag. Although it can be difficult to get the film on the reel while your hands are in the bag, you won't risk exposing your film.
References
- Photo Credit high resolution 3 frame film 35mm image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
