No, you cannot develop film in the light.
Developing film requires a completely dark environment because the film is highly sensitive to light. Exposing it to any light during the development process will ruin the latent image and the film itself. The process must occur in complete darkness to preserve the image that was captured when taking the photograph.
Why Darkness is Essential for Film Development
The film development process involves several stages, all of which must be carried out in darkness. Here’s why:
- Light Sensitivity: Photographic film is coated with light-sensitive chemicals, typically silver halide crystals. When light strikes these chemicals during exposure, a latent image is formed on the film.
- Chemical Reactions: The developing process involves using chemical solutions to convert the latent image into a visible one. Light exposure during this stage would create an uncontrolled reaction across the entire film, essentially fogging the film and rendering the captured images unseeable.
- Fixing: After development, the film is fixed to remove any remaining light-sensitive chemicals, ensuring the image does not degrade when exposed to light later. However, even the fixing stage must initially take place in darkness to prevent the light-sensitive chemicals from being reactivated before they are completely removed.
The Importance of a Light-Tight Environment
To ensure proper film development, you must:
- Use a light-tight developing tank: As the reference emphasizes, the tank must remain completely light-tight throughout the entire development process. This ensures no unwanted light exposure.
- Work in a darkroom or use a changing bag: You have to load the film into the developing tank in complete darkness. This can be done inside a darkroom or a light-tight bag called a changing bag. The film must remain in total darkness from the time it is loaded into the tank until after it has been properly fixed.
The Process in Complete Darkness
Here’s how the process is carried out in complete darkness:
- Loading the Film: The film is carefully removed from its canister and loaded onto a reel inside a light-tight developing tank while inside the changing bag, ensuring no light reaches the film.
- Adding Chemicals: Once the film is loaded, the developing tank is closed, and it becomes light-safe. The rest of the process can then be completed in normal lighting conditions. Developers and other chemicals are added to the tank through a light-tight opening.
- Developing, Stop Bath, Fixing and Washing: The film is processed through different chemical baths inside the developing tank according to the process instructions. The developing, stop bath, and fixing must all happen in the light tight tank in the correct time sequence. Finally the film will be washed to clear out chemicals.
- Unloading the Film: After the film has been fixed and washed, the lid can be removed, and the developed film is taken out for drying.
Practical Insights
- Double-Check: Before beginning, make sure your changing bag has no holes and your tank is properly closed.
- Practice: It is recommended to practice loading the film onto the reel in the light, with a test film, before attempting it in the dark for real.
- Proper Equipment: Ensure all your equipment is in good condition and light-tight.
