How can I make a fully black piece of developed film?
Asked 11/15/2014
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I’m following a DIY infrared camera guide that says I need a completely black developed negative. What’s the easiest way to make one? Can I do it with a roll of film I already have, or by exposing some film to light before processing?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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If you load a roll of film into a camera, the leader will be fully exposed and will be black upon developing. You can pull a bit extra out of the roll. Or in sunlight you can take a few shots at the longest exposure time (or in bulb mode for say 30 secs) and that should produce black.
Or if you don't have a film camera, just pull a length of film out in bright light for a few seconds, then have it developed. Or ask at a print shop if they can give you the exposed ends of a roll they've trimmed off after processing.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. A “black negative” is just film that has been fully exposed to light and then developed, so it becomes very dense/opaque.
Easy ways to get one:
- Use the film leader or a pulled-out strip from a roll and expose it fully to bright light before development.
- In a film camera, make a few frames in strong sunlight at a very long exposure, or use bulb mode for a long exposure.
- If you don’t have a camera, pull out a short length of film in bright light for a few seconds, then have it developed.
- A lab or print shop may also have fully exposed trimmed ends from processed rolls.
Important: it needs to be developed after exposure. Undeveloped film won’t work the same way.
If possible, use a piece that looks uniformly very dark with no visible image detail.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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