The Film Photography Handbook, 3rd Edition, 3rd Edition

6 In the Laboratory

After shooting, the next step is developing the film. Basically, you have three options: an industrial laboratory, a professional lab, or processing the film yourself.

6.1    Industrial Laboratory

The most convenient option for developing is having someone else do it. One option is to use industrial labs. In the 1990s, there were quite a few of these around, but not many are left now. Industrial labs specialize primarily in processing color film, particularly color negative film, using the C-41 process. This process is standardized and can be done almost fully automatically by machines.

To send your color film to an ...