CHEMICAL PROCESSING

1. Development – is the process of reduction. Exposed silver

halides are reduced to metallic silver. There is a separate
developer for film (D-76) and another for paper (D-72 Dektol).
The factor that affects the developing time are: agitation,
temperature, concentration of chemicals, and exposure.
2. Stop-Bath – an intermediate bath between the developer and
the fixer. It is usually a combination of water plus acetic acid
or just plain water. Primarily, its function is to prevent the
contamination of the two chemical solutions.
3. Fixation – The process of removing unexposed silver halide
remaining in the emulsion after the first stage of development
of the latent image. The usual composition of an acid fixing
solution are a solvent for silver halide known as hypo, anti-
staining agent like acetic acid, a preservative like sodium
sulfite and a hardening agent like potassium alum.
 Developing Chemicals

1. Reducing Agent
 The most important chemical in any
developing agent.
 It is the one that reduces the exposed halides
into visible metallic silver.
 The two chemicals mostly used are: (1)
hydroquinone and (2) Metol.
 Developing Chemicals cont…

2. Accelerators
 The purposes of accelerators are to energize
the reducing agents and they soften and swell
the emulsion to permit the developer to
penetrate deeply and quickly.
 The three kinds of accelerators are:
 Sodium Carbonate
 Sodium Hydroxide
 Borax
 Developing Chemicals cont…
3. Preservative
 The commonly used preservative is Sodium
Sulfite. It prevents stain and makes the
developing solution more stable and long
lasting.

4. Restrainer
 This chemical restrains the action of the
exposed areas of the film and permits
control of density and contrast.
 Potassium bromide is the agent generally
used for this purpose.
 Fixing Chemicals

1. Sodium Thiosulfate

 Otherwise known as “hypo”.

 It dissolves the unexposed silver halides.

2. Acetic Acid
 It neutralizes/stops the action of the
developer.
 Fixing Chemicals cont…
3. Sodium Sulfate

 It serves as a preservative.

4. Potassium Alum
 It is added to the fixing bath because it has
the ability to harden the emulsion
5. Boric Acid
 It is added to the fixing bath to slow the
action and prolong the usefulness of the
fixing bath.
 Theoretical Time

FILM PROCESSING
A. Development
Film: D-76
Time: 5-6 minutes
B. Stop Bath
Time: 20-30 seconds
Prevent Contamination between developer and fixer
 Theoretical Time

C. Fixation
Time: 20-30 minutes
First stage of development of the latent image
Hypo

D. Water
Time: 20-30 minutes
 Theoretical Time

PRINTING
A. Developer
Time: 90 seconds
B. Stop Bath
Time: 10 seconds
C. Fixer
Time: 5 minutes and above to 30 minutes
D. Washing
Time: 20-30 minutes