There are 2 big misconceptions when it comes to developing your own black and white film. The first is that you need a lot of equipment. The second is that you need a darkroom to be develop your film. I will dispel both of the misconceptions and show you how easy it is to get away from our digital world and explore the analogue world of film photography.
Equipment
You actually need very little equipment to develop your own black and white film.
This is everything you need to develop your own black and white film. A film developing canister (I really like the ones from Paterson), Chemicals for the development process ( I love Ilford’s Develop, Stop and Fix), some black and white film that you have exposed (Like Ilford Delta 100 or Kodak TMax 100), and a I highly recommend a film extractor like the Matin Film extractor. You will also need some other items that are easy to find anywhere like a thermometer, scissors and way to measure liquid like a graduate beaker.
Some places will sell starter kits with everything you need but you can probably find the Paterson tanks second hand on the used market. You will want to get new chemicals as all the chemicals have a shelf life. Once they are opened they have an even shorter life span and need to be used.
Darkroom
The second big misconception is that you will need to be in a darkroom to develop your film. When many people think about film developing they probably have an idea of a red light in a darkened space. However, you don’t need a darkroom and you don’t even need a red light.
You will need a dark space but only for a short amount of time. When you take the film out of the canister (this is where that Matin Film extractor is worth its weight in gold!) you need to be in complete darkness. No red light. No light of any sort. Once your eyes have adjusted to the dark you shouldn’t be able to see your hand in front of your face.
There are a number of ways to accomplish total darkness. I have used a bathroom which doesn’t have any windows and blocked out the light that may creep under the door. You really don’t want any light coming in because it will affect your film.
The other option is using a film safe, light tight bag like the Hoda extra large film changing bag. You put your film, scissors and the Paterson film developing canister in the bag, zip it up and then put your hands into the bag. Then you get the film out of the film cartridge and put it into the film developing canister, you can take it out of the light light bag. If you do it this way, you can actually be outside in bright sunshine! There is less space for you to work, you will have to do everything by touch and feel and you will need to purchase something extra, but it is another option.
While I could write out the steps of how to develop your film I actually think it is easier to see what I am explaining instead of read it. So I created a video of me taking you through the steps.
The magic of developing your own film is something that every photographer should experience. It really connects you to the images that you capture and it is easier than you might think.
