ABSTRACT

This chapter provides the fundamental background in terms of equipment and methodology necessary to begin experimenting with nonprepared photographic formulas. Many photographers already have most of the items needed to prepare their own formulas. These include graduates, mixing containers, stirring rods or paddles, a funnel, an accurate thermometer, opaque storage bottles, protective gear, and a well-ventilated area that is not used for preparing food and is free from children and animals. Most photographic solutions have a definite pH, which is a way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a chemical. Older formulas in British publications use still another system called British Imperial Liquid Measurement. Many older formulas may be written in only one system, so it is often necessary to translate from one system to the other. In some formulas the amount of a chemical may be too small to be weighed accurately, so the amount is given as a percentage solution, or in terms of weight per volume.