Film Color Processing done in 30 minutes.
Ever wanted to do some DIY film color processing in your own home? When developing your own film, you are creating a full circle with your images and you are in control of the tones and shadows of the photograph. Last year for my senior thesis, I decided that I wanted to see everything come full circle, and decided to develop my own color film. Of course there is Photoshop at the end of the day to fix errors with film, but don’t you want to take credit for developing the film?
Let’s get started!
What you’ll need:
-Blacked out room/darkroom (convert your bathroom into a darkroom. Make sure there is good ventilation)
-Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder)
-Developing Tank
-Stainless steel container for mixing
-3 Mason jars to store chemicals (use blacked out jugs for best results)
-Thermometer
-Water (needs to reach 113 degrees)
The Tetenal C-41 Press Kit consists of one bag of powder for each color developer and bleach/fix. The kit is perfect for a photographer that is traveling and anyone that wants their chemicals to have a longer shelf life. These chemicals are fast mixing and quick processing with consistently excellent results. The Tetenal C-41 Press Kit will work with hand inversion tanks and in rotary processors. When developing my film, I use hand inversion tanks.
Mixing Notes:
-It is important to use water well above the temperature you want to use to develop your film. This will allow for shorter warm-up time.
-Stir continuously while mixing.
-Make sure to keep everything clean. Drops of blix, soap, or other contaminates can destroy the developers.
-Use tape to mark containers, you don’t want to get them confused!
-Use safety glasses and rubber gloves while working with chemicals. Do not allow children to use this kit without adult supervision.
Mixing Chemicals:
Developer
Place 800 ml of water at 110 degrees into a clean glass or plastic container. While stirring, add the contents of the packer marked developer. Stir well. Add water to make 1000 ml. Temperature may be adjusted +/- on this volume of water to make working solution come out at or as near to your processing temperature as possible.
Blix
Place 800 ml of water at 100 degrees into a clean glass or plastic container. While stirring add the contents of the packet marked BlixA and follow with Blix B. Stir well. Add water to make 1000 ml. Adding blix powder to water creates an endothermic reaction as it goes into solution.
Stabilizer
Add contents of bag marked Stablizer to 1000 ml of water in a clean container. Mix thoroughly.
Take a look at some photographs that were developed with C-41 Powder Mix, and don't forget to show us your outcome!
