Behind the Negatives

Shooting film is only half the story. In this section, I share how I develop, scan, and work with film at home—mistakes, chemicals, gear, and all. The process is meditative, messy, and deeply personal. Developing at home gave me a new appreciation for the craft. If you’re thinking of trying it, start small, embrace the mess, and enjoy the slowness.

Gear and Setup

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Why I Started Developing at Home

Living in a small town where film labs are virtually non-existent, shooting analog became a logistical challenge. Mailing rolls away for development was slow, expensive, and often unreliable. Out of necessity—and a desire to stay connected to the medium—I taught myself how to develop film at home. What began as a workaround quickly became something deeper: a hands-on ritual that made each frame feel more personal and earned. From mixing chemicals to hanging the negatives to dry in my kitchen, the process taught me patience

Black and White Developing

Illford

Developer

Mix: 60ml developer + water to 600ml
Pour into tank, invert 4–6 times
Agitate every minute
Develop for 6:30 min
Pour out at 5 sec before timer ends

Stop Bath
- Mix: 30ml stop + water to 600ml
- Pour in, agitate
- 30 sec total, pour out immediately at end
Fixer
- Mix: 100ml fixer + water to 600ml
- Invert immediately, then every minute
- Fix for 4:00 min, pour out at 30 sec before end
Wash
- Rinse with fresh water 3x
Wetting Agent
- Add 2 capfuls to 600ml water
- Agitate lightly
- Pour out

Behind the Negatives

Gear and Setup

Why I Started Developing at Home

Black and White Developing

Illford

Kodak Tmax