Understanding Film Photography: From Exposure to Print
Film photography is more than just a nostalgic art form—it’s a fascinating chemical process that transforms light into lasting memories. At Craig Williams Photography in Port Macquarie, we believe in sharing the craft behind the image. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned photographer, understanding how film works can deepen your appreciation for the medium and inspire your creative journey.
Let’s walk through the process—from the moment light hits the film to the final print in your hands.
🎞️ Step 1: Light Meets Film
When you press the shutter on a film camera, the shutter opens briefly, allowing light to pass through the lens and strike the film inside.
The film itself is coated with light-sensitive silver halide crystals suspended in an emulsion. Where light hits the film, these crystals undergo a chemical change, creating an invisible latent image—a kind of hidden blueprint of the scene.
Think of it like planting seeds in soil. You can’t see the result yet, but the image is there, waiting to be revealed.
🧪 Step 2: Developing the Negative
Once the roll is finished, the film is taken into a darkroom or processing lab. This is where the latent image becomes visible through a series of chemical baths:
Developer: Converts the exposed silver halide crystals into metallic silver, darkening the areas that received more light.
Stop Bath: A mild acid rinse that instantly halts development, preventing over-processing.
Fixer: Removes the unexposed crystals, leaving behind only the developed image and making the film safe to view in daylight.
Wash & Dry: The film is thoroughly rinsed and dried, resulting in a negative—where bright areas appear dark and dark areas appear light.
🔍 Step 3: Creating the Print
With the negative developed, it’s time to make a positive print—the final photograph.
The negative is placed in an enlarger, which projects light through it onto light-sensitive photographic paper.
The paper, also coated with silver halide crystals, reacts to the light passing through the negative.
Areas of the negative that are clear let in more light, making those parts of the print darker.
The exposed paper then goes through a similar chemical process: developer, stop bath, fixer, wash, and dry.
The result is a true-to-life image with rich tones and depth.
🎨 Why Film Photography Has Its Unique Look
Film photography has a distinct aesthetic that digital often tries to emulate. That look comes from:
The grain—which is actually the silver crystals themselves.
The tonal range—film responds to light in a smoother, more organic way than digital sensors.
The character of different film stocks—each has its own personality based on crystal size, emulsion chemistry, and color dyes (in color film).
At Craig Williams Photography Port Macquarie, we love the timeless quality of film and often incorporate it into creative projects and workshops.
📍 Learn More with Craig Williams Photography
Whether you're exploring film for the first time or looking to refine your technique, Craig Williams Photography in Port Macquarie offers insights, education, and hands-on experiences to help you grow as a photographer.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, blog posts, and behind-the-scenes looks at how we bring traditional techniques into modern storytelling.