Black and white film development for beautiful negatives

There are many different black and white film developing techniques you can use. I go over one that has given me repeatable even density negatives with great contrast for printing. Developing black and white film does not have to be difficult! The key is find something that works for you and be consistent with it!

Have fun in the dark!

=============================
Relevant Links:
=============================

=============================
Go to film photography setup //
=============================

=============================
Go to digital camera setup //
=============================

=============================
Music:
=============================

=============================
Affiliate Links:
=============================
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase. If you have a different purchase in mind, please consider using these links as it helps create more free content for this channel!

=============================
Follow Me:
=============================

Thank you so much for watching!

=============================

#distphotofilm #darkroom

[MichaelLloyd]

The first time I loaded 120 I did it in a change tent. When I took the drum out of the tent I was rewarded with my exposed film laying in the bottom of the tent... yup... rolled the paper onto the reel...

[JonnySchaab]

Been ten years since I’ve developed my own film and this was such a great refresher. Thanks so much for all the archival insights as well!!

[theoldfilmbloke]

i use 2 Fixers as well ! It gets 3 times the working life out of the solutions. To test Fixer 1 I use 4% Potassium Iodide - a drop in a small few drops of Fix - if there is a Yellow Precipitate the Fix is full of Silver.

[mikesutton]

Thanks for the great video. I did darkroom for a living, but it’s been almost 24 years and I needed a refresher. I will say I developed hundreds of rolls of black and white and never had issues pouring through the light tight cap, I think consistency is key whichever way one goes. I’ve dried film in the shower before, but I never thought to run hot water first to knock the dust down, that’s a stroke of genius.

[Morganna_Nikolaevna]

I wanted to learn how to develop B&W film myself, and your video was the most helpful one I watched on explaining the entire process! Thanks!

[curiosity]

Yeah, I have not developed film since the late 70's but I'm ramping up to give it another go and like another said here it's a great refresher.

[STANDRDUSER]

135 and 120 Hewes’ Reels are absolutely amazing, simplistic and satisfying when unwound.

[timjones]

Great video of the steps. One little trick I use after the PhotoFlo wash is to put the reel in a salad spinner and give it a good spin. Film comes out with virtually no water drops on it.

[FTropper]

If you are like me two years ago, don't worry so much about this video. Just buy some cheap film like Foma or Kentmere, shoot some average picture (so it doesn't matter if you screw it up) and start developing. Don't worry about perfect times, temperate and agitation. After you did it a couple of times and you realized how easy the basic process is, start watching videos like this start to perfect your development process. Learn from my mistake: I postponed trying film several month because it sounded so complicated - and I can assure you: it is not! If you just want to shoot some pictures, develop it and scan it, it is super easy!

[tomsawyer]

Really well explained! I develop my film for about 5 years now but I was hoping for a channel like yours since 2015. Your knowledge is on a high level, no question about it! Thank you very much for sharing!

[DessieTots]

Thank you for:
a) not wearing a baseball cap backwards
b) not saying “what’s happenin, etc”
c) not droning on for ages before getting to the point
d) uploading this video
e) you’re welcome

P.S. I’ve been using a salad spinner to remove excess water from the films before hanging. I just glued a spare plastic core to the base of the basket and slide the film reel onto it, put the lid on and spin.
Suggestion: would it not be easier to fit a filtration system between the water supply and tap instead of using distilled water?

[IainHC]

Great video :-) Solid technique :-) Your daughter had fun in Hopefully she'll have a darkroom of her own one day :-)

[mikoajstarzynski]

great tip with steaming bathroom before hanging the negatives ;) thanks!

[daffiid]

"And you don't need to shake it like a martini"
- "What?"
Chuckled at that haha

[stephensmith]

I enjoy your careful processes. Actually Ilford recommends the following washing method: "Fill the tank with water and invert it five times. Drain the water away and refill. Invert the tank ten times. Once more drain the water away and refill. Finally invert the tank twenty times and drain the water away." This uses less water and is faster.

[terrywbreedlove]

You are like the opposite of me. Your attention to detail is so impressive. I am like a Bull in a China shop. Maybe why your prints are so damn good 👍🏻

[kangaroogroundboy]

Nice to see the next generation of analog people coming along. Just developed first couple of rolls of 35mm since 1988. Your video handy reminder, though once I smelt the stop bath it all came back. Hope you're keeping warm, hi from London

[andrelachaine]

Verry good video: Here is my experience. I have been using photo-flo 200 for years and when the film comes out of the tank after washing with photo-flo 200 I have never touched the film with a squeegee, sponge, or anything else letting the film drying by itself. The film comes out with no trace of residue and is beautiful. I tried the experiment of removing the water with my fingers and the results were disastrous. The film after drying came out damaged. So, for me it may be best to let the film dry on its own without intervening. Keep up the good work.

[gianlucapompanin]

Awesome video. Been developing/printing on my own for about a year now but there is still so much to learn and these videos have been so great! Keep it up 🤟🤟🤟

[stevensakic]

Thank you, for sharing your darkroom technique., for negative development. i did my own development before digital, and now I am enlightened to go back
to shoot film and do my own darkroom printing.