Good morning 👋 I hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday.

I’ve whipped up a fresh batch of C-41 Developer and Blix.👨‍🍳 No more dead film.💀 If you’re just tuning in, the other week I lost a whole roll of film due to exhausted Developer.😭 

Here’s what we’re getting into today.

• 👩‍🔬 Developing color film…easier than you think!

• ⭐️ Film photographer spotlight

• 🎥 Photography in the movies

👩‍🔬 Developing color film…easier than you think!

A lot of people start out developing Black & White film and then move to color. There is this perception that developing B&W film is easier. I actually think it’s the opposite. I started with color film as I found B&W to be intimidating (so many developer options and dilution choices 😵‍💫). The big thing that scares people with color film is the temperature. But it doesn’t have to be scary.

A quick primer on C-41 development

C-41 is the standard developing process for color film (you’ll see this labeled on the film cassette or box). I use CineStill’s C-41 chemistry and it’s what I will reference here. There are others, just be sure to read their directions as the temps/times may be slightly different. That said, developing color film involves 3 crucial and 2 optional steps:

1. Pre-rinse (optional)

2. Developer

3. Blix (Bleach+Fixer)

4. Wash thoroughly

5. Photoflow (optional)

🌡️ Temperature of the chemistry is really important with color film!

Unlike B&W film which can be developed at room temperature, color film chemistry needs to be heated up. For CineStill’s C-41 chemistry it needs to be 102ºF (39ºC).

How do you heat up the chemicals? Easy, use a water bath.

A plastic bin filled with water and a sous vide works really well.

Once everything is up to temp, you’re ready to start.

Step 1 - Pre-rinse (optional)

Fill the tank with distilled water that’s 102ºF (39ºC) and let it sit for 1 minute.

Dump out the water. Don’t worry if the water is a funny color, it’s from the film.

Step 2 - Developer

Pour your heated up Developer into the tank, and start the timer for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. You will lightly agitate for 10 seconds and then do 4 agitation inversions every 30 seconds. After each agitation you want to lightly tap the bottom of the tank to release any air bubbles.

Afterwards pour the Developer back into your chemical bottle (Developer can be reused). Do check your Developer’s instructions, it will explain how to compensate the dev time as the solution gets weaker from multiple uses.

Step 3 - Blix

Pour your heated up Blix into the tank and start the time for 8 minutes. Again, lightly agitate for 10 seconds and then do 4 agitation inversions every 30 seconds. Tap to release any air bubbles.

After 8 minutes pour the Blix back into your Blix chemical bottle (Blix can also be reused)

Step 4 - Wash

Now you want to go to your sink and fill up your tank with room temp water 7 times. This will get all the left over chemicals off your film.

At this point you can take your film out of the tank, it is no longer light sensitive.

Step 5 - Photoflow (optional)

Photoflow is a final rinse that you can use on your film. It will help prevent water spots.

That’s it! Hang your film to dry for several hours and then you can scan it.

😮‍💨 That’s a lot of information at once. For a more in depth tutorial here is the best video on developing color film. It’s what I referred back to many times when learning.

⭐️ Film photographer spotlight

This will be a semi reoccurring section where I highlight a film photographer whose work has inspired me this week. Hopefully, their work will bring inspiration to you as well.

For today it’s: Vlad Yurkov - He does a lot of really beautiful 4×5 work.

You can find him on:

• Instagram: @vladyurkov

• Flickr

Here is one of my favorites:

🎥 Photography in the movies

As photographers I think we appreciate when a movie involves photography as a part of its story. I know I always love camera spotting. 👀 Here are two great movies that feature not just photography but film photography.

City of God - 2002

The main character, Rocket, just wants to be a photographer and avoid the violence in the slums of Rio. I highly recommend this movie.

Civil War - 2024

Set everything about this movie aside, it was interesting to see things through the perspective of photojournalists. Plus she develops film on the go. It is a movie worth watching.

I’d love to hear from you. What are some movies you’ve enjoyed that feature photography?

Alright that’s going to be it for this week. I’ll see you again on Tuesday! 🌮

Go develop a negative into a positive.

Ben Henschel

📷 Yashica Mat 124G / 🎞️ Harman Phoenix 200