Color Film

Color Film

How Photographic Film Captures Pictures

Professional and amateur photographers have used photographic film for over one hundred years. Although digital picture taking has become vastly popular, developing film is still the best method for capturing photos. This type of film can record minute details and retain the purity of the image.

Photographic film has properties that make it light sensitive. When a picture is taken with a camera containing film, only a certain amount of light reaches it. Taking the picture freezes the image being photographed and records it. The shutter on the camera opens at varying speeds to allow specific amounts of light in. The light chemically changes the properties of the film.

The image that is recorded on the film is invisible at the time of capture. When it's developed, it pulls the image into view. The film is kept in a dark place until it is time to be developed. The outer casing protects it from any exposure to light. Keeping the film inside the case until it is time to develop the picture is essential. Exposing the film to light too soon will negatively impact the image. Once it is ready to be developed, it can be made larger and turned into a print.

Developing film involves removing it in a dark room. The surface of the film is covered by an emulsion of materials that react to light energy. Working in a dark room allows the photographer to develop the image without any light reaching the film. When the film is exposed, the image appears as a negative. This means that the picture is seen in a brightness that is opposite the actual image. The areas on an image that receive the lightest exposure appear dark on the negative. Developing the film turns the negative image into a positive one, so human eyes can view it. During it's development, a solution is used to stabilize it. Stabilizing the film makes the image visible. Once the image is in view, the solution is rinsed off, and the film is placed in a fixing bath. This is a combination of chemicals that react with the compounds leftover on it. Once the film is bathed in the fixing chemicals, only the image remains. At this point, it is not sensitive to light.

After the photographed image comes into view, it can be modified and printed on paper that is specifically designed for photographs. Color film has several emulsions, and each one is sensitive to a different color of light. This makes it possible to print color pictures that maintain the original colors on the photographed image. Black and white film is sensitive to all light wavelengths.

Each step in photography contributes to the realness of the photograph. The type of lens on the camera, the speed of the shutter, and the type of film used can affect the outcome of the photo. Through the development and printing of photographic film, a photographer can fine tune an image and capture a special moment with accuracy.

For more information on photographic film equipment (PFE), visit http://pfe.com/p171969-developing-photographic-film.cfm.

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Color film in black and white camera?

I just got an X-370 minolta, it takes black and white pictures, just wondering if it's possible to take color pictures with it? If I used color film would it still print out black and white? Or would it ruin the camera?
I see, that makes sense.
Thanks!

The "colour" in a traditional film camera is a function of the film, not of the camera. So long as the film is of the correct size for the camera, it'll work, and it'll be in colour if the film is colour film, and black&white if the film is black&white.

Remember, that the camera is just a box that flips open a small hole to let light in. The pictures any film camera takes (assuming you're not using a filter), are always in colour. It's what the film captures that determines whether the negatives are black&white or colour.