First I have to mention the creator of this crazy and zany approach to developing film, because I would never have thought of it, even in my wildest dreams. And my search on the internet really didn’t lead me to the originator, but it did lead me to PhotoJojo whom I would have to say really pushed this idea forward into the public realm.
Below is the very condensed version of this process. It has been adapted from the instructions from the workshop handout by Glen Hodges, Jr. of Specialty Color Services:
INGREDIENTS:
1. Instant Coffee Crystals (not decaf) – 5 teaspoons
2. Vitamin C Powder – 1/2 teaspoon
3. Soda Ash /Washing Soda (Na2 CO3) or 100% Sodium Carbonate
(this can be found at a pool supply store)
4. Distilled water or tap water – about 2 gallons @ room temperature
EQUIPMENT: The normal darkroom developer items
1. daylight developing tank and reel
2. bottle opener – to pry open the film real if using 35mm
3. measuring beakers
4. fixer
5. timer, clothespins, scissors, squeegee (or you can use your fingers)
STEPS TO CREATE THE DEVELOPER:
1. Mix the Vitamin C & Coffee in a glass with 6 ounces of water. Stir until all of the crystals and grains of both ingredients are completely dissolved. It is best to use HOT water for dissolving both items, because then you will know that all the granules are dissolved well. However, this means you will then need to cool down the mixture to a normal 68˚F – but we will get to that in step 3
2. Mix the Soda ash (sodium carbonate) in a separate glass with 6 ounces of water and stir until completely dissolved
3. When ready to make the final developer, combine both liquids in a beaker larger enough to contain both mixes. Cool the water down to 68˚F – this can be down more rapidly by putting the beaker (or whatever container you have combined both liquids in) into a bucket of ice or ice water.
DEVELOPING:
Total processing time is about 14 minutes – set your timer! Pour the combined liquids (aka the developer) into the processing tank. Agitate constantly for the first minute (see NOTE 1 below). After the first minute, agitate the tank 3 times per minutes until the remaining 13 minutes are completed.
STOP:
When the developing time is complete, pour out the developer and fill the tank with water. Agitate 6 times and then pour out the water. Repeat this step 2 more times.
FIXING:
Pour out the water and fill the tank with fixer. Fix for 5 minutes and agitate throughout the fix time – 3 agitations per minute.
FINAL WASH:
Pour out the fixer and fill the tank with water. Agitate 3 times and pour out the water. Refill the tank with fresh water and agitate 6 times. Pour out, refill and agitate 12 times. Pour out the last amount of water and your developing process is complete! You are now ready to remove the reel and film from the tank to dry. It is recommended this be in an area that doesn’t have a lot of dust particles (a shower stall in a bath that doesn’t get heavy traffic flow is a great recommendation) or wind. It is also recommended that the film, once hung, be squeegeed to remove excess water drips.
NOTE 1:
Agitating: Most of us have been taught to ‘agitate’ by turning our developing tank upside down, giving it a 1/4 to 1/2 twist rotation and then turn the tank back to its original position – this entire action is one full agitation. However, with the coffee based developer, no rotation should be performed during the upside down/right side up process. According to Glen Hodges, Jr, any rotation causes streaks and/or striations to occur on the film. In most cases this is not a desired effect – but, you may want to experiment and try it!
RESOURCES:
For a more concise and complete explanation of all these steps, with pictures to guide you through the entire process, please visit PhotoJojo’s tutorial. To see how all of this work’s using coffee as a print developer, please visit Tom Overton’s website. He has done some testing with different papers, including fiber based papers, and posted his comments and experimentations here.
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