LECTURE THREE

It is possible to develop photographic film with plants. Flowers, seeds, or leaves, in a combination of household ingredients like washing soda (sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can be an effective biodegradable substitute to toxic synthetic developers. Basically what we are looking for in a potential developing agent is its capability to donate an electron to the silver halide emulsion that creates the image in the acetate film. Plants and their components that are rich in terpenoid or phenolic compounds are excellent candidates to work as an efficient developing agent. Spearmint contains it in the form of catechol, Thyme contains thymol, Oregano contains catechol and hydroquinone, the hyacinth flower contains hydroquinone, but these are just a few plants in a huge list. The magic happens by finding the most accessible and easiest plant to work within your area.

Ricardo Leite, filmmaker from Portugal, conducted research at the Faculty of Fine Arts-University Porto into a combination of organic chemistry with simple and innovative techniques for application in photochemical processes. Not only in response to ecological issues, but also to create opportunities for (experimental DIY) filmmakers in countries where there is no access to conventional chemistry and no waste management policy.

LECTURE 2

LECTURE 3

LECTURE 4

LECTURE 5

LECTURE 6

LECTURE 1