Film Processing Labs Key Terms

Film processing labs key terms facilitate communication between photographer and client for perfect pictures

Film processing labs key terms aid in getting perfect photographs for the professionals and amateurs devoted to perfection. Most photographers strive to capture a brilliant image on their film, but work in the darkroom can cause imperfections. Insufficient or excessive light can ruin an image, yet a skilled darkroom technician can work with the image captured on film, and utilize techniques to enhance a picture. When photographers and film processing labs both understand film processing key terms, the collaboration results in professional looking photographs.

 

Developing tanks

Developing tanks are instruments for darkroom workers developing sensitive films. They may take their film to a fast service facility where a giant machine does the work, but the perfectionist photographer usually wants careful, skilled processing of their film. Manufacturers design developing tanks so a darkroom worker can take film from a camera in the dark, coil it on a reel and insert it into a light tight developing tank where the film lab technician can add the appropriate chemicals.
Try: Chromogenic has descriptions of developing tanks and other darkroom equipment in their inventory.

Indicator stop bath

Perfect pictures are important to photographers and an indicator stop bath is essential to their quest. The indicator stop bath allows a darkroom technician to stop the developing phase at just the right time.
Try: Silvergrain Labs are photographic experts who explain the process clearly.

Photo flo

Photographers might stalk tigers, climb mountains or dodge bullets to capture images on film. After a tough trek to get magnificent photos, many photographers would be upset to learn the darkroom damaged their work. Film processing labs add photo flo as they develop films to make sure that their work is excellent, and free of unwanted stains and marks.
Try: Pictureline is gives an example of Photo flo and lists its specifications.

Hypo clearing agent

Photographers use different methods and chemicals to develop their film and print their photos. Many photographers follow similar procedures, but some of the most demanding insist on using hypo clearing agent to speed up the process while producing excellent results.
Try: Photographer's Tool Kit is an excellent source of information on photography and darkroom work.

Fixer

Darkroom technicians and amateurs alike expose photographic paper using a negative and a darkroom enlarger. After the appropriate exposure, the workers use chemicals including the fixer so they can take this print out of the darkroom. A good fixer stops the process at just the right time so the photographic paper does not turn black.
Try: Freestyle Photo will help a novice understand the process of developing photographs.

Dodging and burning

Photographers capture great images on film, and these images become more clear with dodging and burning techniques in the darkroom. Working in the darkroom, photographers lessen the impact of a feature or area of a photograph by covering that feature or area while developing the picture in the enlarger. If photographers want to make a feature or area more prominent, they use the opposite technique and cover all of the photo except this area which is called burning.
Try: Digital Camera has detailed information on dodging and burning.

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