How did you learn to develop?

[Bobonli]

I've been looking at a lot of B&W lately, admiring the personality that different films and development methods have. And reading that do-it-yourself developing is not brain surgery. I'm thinking about giving it a try.

What are the space requirements? I have two small kids, so I'll have to secure the chemicals. I only have kitchen and bathroom sinks, no "slop" sink. Will any of the chems be harmful to the sinks?

And how did you learn to do it? By reading & practicing or did someone show you?

Thanks

[Ljós]

Hi,

you can easily do your own developing with the infrastructure you mentioned. The chemicals you will be using will not be harmful to your sinks. You have to keep your kids away from the chemicals, but then you already have a secure place for the household chemicals (cleaning stuff etc.) that your kids are not supposed to drink, either.
A harder logistical problem could be a safe place to dry your film. You want it to be as dust-free as possible, and it needs to be undisturbed for a minimum of, say, four hours. Many people use their shower/bathroom with success, hanging the film after the room has been steamed up a bit, which helps take the dust out of the air. However, if you have family members that need to access that room, this could be tricky.

I say go for it. Sometimes it is a hassle, but I would not miss developing my own film for anything in the world!
All the best, Ljós

[glchua]

Reading books and forums. I have 4 kids with one still a toddler. It's easy to do once started. Go for it!

[alaric]

For developing films, you don't really need that much space. You just need a room that could be completely blacked out for just a few minutes to load the film into the reel or one other option would be to purchase a changing bag. But for printing, you need enough space to fit an enlarger and in most cases, a bathroom is large enough. In other words, I think you've got enough space.

As for the chemicals harming the sink, I don't think it could ruin your sinks in any way. After years of developing, my sinks are just fine.

You could try searching this forum and reading articles about developing. It's really easy that you don't need someone to show it to you. In my case, I just learned from reading books. Hope you enjoy your venture into BW processing.

[bmasonoh]

High school. Of course that was way back when schools had enough money to fund elective courses. It not only taught me the fundamentals but showed me a world outside my limited experiences.

However, I re-learned developing some twenty years later when I joined this forum. It's a wonderful resource filled with people willing to share their knowledge.

[gb hill]

I bought a book years ago by Tom Grimm called "The Basic Darkroom Book" I still use it to this day because I'm still learning! I also went to the library & checked out other books ro read. I found the library is a great place to get books on B&W film developing because those old books are so timely for the beginner. As books on many subjects become outdated those old books printed during the 60's & especially the 70's are excellent & all you really need to get started! All you need is a kitchen or bathroom sink. I use a changing bag to load my film but some prefer a darkroom. The best way to learn is trial & error so get started & see how easy it is!

[35mmdelux]

Kodak Black-and-White Darkroom DATAGUIDE. Covers it all.

[Chris101]

I learned in my basement in the 1960s with a kit made for teaching the process (photography was considered a science back then.) These days I recommend that people check out their local community college to see if they offer a film based photography course. It'll teach you the process of developing, printing, critique and in many cases a bit of history and theory as well.

[Fawley]

I learned in our high school camera club (from other learners) and I learned to do a lot of things wrong. I gradually learned the right way by reading books. The Tom Grimm book previously mentioned is good, but there are others (David Vestal, Ansel Adams, Henry Horenstein) and there is nothing wrong with owning more than one because everyone teaches a little differently. Photograpic chemicals won't harm porcelain sinks, plastic or copper pipes etc., but they will cause tiny rust pits in stainless steel if you don't wipe up after and you let chemical spills dry on the surface.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I learned by taking a high school photo class. To load film on the reels, a changing bag can be used in normal room light, so you do not need a darkroom unless you plan to also print at home. I no longer have a darkroom, I scan my films. I develop in the kitchen sink, it is a stainless steel sink, chems won't hurt it. They might stain a painted sink. Clean up after your done with lots of warm water and soap so you don't leave toxic stuff on the counters or in the sink to get in your food when you wash dishes or cook.

[imokruok]

For black and white, go to the Ilford website. They have a PDF on doing your first black and white development at home. This is what got me started, and I supplemented the info with tips from Ansel Adams' book on development. (I think it's "The Negative" in his series.)

I only used one-half of a double-basin kitchen sink, so you're totally fine with the space you have. Plus, some B&W chemicals (HC110 developer, for instance) are fairly non-toxic, especially after they've been diluted. Just make sure to check before you buy if that's a major concern. Freestyle Photo posts the MSDS sheets on their product listings online.

Within three months after getting successful at black and white, I was doing color C41 and six-bath E6. For that, you would need a double-basin sink, or one sink and a counter where you could put the hot water bath. Also, the chemicals are a bit more toxic, but safe if you take proper precautions. (gloves, safety glasses.)

It ends up being much easier than you think once you work through everything a few times, and I've never mucked a roll of film due to developing error. The worst part, in my opinion, is spooling film, and that's where a lot of people get frustrated. I tried stainless steel reels, but I use all plastic reels now and it's so much easier. Make sure to practice in daylight with a cheap blank roll before you try on a roll that you shot. And if you don't have a light tight room, you'll need a changing bag.

Here's that Ilford link: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=31

[Juan Valdenebro]

I learned in person with another photographer. You can learn everything in one day. You don't need space at all... Any kitchen or bathroom with running water, and a changing bag. Tank, reels and thermometer.

Cheers,

Juan

[Gazzah]

I was in school in the early 70s. We discovered an unused and forgotten darkroom. So we formed a camera club and started to use the room, the initial idea was that it would be great retreat from the teachers, but several of us got more interested in the photography than in playing cards.
The room had cupboards full of Ilford chemicals,paper and film, all long out of date. We used it anyway and got passable results.
We wrote to Ilford and told them about the newly formed club and they sent a guy around with a van load of fresh chemicals and film. He spent an afternoon a week for several months with us, showing us the "right way" to do things.
From what I understand when my year left the school the darkroom was locked up and never used again.
I went digital in the late 90s, until about 2 months ago when I ditched most of my digital gear and bought into rangefinders. Never been happier !
I am only now starting to get back into the "wet" side of photography, and plan on converting part of my loft into a darkroom.
It is so much fun, so easy to get usable results I wonder why I stopped !

Gary H

[t.s.k.]

I learned in college in the 80's. My older brother tried to teach me in the 70's but I was young(er) and stupid(er) back then.

A few points to consider on top of what's already been said. I use a large plastic tub with lid to store chemicals and also for a water bath to maintain temps. Be careful about rapping the side/bottom of your sinks. Instead you'll probably want to do it against your other hand. Also, Corian may stain or dull, although I have no personal experience with it. I only mention this seeing how plastic tanks look after a couple years. Some (many?) would recommended to look into silver recovery for the fixer, especially if aren't hooked up to municipal sewer lines. There are other environmentally cautious measures suggested here and elsewhere that are easy to find but silver recovery seems to elicit the most discussion. But that's for another thread.

Have fun !

[goodtimes]

I learned at the air force academy and by reading books, in particular one from Jean-Loup Sieff & Chenz called "La Photo".
Nowdays I use a second bathroom in my house.
You have to develop your own technique. I suggest you use a foot switch for your enlarger and a loud and noisy chinese 2 $ clock as a reference , that leaves both your hand available for other duties.
For film processing SS reels and tanks are a must, they simply never fail.
Limit your chemicals and learn them, note everything in a little notebook (I'am talking about paper here, forget electronic notebooks !)
keep all your test bands, they make a nice collection at the end.
Good luck

[zenlibra]

I learned a year and a half ago. I watched a few videos on youtube and found info online. The Massive Dev Chart is a great resource for most films and developers.

http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

[Mackinaw]

Originally Posted by Bobonli

And how did you learn to do it? By reading & practicing or did someone show you?

I learned on my own, back in the early 1970's. Kodak published a very helpful "how to develop b&W film" brochure back then which is what I followed. I bought a Patterson plastic developing tank and turned a downstairs bathroom into a darkroom. Kodak also, at this time, sold things called "Tri-Packs," which were mini-packets of Microdol-X, stop bath and fixer. You mixed these up (enough to do a few rolls of film) and then processed away. Almost 40 years later and I'm still at it.

Jim B.

[robert blu]

I'm not sure when, I think I was between 12 and 15 when my father explained me how to. I start to develop myself seriuosly a few years later trying different combination film-developer (and related parameters, like temperature and time). Not difficult at all.
robert

[Fawley]

Originally Posted by imokruok

For black and white, go to the Ilford website. They have a PDF on doing your first black and white development at home.

I second this suggestion. Ilford also has a lot of great information online concerning their products. The sections addressing proper fixing and washing are especially worth looking at. If you want your negatives to still look good when your grand children are old, it is important to fix and wash properly.

[Bobonli]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

I learned by taking a high school photo class. To load film on the reels, a changing bag can be used in normal room light, so you do not need a darkroom unless you plan to also print at home. I no longer have a darkroom, I scan my films. I develop in the kitchen sink, it is a stainless steel sink, chems won't hurt it. They might stain a painted sink. Clean up after your done with lots of warm water and soap so you don't leave toxic stuff on the counters or in the sink to get in your food when you wash dishes or cook.

Nice examples on the technical pages of your site. I'm guilty of not using enough contrast when I work with scans. Thanks for bringing this to light.

[Bobonli]

Wow. A lot of useful information and encouragement.
Thanks

[Finder]

If you use your kitchen for cooking--some people don't cook--then don't use that as the darkroom. All chemicals are water soluble. If you smell them in the air, they also end up in your soup, coffee, and anything else with water. If you work in a hot darkroom for long periods, you can even get sores on your scalp because of chemistry in your sweat.

Use the bathroom.

I started developing when I was 13. I learnt by following the direction or making mistakes. It is not rocket science--it is sensitometry.

[wakarimasen]

I cannot stress how easy developing your own B&W films is!

PM me your email address and I will send you the Ilford PDF mentioned previously, and a youtube video.

After these, all you need are the 'tools' and chemicals, and you will be away..

Best regards,
RoyM

[capito]

Got a pretty much unused developing kit in eBay about three years ago, googled up a howto in German and just tried it. It was almost embarrassingly easy. Seriously, if you can brew coffee, you can develop b&w.
It's very hard to screw up with b&w. The results might not be optimal - the negatives might turn out a little thin or grainy - but you always have results.

[Roger Hicks]

Reading and practising.

I don't agree with Finder, though. If you smell sh*t in the air, it doesn't end up in the food. Providing you're reasonably careful, 'kitchen sink' developing is perfectly safe. Countless thousands of photographers have done it for well over a century. Work in the sink and sluice it out well when you've finished. Precisely because the chemicals are water soluble, they wash away.

Cheers,

R.