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How to Develop Film

Save money and become a more complete photographer. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom tutorial from a professional photographer.

Series Summary

As digital photography takes over, traditional film processing is gradually being phased out. No longer do people get the thrill of watching a photo develop right before your eyes in a darkroom. They just pull them up on a computer and there they are. But photographs printed the old-fashioned way are somehow still magical. The tones, especially for black and white photos, are much richer than those from digital images. This is the reason why traditional printing continues to have a stronghold in the art world. A job well done in the darkroom can't be beat!

In this series of free photography videos from our experienced photo printer, you will learn how to develop a roll of film. Anthony Maddaloni demonstrates the entire process, from opening a film canister and spooling the film onto a Hewes reel to squeegeeing and drying the film after developing. Learn about the benefits of a Hurricane film washer and using a steel lock Patterson reel instead of a plastic one.
Listing 1-19 of 19 eHow Videos
  • Tools for Developing Film

    Make sure you have a thermometer and a safelight for your darkroom. Learn how to develop your own film in this free photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Times and Temperatures for Developing Film

    The wrong temperature could ruin your film! Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Spooling Hewes Reel: Developing Film

    Tips for developing film in the darkroom. Learn how to develop your own film in this free photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Opening 35mm Can: Developing Film

    Don't overexpose film in the darkroom. Learn how to develop your own film in this free photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Opening Medium Format Roll: Developing Film

    Careful not to let light hit film in the darkroom. Learn how to develop your own film in this free photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Film Canisters for Developing Film

    Save time by developing multiple rolls of film at once in large canisters. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Starting Plastic Patterson Reel: Developing Film

    Plastic film reels are less expensive, but don't last as long in your darkroom. Learn how to develop your own film in this free photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Agitating Canister: Developing Film

    Keep the canister moving to get rid of air bubbles. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Washing Film: Developing Film

    Make sure to wash off all of the fix solution from the film. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Adjusting Developer Temperature for Developing Film

    Recheck developer temperature to make sure it says within specified range. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Mixing Developer: Developing Film

    The right mix of chemical is crucial to developing film. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Reusing Fix for Developing Film

    You can reuse your darkroom chemicals. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Adding Fix for Developing Film

    The fix solution makes your developer more permanent. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Squeegeeing Film: Developing Film

    Make sure to get all the water off of your film after washing it. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Drying Film: Developing Film

    Tips for drying off your film. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Hurricane Film Washer for Developing Film

    A film washer is a great help in cleaning your film. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Pouring Chemistry for Developing Film

    Measure your darkroom chemicals carefully. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Finishing Hewes Reel: Developing Film

    Develop film like a pro. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.

  • Stop Bath for Developing Film

    The stop bath halts the developing process. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom photography lesson from a professional photographer.