Darkroom techniques, procedures, and events
In-depth articles on darkroom practices, timing, and procedures, with downloadable attachments (time tables, manuals, technical sheets), plus upcoming workshops and events.
- 26sep
- 27sep
- 27sep
A Guide to the Use of Photographic Developers
This guide offers a technical foundation for the employment of photographic developers, classifying the optimal pairings with the various films on the market so as to guarantee the finest rendering of contrast, grain and sharpness.
Read the articleSafety Requirements in the Darkroom
Photographic chemicals are safe working tools when handled with the correct precautions. This guide brings together the essential safety rules for using all Conservatorio Fotochimica products.
Read the articlePreparation of the Chemicals
This guide sets forth the procedure for the correct dissolution of the powders, an operation common to all developers of our production, upon which the good success of the photographic process depends.
Read the articleStorage of Chemicals and Verification of their Reactivity
Every photographic chemical, however well preserved, is subject with the passing of time to a natural decay of its reactivity. This guide sets forth the correct manner of storing developers and fixers, together with some simple methods for verifying their residual reactivity before use.
Read the articleConcentrations and Working Dilutions
Not all of our chemicals are used as supplied: some are conceived as concentrated solutions, to be diluted at the time of use in different proportions according to the result one intends to achieve. This guide illustrates the principle, with examples drawn from our own manuals.
Read the articleComplete Film Development Process
Beyond the essential sequence of development, stop, fixing, and washing, professional practice includes further stages, intended to perfect the stability and long-term preservation of the negative. This guide sets forth the entire sequence.
Read the articleComplete Print Development Process
The treatment of the photographic print, especially where intended for long preservation, follows a sequence more elaborate than that employed for film. This guide sets forth the entire succession.
Read the articleGovernance of Temperature in the Darkroom
This guide illustrates the principle upon which the time-temperature table is founded, teaching the operator how correctly to compensate for thermal variations in the developing bath without compromising the result.
Read the articleManaging Contrast: Development Time and Agitation Regime
Beyond temperature, there exist two levers the operator may deliberately govern to alter image contrast with the same film and developer: the time spent in the bath and the agitation regime. This guide sets forth the principle and its practical use.
Read the articleCleaning Equipment and Disposing of Spent Chemicals
A well-prepared chemistry can be undone by poorly cleaned equipment, just as responsible photographic practice cannot disregard the correct disposal of spent baths. This guide closes our series by addressing these two aspects, often overlooked yet of an importance equal to that of development itself.
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