Good basic color processing education

brianentz · Jul 23, 2021

I've started processing my own C41 and am not real happy with my results yet. Perhaps I didn't have the temp right. There's a bucket load of books on processing your own black and white, but not much on color. Not that I can find. Something that shows the sort of things that can go wrong and how to correct would be nice.

Any recommendations for a good book or other source of information for me to peruse?

foc · Jul 24, 2021

These might help.

https://petapixel.com/2013/05/13/ho...r-negative-film-at-home-from-start-to-finish/

https://shootitwithfilm.com/develop-color-film-at-home/

https://www.focalcollective.com/focalpoints/how-to-develop-color-c-41-film-at-home

https://parallaxphotographic.coop/how-to-develop-colour-film/

It is not that complex or hard to do C41 at home. IMO the most important thing is that the developer is at the correct temperature, usually, 38C and the timing for dev is 3min 15 sec. The rest can be near enough and not cause a problem.

Depending on the kit you use, the instruction for it should be fool proof.

What are your main issues with the films you have processed?
Can you post a few samples?

koraks · Jul 24, 2021

brianentz said:
Something that shows the sort of things that can go wrong and how to correct would be nice.

Maintain correct temperature.
Time development consistently and accurately.
Use fresh chemistry and/or proper replenishment.

That's all there is to it, really. Deviation of any of these or a combination thereof will create problems to a lesser or greater extent. Don't overthink it. Color processing is pretty much like being an extremely devout Christian or Muslim: stick to the book and don't deviate from it, period. With the added benefit of course that there's only 3 commandments to stick to, and the book is actually reliable.

MattKing · Jul 24, 2021

I would add "use consistent and repeatable but suitably randomized agitation" to koraks' list.

koraks · Jul 24, 2021

Good point Matt, you're right. So make that 4 Commandments - perhaps we'll make it 10 after all!

MattKing · Jul 24, 2021

koraks said:
Good point Matt, you're right. So make that 4 Commandments - perhaps we'll make it 10 after all!

I would add "Have Fun!" to ANY such list of Commandments!

koraks · Jul 24, 2021

Once that one becomes a _Commandment_, I'm out

MattKing · Jul 24, 2021

koraks said:
Once that one becomes a _Commandment_, I'm out

Okay - Thou shalt (or maybe not) have fun!

brianentz · Jul 24, 2021

foc said:
These might help.

https://petapixel.com/2013/05/13/ho...r-negative-film-at-home-from-start-to-finish/

https://shootitwithfilm.com/develop-color-film-at-home/

https://www.focalcollective.com/focalpoints/how-to-develop-color-c-41-film-at-home

https://parallaxphotographic.coop/how-to-develop-colour-film/

It is not that complex or hard to do C41 at home. IMO the most important thing is that the developer is at the correct temperature, usually, 38C and the timing for dev is 3min 15 sec. The rest can be near enough and not cause a problem.

Depending on the kit you use, the instruction for it should be fool proof.

What are your main issues with the films you have processed?
Can you post a few samples?

brianentz · Jul 24, 2021

I got some cyan fringing on the left and right of my Ektar 120, but that might be a light leak in the film holder. It seems a bit muddier, grainer, less sharp than what I was expecting, but that might be problems from my scanning. Just checking off possible problems.

I'm wondering, if the temp is off what sort of problems would manifest? If the agitation was too much or too little what problems would manifest? I would imagine that if there was too little agitation there might be unevenness? If there was too much agitation ... what would I see?

I'm working on improving my water bath to get it to the precise temp and keeping it there.

brianentz · Jul 24, 2021

foc said:
These might help.

https://petapixel.com/2013/05/13/ho...r-negative-film-at-home-from-start-to-finish/

https://shootitwithfilm.com/develop-color-film-at-home/

https://www.focalcollective.com/focalpoints/how-to-develop-color-c-41-film-at-home

https://parallaxphotographic.coop/how-to-develop-colour-film/

It is not that complex or hard to do C41 at home. IMO the most important thing is that the developer is at the correct temperature, usually, 38C and the timing for dev is 3min 15 sec. The rest can be near enough and not cause a problem.

Depending on the kit you use, the instruction for it should be fool proof.

What are your main issues with the films you have processed?
Can you post a few samples?

brianentz · Jul 24, 2021

Thanks for the articles. I'll give them a good going through.

I'm working on improving my temp control. I'll get it right.

Auer · Jul 24, 2021

brianentz said:
I got some cyan fringing on the left and right of my Ektar 120, but that might be a light leak in the film holder. It seems a bit muddier, grainer, less sharp than what I was expecting, but that might be problems from my scanning. Just checking off possible problems.

I'm wondering, if the temp is off what sort of problems would manifest? If the agitation was too much or too little what problems would manifest? I would imagine that if there was too little agitation there might be unevenness? If there was too much agitation ... what would I see?

I'm working on improving my water bath to get it to the precise temp and keeping it there.

An immersion heater will make the whole process a lot easier.
I have a TCS-1000 and it makes keeping temps simple and easy.

Good basic color processing education

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