We were each given a Pentax film camera and a canister of 35mm Ilford black and white film. The film allowed us to each take 24 photographs.
We then set out around Downpatrick, searching for subjects we could use for our photographs.
Since we were only able to take 24 photographs, I noticed that I was more cautious on what my subjects were and since we had a limit I had more of a resistance to repeatedly click the shutter, this meant that our photographs required more thought and meaning, which was a nice change from taking hundreds of the same photograph to ensure it looked perfect with a DSLR camera.
Working with the film camera was a new experience, as we did not have to set an ISO, as the film itself was made at an ISO of 400.
The viewfinder is slightly different on film cameras, as they have a needle pointer to show you how exposed the picture is to light, this needle assists you in accurately exposing the shot, as you would aim to have the needle pointing in the middle for the best results.
We then set out around Downpatrick, searching for subjects we could use for our photographs.
Since we were only able to take 24 photographs, I noticed that I was more cautious on what my subjects were and since we had a limit I had more of a resistance to repeatedly click the shutter, this meant that our photographs required more thought and meaning, which was a nice change from taking hundreds of the same photograph to ensure it looked perfect with a DSLR camera.
Working with the film camera was a new experience, as we did not have to set an ISO, as the film itself was made at an ISO of 400.
The viewfinder is slightly different on film cameras, as they have a needle pointer to show you how exposed the picture is to light, this needle assists you in accurately exposing the shot, as you would aim to have the needle pointing in the middle for the best results.
Once we had taken all of our photographs, we then went into the dark room and our tutor walked us through the use of the processing tank.
We practised wrapping some film scraps around the white spindle, trying to get it slotted correctly into the tabs and wrapped precisely around. We then practised putting the tank together, with the white spindle first, then the funnel, followed by the lid. We had to ensure that it was air-tight when shut, because no light is able to get into the tank or else our photographs would be destroyed with the exposure. After a few attempts we had to do it in the dark, with no light whatsoever and we had to pierce open our film canister, using a blunt pair of scissors to open the velvety seal, and we gently begin wrapping it around the white spindle, and putting together the tank pieces. This was very difficult, but thankfully our tutor was there to assist us and we got all of our film strips tightly concealed within the tanks. |
The film canister after opening
Now that our film was tightly concealed, with no light able to get inside the tank, we could turn the lights back on.
Our tutor kindly poured us out some measurements of the chemicals into some measuring flasks so we could use them.
To develop our film, and make sure it is no longer light-sensitive, we had to 'set' our film, using a developer, a stopper and a fixer.
We had to pour each chemical in one at a time, and 'agitate' our tank, by slowly turning it upside down and letting the chemicals soak all around our film located on the spindle. We kept each chemical in for 10 minutes and agitated it every couple of minutes..
The developer and the stopper should turn purple when they mix, so we know it worked correctly when we poured in the clear mixtures and poured out the purple mixture.
We also made sure to pour the chemicals back down the sink after use, except for the fixer, as it could be reused at another time.
After our film had been fixed, we could then open the tank and place our white spindle in the water to wash off any excess chemicals.
Our tutor kindly poured us out some measurements of the chemicals into some measuring flasks so we could use them.
To develop our film, and make sure it is no longer light-sensitive, we had to 'set' our film, using a developer, a stopper and a fixer.
We had to pour each chemical in one at a time, and 'agitate' our tank, by slowly turning it upside down and letting the chemicals soak all around our film located on the spindle. We kept each chemical in for 10 minutes and agitated it every couple of minutes..
The developer and the stopper should turn purple when they mix, so we know it worked correctly when we poured in the clear mixtures and poured out the purple mixture.
We also made sure to pour the chemicals back down the sink after use, except for the fixer, as it could be reused at another time.
After our film had been fixed, we could then open the tank and place our white spindle in the water to wash off any excess chemicals.