I hate to be an idiot so i apologize in advance for this question. I have recently begun taking photos as a hobby, but want to start developing my own. A friend has given me a developing tank(?)and spools as well as trays for chemical bathing. My question is could someone please descibe the process from unloading my film (from the camera) to producing prints? I know i need an enlarger, but aside from that i'm not sure about anything else. Thanks so much for your replies. I've had a hard time finding this basic info on the net, as most web sites are for people already schooled in photography. I'm just trying to become a good photographer and developer. Thanks again.

-- Fritz Robinett (fritztk421@mindspring.com), July 30, 1999

Answers

Rather than for us to repeat what is in any beginner's darkroom guide, you should go out and find one. Your local library should have at least one such book, and probably has 10. That said, the basic order for processing is developer, stop, fix, and wash. But there is a whole lot more to it than that, so you need to start reading.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), July 30, 1999.

Hi Fritz, I agree wuth Ed. A good book is just you need it right now. After you get into developing, you'll have specific questions, then a community like this is an invaluble reference and help. I suggest 2 books. First one is the "Darkroom Handbook" by Michael Langford. It has everything from basic film processing to advance printing techniques. The other one is Ansel Adams' series: "The negative" and "The print". There are many more of course but I know these and strongly recomend, you won't need anything else for a while. These books have a lot of information. And also ilford's and kodak's web sites are great for data. Good luck. Tolga

-- Tolga Yayalar (35mm@www.com), July 31, 1999.

Fritz, I'm just learning like you and I found the Ansel Adams books way to technical and over my head. The Langford book is probably what you want though I don't know it. A very helpful book was Black and White Photography (I think this is the name) by Henry Hornstien and Essential Darkroom Techniques, 3rd ed., by Eastland. Regarding the nutsiness that accompanies art I found Art and Fear by David Bayles a godsend. Good luck. Jeff Lapid

-- Jeffrey Lapid (jlapid@monad.net), August 05, 1999.

Hi Fritz I am an undergrad in applied arts and working as a photographer for a web site for last 2 years also working as a freelance photographer. I have never had photography classes, learnt all through self study. And I belive thats the right way provided you are not having any deadlines to follow. The general Film dev. process goes like this: 1) take out the completely rewound roll from camera in the total darkness(whichever room you are working in) 2) you get good quality (PATTERSON) spirals for loading the film in. This process you should try and practice with waste roll flims 3) I think d76 is a ok developer to start with. Bt regarding developing time, you should calibrate it for your equipment (temp. at which you are working etc.)

Take for granted, the way to overcome the flaws like dust ,scraches, fog, fingerprints is only Practice and comparative documentation of everydays processes.

Books by Ansel adams may be seemingly too technical but that is what would make you confident about your print try this site: http://www.cicada.com/pub/photo/zs/intro/ thanx bye shreepad

-- Shreepad (shreepadjoglekar@usa.net), August 18, 1999.