Chapter 3

Photographic Films and Papers

A. BLACK AND WHITE FILMS

A Black and white film is basically made up of emulsion, gray or anti-halation
backing and a support base.

1. Emulsion
Photographic emulsion consist of crystals of light-sensitive compounds (silver
nitrate) evenly distributed throughout plastic base material.
Silver halide emulsion consist of crystal are universally sensitive to the ultraviolet
radiations and some wavelengths of blue light. They can be made sensitive to other
colors of light and the near infrared radiation by addition of special sensitizing dye.
Gelatin is universally used as the medium that holds the crystals in emulsion.
2. Gray or antihalation backing
This layer is placed between the emulsion and the plastic base of a film to
prevent whatever light that passes through the emulsion and reflected by the base
back to the emulsion which forms a “halo”.
3. Base
Generally film base are made of plastic material they serve as support to the
emulsion.
Characteristics of B & W Films
The characteristics of a B & W film are speed (sensitivity to light), spectral
(wavelength or color) sensitivity and granularity or graininess.
Although films are universally manufacture in about the same way, there are
controlled variations in procedure, choice and proportion of chemicals used in
processing films of different characteristics.
1. Emulsion
The different indicators of emulsion speed are as follows:
a. ASA (AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION) rating. This is expressed in arithmetical
value.
b. DIN (DEUTCHE INDUSTRI NORMEN) rating, which is expressed in logarithmic value.
c. ISO (INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATION) rating, this is expressed in the
combined arithmetical and logarithmic values.
The different emulsion speed ratings are:
ASA 12 DIN 12® ISO 12/12
ASA 25 DIN 15® ISO 25/15
ASA 50 DIN 18® ISO 50/18
 ASA 100 DIN 21® ISO 100/21
ASA 200 DIN 24® ISO 200/24
ASA 400 DIN 27® ISO 400/27
ASA 800 DIN 30® ISO 800/30
ASA 1600 DIN 33® ISO 1000/33
In the market, ASA 100 commonly referred to as the Plus X, the ASA 200 as the double X,
and the ASA 400 as the Tri-X.
2. Spectral sensitivity
The different classification of films as according to its spectral sensitivity are:
a. Blue sensitive film – sensitive to ultraviolet rays and blue light only.
b. Orthochromatic film – sensitive to ultraviolet rays and blue light only.
c. Panchromatic film – sensitive to ultraviolet radiation to blue, green and red light or
all colors.
d. Infra-red film – sensitive to ultraviolet rays, to blue, green red lights and infrared
lights and infrared rays.
3. Granularity or graininess
This refers to the size of the metallic silver grains that are formed after the
developments of an exposed film. Generally, the size of metallic silver grains are
dependent on the emulsion speed of the film and the type of the developing solution
that is used in processing. The rule is the lower the emulsion speed rating of the film,
the finer the grain and conversely, the higher the emulsion speed rating of the film,
the bigger are the grains. Likewise, a film developer when used for film processing.
B. COLOR FILMS
A color film is a multi-layer emulsion coated on the same support or base.
The top emulsion is sensitive to blue light only. Since green and red light passes
through it without effect, the blue light alone makes the exposure. A yellow filter
layer above the middle emulsion absorbs any unused blue light and prevents it from
reaching the two lower emulsion layer. The yellow color in filter have no permanent
effect on the appearance of the film because it is destroyed during the processing.
The middle emulsion is sensitive to green light but not to red light. Like all emulsions,
the middle layer is also sensitive to blue light but the blue light cannot reach it.
1. Types of color films
a. Negative or non-reversal film
The suffix “color” is given to negative or non-reversal film. This film yields either a
negative or a positive image depending on how it is used. Examples are: Kodacolor,
Fujicolor, agfacolor, etc.
b. Reversal film
The suffix “chrome” is applied to reversal material. This film when processed
a positive image or transparency for projection viewing. Example are: Kodachrome,
Ektachrome, fujichrome, Agfachrome, etc.
Like the B & W, color films also have emulsion speed with the same indicators
(ASA,DIN,ISO) and the same ratings.
Films whether B & W or color comes in a variety of sizes and number of
exposures.

C. PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPERS (BLACK AND WHITE)

Modern photographic papers are basically composed of a light sensitive
coating (emulsion) on a paper base or support. The emulsion suspended on a gelatin
is generally made of silver halide salts. To withstand the rigors of soaking in chemical
solutions and water during processing and washing, as well as the variety of degree
in humidity and temperature, the base is made of wood pulp.
1. Characteristics of a photographic paper
a. Emulsion speed
1. Chloride paper – has slow speed and is suited for contact printing.
2. Bromide paper – has a fast speed and is recommended for rejection printing or
enlarging.
3. Chloro-bromide paper – is a multi-speed and could be used in both contact
printing and enlarging.

The contrast of an emulsion also effects the printing speed. For some papers
b. Exposure and development latitude
Latitude is the degree or amount of which you can deviate from the ideal
exposure or development without appreciable loss of print quality.
1. Exposure Latitude
Generally, photographic papers do not have a wide exposure latitude so
exposure must be critical at all times.
2. Development latitude
Papers that do not change appreciable in contrast and image tone with
reasonable variations in development has a good latitude. However, for the
best quality the developing time should be as near as those prescribed by the
manufacturer.
C. Contrast range or grade
in black and white printing, it is often necessary to adjust the paper contrast
so they can yield a natural scene result from negatives with density range
that are either too high or too low. Some papers are available in several
contrast range or grade while others have built-in contrast control effected
by the use of filter on the enlarging lens or on the enlarger light source.

In most photographic papers, the contrast range or grade are indicated by

numbers – 0 to 5
 1. Numbers 0 and 1 are used on over-exposed or low contrast negative.
2. Numbers 2 are used on normal exposed or normal contrast negatives.
3. Numbers 3 to 5 used in under-exposed or high contrast negatives.

D. Physical characteristics
Under this category, photographic papers comes in different surfaces base
thickness or weight and color.

1. Surfaces of photographic papers vary in surface texture or degrees gloss

or sheen. They are the glossy an smooth, semi-matte or silk, and the
matte or the rough surface.
2. Base weight or thickness
Under this category, we have the light weight, single weight, medium
weight, and the double weight.
3. Color maybe “cold” or white with a very slight blue cast, and the “warm”
or “cream” where the white has a slight yellow-brown line.
E. PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPERS FOR COLOR PRINTING
Are essentially similar to the film used in the camera except that the
emulsion layers are coated on a paper base and contain couplers which are
colorless. Colored couplers are not used because the print would then be
unsuitable for direct viewing.

Printing a negative in complementary colors or a non-reversal print reverses

both the tone scale and the color of the negative. Thus, the final result is a
positive reproduction within the accuracy limits of the photographic
processes of the tones and colors of the original subject.

Photographic papers – both color and black-and-white are supplied in rolls or

sheet in varying lengths or sizes.