After you’ve shot your roll of color negative film (see cross process link above for color positive processing in C-41) bring your film down to the cave and put it in the drop box! Envelops are provided to the left of it.

From there the film is collected daily (around 8) and brought up Carson in the processing room working with the RA-4 machine

Lab Tech Carson Sanders and Workstudy Katie Sivits

Using a double tagging method the film is sorted by size and matched with the correct envelop.

Carson working with the computer to get the machine ready to go

Carson pointing out the various film types, roll amounts, and times associated with developing the film. The entire development process is done automatically on a timer.

Carson breaks out the only schematics for the C-41 terminal if it was ever to breakdown or malfunction.

Once the computer is ready to go it’s into the developing room with the film! A single person revolving door separates the spaces.

Once inside the film is “Shucked” from it’s cassette in order to prep it for the chemical baths. It’s then draped over the carriers (top right).

After the film has been draped over the rollers it’s then loaded into the que when it’ll await processing.

The collection of baths ready to develop!

Carson looks on as the automated arm picks up a roller for processing (obviously i couldn’t get a shot of the film at this stage)

Once the developing process is complete the film gets dunked in a final wash bath and makes its way out of the machine and into the next room.

Once the film is finished it hits a preliminary drying rack under the C-41 terminal. Once it’s dry enough it’ll be brought out for a final drying.

The dry film being hung momentarily before the cutting and sleeving.

The film will hang until the tips are dry and can be sleeved.

Workstudy Katie Sivits begins the sleeving process. Thanks to so much interest in getting film developed (all those summer rolls!) she’s had to resort to 120mm sleeves for the time being.

Katie removes the clips from the now dry film before the sleeving.

A final Inspection of the film in the light to make sure it lacks in dust and was processed evenly.

Cut film ready to to be matched and bagged.

Carsons desk.

After it’s all finished (typically out of the machine by 4pm) it’s brought down to the cave to await pickup from you! Just be sure to mention your name and that you’re picking up film.