Position:Home>Visual Arts> What is true black and white film?

Okay, color film uses a process called "C-41" to be developed!. There are some C-41 films that give black and white pictures!. Most 1 hour photo labs will only develop film that uses the C-41 process!. The film gives black and white pictures, but it uses the same chemicals as a regular color film!. Someone else mentioned a black and white C-41 film that Kodak makes!.

But there are also films that are "true" black and white!. This means that the film itself only captures images in black and white, and shades of gray!. They are silver-based!. I know you didn't want to get too technical about this and just wanted to keep it simple!. But basically all you need to know is that when the film is exposed to light, it captures an image in dark and light!. The image on the film itself is a pure black and white image!.

The problem is that if you try to develop black and white film with C-41 chemicals, it will actually destroy the image, because C-41 chemicals will bleach the film!. So you need chemicals that are specifically for black and white film!.

True black and white film is considered traditional, and that is really what you want to use for black and white pictures!. The problem is that most 1-hour photo labs won't develop B&W film anymore!. So you will either have to develop it yourself, or send it out to a photo lab to have it developed!. There are a lot of photo labs that will process black and white film, you'll just have to look online!. One place I can think of is Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas!. They have a website, just look it up on Google!. But like I said, there are a lot of other labs too!.

If you really get into photography and like taking pictures in B&W, you might want to learn how to develop black and white film yourself sometime!. It really isn't that hard to do!.

EDIT: Okay, maybe this will help a little!. Just to compare, I looked on Google, and here is a picture I found that shows negatives from a true black and white film:

http://www!.countylegalservices!.co!.uk/neg!.!.!.

And here are negatives from a color film:

http://photodoto!.com/wp-content/uploads/!.!.!.

Notice the difference!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I think what he means is the way the film is developed!. "False (!?)" black and white film can be processed just like color film (C-41)!. "True" black and white film will have to be sent off to be developed differently!. If you have the right chemicals and materials, it can be developed at home with a developing tank or you can send it out!. Places like Walmart usually have envelopes that you can use to send out the film!. They should have a place to mark which type of film it is!.

If you want film that can be developed in the store in the 1 hour processing, look for the C-41 processing!. It should say c-41 somewhere on the back!. Kodak's look something like this:
http://www!.amazon!.com/Kodak-Professional!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Black & white film such as Ilford XP2 Super and Kodak BW400CN are what's called "C-41 Compatible"!. This means that they can be processed in the same chemicals as color print film!.

"Real" black & white film such as T-Max or Plus-X or Tri-X have to be developed in chemicals that are for black and white only!.

A very long time ago I had my own darkroom!. Now, when I choose to shoot black & white I use Ilford XP2 Super or Kodak BW400CN!. Perhaps one day I'll set up another darkroom!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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True black and white film is film that is processed using black and white chemistry as opposed to black and white film that is designed to be processed in colour chemistry (C-41)Www@QuestionHome@Com

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