DSP INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, KAMOTHE
Lead to Serve
CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Topic: Black and white photography
Name: Krishav Maurya
Standard: XII
Roll No.:
DSP INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
SECTOR-09, KAMOTHE, PANVEL,
NAVI MUMBAI,
RAIGAD DISTRICT
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr. Krishav Maurya
Student of class XII has successfully completed the project
…………………………………………………………
…………………………… Under the guidance
of………………………………………………………
…….. During year 2024-2025.
……………………
……..
Teacher In-charge Principal
Acknowledgment
This is to acknowledge all those without whom this project
would not have been reality. Firstly I thank my respected
PRINCIPAL MAM for providing everything I required for my
project. I Would wish to thank our teacher in charge who
gave this immense support, dedicated his time towards it and
made us understand how to make project. Without her
guidance, this project would have been incomplete. I would
like to thank my parents, principal, friends, who helped my
getting this different information, collecting materials and
guiding me at this time making this project a grand success....
I am very thankful to everyone who all supported me, for I
have completed my project effectively and moreover on time.
I am overwhelmed in all humbleness and gratefulness to
acknowledge my depth to all who have helped me to put
ideas well..
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.Project Work
o Requirements
o Theory
o Procedure
o Observations
3.Conclusion
4. Result
5.Bibliography
Introduction
Black and white photography, one of the earliest
forms of photographic imaging, relies on chemical
reactions to capture and develop images. Before the
age of digital photography, black and white
photography was the primary method to record
images, involving the use of light-sensitive materials
and specific chemical processes. In this project, we
explore the chemical principles behind black and white
photography, the materials and processes involved, and
how light and chemicals interact to produce an image.
This project combines concepts from chemistry,
particularly photochemistry, to illustrate how science
has allowed us to capture moments in time.
Project Work
Requirements
Materials for Black and White Film
Photography:
o Silver nitrate (AgNO₃)
o Gelatin (for the emulsion)
o Light-sensitive film or photographic
paper
o Developer solution (containing
hydroquinone or metol)
o Stop bath (acetic acid solution)
o Fixer solution (sodium thiosulfate, also
known as hypo)
o Darkroom or dim red light (to prevent
premature exposure)
Theory
The chemistry behind black and white
photography relies on light-sensitive silver halide
crystals, such as silver bromide (AgBr), embedded
in a gelatin layer on photographic film or paper.
When exposed to light, these crystals undergo a
photochemical reaction where silver ions are
reduced to elemental silver, forming a latent
image that becomes visible after development.
Photochemical Reaction:
o When exposed to light, silver bromide
(AgBr) decomposes, forming metallic
silver (Ag) and bromine ions (Br⁻):
2 AgBr + Light 2Ag+ Br2
o This reaction produces a latent image on
the film, which can be developed into a
visible black and white photograph.
Procedure
1. Preparation of the Film or Photographic Paper:
o Apply a light-sensitive emulsion containing silver halide
crystals (like AgBr) to the surface of the film or photographic
paper.
o Allow it to dry in a dark room to avoid premature exposure.
2. Exposure:
o Place the prepared film or photographic paper in a camera or
use it directly with a light source.
o Light hitting the film causes silver halide crystals to break
down, forming a latent image.
3. Development:
o Place the exposed film in a developer solution (e.g.,
hydroquinone or metol).
o The developer reduces the exposed silver halide crystals to
black metallic silver, making the image visible.
4. Stop Bath:
o Place the developed film in a stop bath, typically a dilute
acetic acid solution, to halt the development process.
5. Fixing:
o Submerge the film in a fixer solution (usually sodium
thiosulfate) to dissolve any remaining unreacted silver halide
crystals, stabilizing the image on the film.
6. Washing and Drying:
o Rinse the film in water to remove excess chemicals and then
dry it in a dark space.
Observations
The final black and white image results from
areas of metallic silver where light was most
intense.
The clarity and contrast of the image
depend on the exposure length, silver halide
concentration, and development time.
Light-exposed areas appear darker due to
higher silver content, while less-exposed
areas remain lighter, producing shades of
black, white, and gray.
Results
Through this experiment, we successfully produced a
black and white photographic image using a silver
halide emulsion. The exposure of silver halide
crystals to light and the subsequent development
process effectively illustrated the principles of
photochemistry. Darker areas on the film were
observed where light exposure was highest, while
lighter areas indicated minimal exposure, resulting in
a gradient of black, white, and gray tones. The
quality and contrast of the image depended
significantly on factors such as exposure time,
developer solution concentration, and the duration
of each processing step.
This experiment demonstrated that controlled
chemical reactions in a darkroom environment allow
for precise image formation, emphasizing the
importance of each stage in black and white film
processing. The final photograph reflected how silver
particles accumulate in proportion to the light
exposure, with darker areas containing more silver.
Conclusion
This project on black and white photography highlights
the intricate chemistry involved in capturing and
developing images. By examining each stage—from
exposure to development and fixation—we observed how
light-sensitive silver halide crystals produce a latent image
that becomes visible through a series of controlled
chemical reactions. These reactions are central to the
process, transforming light energy into a stable
photographic print by using photochemistry.
Our exploration of black and white photography revealed
that each step is essential for producing a high-quality
image, with development time, exposure, and chemical
concentration all influencing the final result. This chemical
process, a foundation of traditional photography,
emphasizes both scientific precision and creativity in
capturing images.
In conclusion, black and white photography represents a
powerful intersection of science and art. Understanding
the chemistry behind it not only enhances appreciation
for traditional photographic techniques but also shows
how early photographers used science to achieve lasting
visual records. This knowledge underscores how chemical
principles have contributed significantly to advancements
in photography and visual media.
Bibliography:
Chemistry of Photography: Principles and
Processes, by Charles H. Thorpe.
The Physics and Chemistry of Photography, by T.
Thorne Baker.
Articles and online resources on the chemistry
of black and white film processing.
Educational websites like Britannica, Khan
Academy, and other reliable sources for
chemical processes in photography.
THANK YOU
