This is not a column dedicated for
seasoned analogue photographers. I will describe my own experience, how I developed
my first roll of film. This column is for those photographers who think that
analogue photography is something very difficult and complicated and that you
need a special equipped room for it. In fact it is not.
In the last column I described that I
was attracted into the analogue photography by finding my grandfathers camera.
It uses 120 format films. I bought some. I think it was Fuji Across. I enjoyed photographing
with that camera. And then, when film was exposed I was before dilemma. Where the
hack I could develop this film? In local quick labs they don’t develop B&W
films any more. So I informed myself how I could develop B&W films, what do
I need for doing that and then I made a decision that I will do it myself. In
the bathroom! I bought a developing thank
and borrowed chemicals needed for developing film (thanks to Vlado). You only
need two of them, developer and fixer.
The only thing the bathroom must not
have is a window. Primary requirement for developing film is that you have a
place with total lack of light. It’s needed when you open your camera and transferring
film into the developing tank. So I prepared a place for all the action (transferring
film from the camera in the developing thank) in the bathroom on washing
machine. I prepared chemicals, for developing agent you need some accuracy on
dosage and temperature, take a big breath and turn off the light. The most challenging
thing in developing a film is when you are putting film into the reel of
developing tank. Into complete darkness! You could do it into changing bag, but
you don’t see a thing also. You can rely only on your preparation, memory,
touch and skill. Practice is also helpful. I complicated for myself with couple
of 120 format film taped one after another. My first try to wound the film into
the reel was complete disaster. You could not turn on the light and see what
went wrong and then correct it. So, after two or three tryouts I succeed and then
put the reel into the developing tank. The lid was on and then I could open the
light. At last! Afterwards was easy. You simply put developer first, then you
wash out then you fix, and then wash again, open the developing tank and dry
the film... Ok. Now I’m on slippery territory. If you want (and you want it) to
have film developed OK, it’s not so easy after all. You need right dosage of
chemicals at right temperature at right time. You need to agitate properly...
and so on. But I succeeded.
Now what could I do with developed
film? I went to local quick lab to scan it. The result was disappointing. That’s
another story.
Matjaž
Matjaž
