AboutSteve Pearson Expertise Try me for 35mm or darkroom issues. I am a professional photographer in Australia. I work solely in 35mm digital format, after 35 years of colour and monochrome film in many formats. I have darkroom experience and for many years belonged to my local camera club. I conduct photography workshops around the state on any and most subjects relating to photography and often judge photography exhibitions and competitions.
Experience I hold a Diploma of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation, with part of my studies involving photography. I spend most days with a camera and am into digital photography in a big way. I was given my first camera in 1965 and have not been without one since. I spent nearly 20 years as a forensic investigator with my state Police Force, and since retiring a couple of years ago have concentrated on commercial photography - especially weddings.
Expert: Steve Pearson Date: 6/18/2005 Subject: color and black&white
Question What are the differences with devloping, enlarging, and such with black and white film and color film? Like how are the steps for doing color film different from black&white film?
I've taken a basic black and white class but now I'm interested in taking a color photo course.
Also, what do you mean by diffenrt formats other than 35mm, thats all I've ever heard of.
Answer Hi Trevor. Thanks for your question/s.
1. What are the differences with devloping, enlarging, and such with black and white film and color film? Like how are the steps for doing color film different from black & white film?
B&W film developing is a very simple process compared with colour film developing. Temperatures are more critical with colour and there are more steps involved (more chemicals). It is also more expensive.
2. Also, what do you mean by different formats other than 35mm. Thats all I've ever heard of.
A 35mm negative is 36mm x 24mm. The 35mm comes from the actual width of the film. Measure it and see. There are larger format films, the most common being 2-1/4 inches wide, which is a roll film. This is more commonly known as "two and a quarter square" (6cm x 6cm) or "645" (6cm x 4.5cm). There are smaller formats also. You may remember the little 110 cameras that came out many years ago. You bought your film in a small cartridge that you dropped into the camera and closed the back. The actual format was about the size of your thumbnail. There are bigger formats available but they are more specialized cameras and usually take sheet film. They can be 5" x 7", 6" x 8" and even as big as 8" x 10". You can imagine the detail you will get from an 8" x 10" format negative if you print an 8" x 10" photo from it. It will be a "contact print" or same-size print. A bit different from enlarging a 35mm negative to 8" x 10" or 8" x 12" (to keep the same format of the 35mm negative).
Printing colour photographs is also more difficult that B&W. Colour printing is a much hotter process and must be done in TOTAL darkness. It is also more expensive than B&W.
Hope this sorts you out for the time being. Cheers.
Steve P
