Camera film is a type of photographic film that is used to capture images.
Although digital cameras have largely replaced film cameras, there are many of us who still prefer the unique qualities of shooting film.
Producing film is a lengthy process
The production of film is fascinating, so much goes into those little canisters before they fall into your hands. So here is a quick overview of the production process that leads to producing that precious film.
The production of camera film begins with a base material, typically made of cellulose acetate or polyester. This base material is coated with a layer of gelatin, which serves as the foundation for the light-sensitive emulsion. The emulsion is a mixture of silver halide crystals, which are the light-sensitive particles that capture the image, and a binder, which holds the crystals in place on the film.
The emulsion is applied to the gelatin-coated base material in a darkroom, using a process known as coating. The coating is a precise and delicate process that requires a highly controlled environment to ensure that the emulsion is applied evenly and smoothly. The coated film is then dried in a carefully controlled environment to prevent any unwanted blemishes or bubbles from forming.
Once the film is dry, it is cut into rolls of various sizes, depending on the intended use. The rolls are then packaged and stored in light-tight containers to protect them from exposure to light, which would fog the emulsion and ruin the film.
When a photographer loads the film into their camera, they expose the emulsion to light by opening the camera’s shutter. The light causes a chemical reaction in the silver halide crystals, which creates a latent image on the film. The film is then processed in a series of chemical baths, which develop the latent image into a visible image. The final step is to fix the image by washing away any remaining silver halide crystals that were not exposed to light, leaving behind a permanent image on the film.
If this has all been a bit wordy but you are still interested in how your favourite film is produced then have a watch of this fascinating YouTube series .
In conclusion, the production of camera film is a highly technical and precise process that requires a controlled environment and careful attention to detail. If you love shooting film as much as us then why not check out our free dev & scan service .