Title: How to develop black and white film in the SPHS photography lab
1 How to develop black and white film in the SPHS
photography lab Step-by-step instructions
Mike Hogan September 2006
2You will need this equipment when you develop a
roll of film The tanks, caps, funnels, center
columns, and reels are located in the developing
sink. Scissors and pry tools are located next to
the drying cabinet.
3Place all of the items shown into a black
changing bag. Once you have zipped all of the
items inside the bag, place your forearms into
the bag. Grasp the film canister in one hand
while prying off the end with the pry tool.
4After you remove the film from the canister, push
one end of the film into the reel and pull it
just past the ball bearings. Hold the reel in
both hands and turn the two halves of the reel
back and forth. This will draw the film onto the
reel.
5Once you have loaded the film onto the reel,
place the center column through the reel. Put
the reel into the tank. Place the funnel on the
top of the tank and turn clockwise until you hear
it click into place.
6Once the funnel is in place, it is safe to open
the changing bag and remove the tank. Take the
tank to the sink and add about ten ounces of
developer. Press a lid onto the tank to seal it.
7Agitate the tank for seven minutes (for 400
speed film)
8Strike the tank against the palm of your hand
every 30 seconds to dislodge any air bubbles that
may cling to the film during the developing stage.
9After seven minutes, remove the lid from your
film tank and pour the developer back into the
large tank on the shelf.
10Add about ten ounces of stop bath to your film
tank. Press the lid onto the tank and agitate for
one minute. NOTE You no longer need to strike
the tank against your palm.
11After one minute, pour the stop bath back into
the large tank on the shelf. Now pour about ten
ounces of fixer into the film tank, press the lid
into place and agitate for five minutes.
12After five minutes, pour the fixer back into the
large tank on the shelf. Now fill the tank with
about ten ounces of rapid wash. Press the lid
into place and agitate the tank for one minute.
13After one minute, pour the rapid wash back into
the large tank on the shelf. Add about ten ounces
of photo-flo to the film tank, press the lid into
place and agitate for one minute.
14After one minute, pour the photo-flo back into
the large tank on the shelf. Remove the lid,
funnel, and center column from the tank. GENTLY
remove the film from the reel. Pull the film
between your index and middle fingers to squeegee
most of the liquid. Using clothespins, secure the
film to one of the racks in the drying
cabinet. Your processed film (now referred to as
negatives) will dry in about five minutes.
15Once your negatives are dry, remove them from the
drying cabinet and take them to the light table.
Cut the negatives into strips of five and insert
the strips into a negative sleeve. Write your
name at the top of the negative sleeve.
16Rinse all of the equipment you used with water
and return it to the sink. Congratulations.
Youre done!