In the dark room.

I have only used a film camera a few times as I personally think digital is much better.
A few reasons to as why digital cameras are better than films cameras are that you are able to delete images which you don’t want, you don’t have to waste memory space on pictures that don’t turn out, you can also look back on your pictures right away and delete any if anything is out of focus, badly exposed or not how you wanted the picture to look, were as on a film camera you can’t preview the picture you have just taken, you just need to hope it’s turned out how you wanted it to.
Also with film you have to print out your pictures to see the final images, so it could be a waste of money as it might not be what you wanted, also if you want copies printed you would have to go through the process again, however with digital you can just upload them on the computer, edit them and send them through email, or to print.
By using digital it saves money on cost, they do cost more money than film cameras but in the long run you don’t have to waste money getting them printed just to see the outcome like film, you can save them on your computer and get them printed whenever you want to. You could just have the one printed with digital unlike film were you need to get them all processed. Film cameras have its advantages over digital, however digital cameras are getting new features and getting better every day.
However I wanted the experience of taking a picture and developing it myself.
So I went out into the town of Wakefield with a film camera and black and white film.
I didn’t have a particular brief of what to take pictures of so I chose to make it look documentary like, such as people passing by.
I shared the film with my friend as instead of wasting a full film just for practising it made more sense to have half each.
After I took my 15 pictures that meant I had to develop the film.
First, I needed to load the film onto a reel and place it in the tank.
I laid out the tools in front of me: film cassette, can opener, film reel, tank and tank cover. Memorize their positions. Then closed the door so no light could get in.
In total darkness, I removed the film from the cassette. Pull the flat end off the 35mm canister with a can opener. Unwind the film and remove the end of the film from the spool by peeling off the tape that connects it.
Then I loaded the film onto a plastic film reel.
With the plastic reel, you simply slide one end of the film into a slot on the outer edge of the reel and "walk" the film in until it is loaded. Then you place the loaded reel in the film tank ad cover it as directed. The film is now in a light tight container so you are able to turn the light on.
Then I added the chemicals, a film developer, a stop bath, and a fixer.
Pour developer into the open part of the sealed film tank, known as the pour spout, and cover it.
To agitate, I turned the tank upside down 5 times every 30 seconds and when it is upright again, tap it a few times against your work surface to remove any air bubbles that might form on the film during agitation.
When I was done, I took the lid off the tank and poured the solution out.
I then rinsed it under water for a minute to stop development this is called a stop bath.
Then you use the fixe.
Fixing takes 10 minutes. At the end of the fixing time, you can actually inspect the negatives although you'll probably want to wait until everything is finished.
You can now expose the film to light, so you remove the tank lid and let the film sit in cold running water for 5 minutes. Then I left the film to dry for 20mins.
I could now develop my pictures. First you make a contact print of you film. You put it into a film holder, have it under the light for 2 seconds move the card, 2 seconds again until you have exposed the whole area with light.
After you have done that you put it in the developer for 5minutes, then stop bath for 1minute, the fixer for 10minutes then wash for 20 minutes.
Once it has been the fixer you are then able to take it out into the lights and check which length of time is correct for the exposure and chose which image you want to develop.
After choosing an image you put the film in the holder and enlarger. Turn the light on so you can see the image and measure it up for the right size you want it and focus it.
You do a test strip so you know what the correct exposure for that picture is. Repeat the process of having it under the light partly covered with card for 2 seconds, then moving the card along again ect.
Then go through the same process as before to develop the image.
After knowing the right exposure you then work out how long and then use that in your final image.
Mine was 5 seconds I also didn’t use a filter.
Then again after the process to develop the image you leave to wash for 20mins then put it through a dryer which dries them instantly.
At first I really found it all quite complicated however I have got the hang of it and really enjoyed it so film photography is starting to win me over.