Develop Film with Plants

A Two-Part Video Workshop on Plant-Based Film Development

Make your own developer. Learn to process your film. Work with what grows around you.

This pre-recorded workshop set guides you through the full process of developing black and white film using plant-based chemistry — from gathering and extracting plant material to developing, fixing, and washing your film with confidence.

Designed for analogue photographers interested in experimental, low-toxicity, and ecologically attuned darkroom practices, this workshop offers a clear, practical introduction to plant-based film development using accessible materials and adaptable methods.

No prior experience with alternative developers is required.

About the Session

This lesson is designed for those new to film developing or for photographers seeking a clear, structured refresher. Working one-to-one allows the pace and focus of the session to respond directly to your experience level and questions.

The emphasis is on understanding the process, not just following steps, so you leave with the confidence to develop film on your own.

What You Will Learn

Part One: Making a Plant-Based Film Developer

In the first video, you’ll learn how to create a working black and white film developer using plants rich in natural phenols.

You’ll be guided through:

Choosing suitable plant material (herbs, flowers, medicinal plants, seaweeds)
Understanding phenols and their role in film development
Two extraction methods: boiling and overnight steeping
Straining and preparing plant extracts
Mixing the developer using ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium carbonate
Adjusting measurements for different forms of washing soda
Troubleshooting common issues and preparing the solution for use

This session focuses on clarity, adaptability, and understanding the process, so you can confidently experiment with plants available in your own environment.

Part Two: Developing Your Film

The second video walks you through developing your black and white film using the plant-based developer you’ve made.

You’ll learn:

How to determine development time using a simple drop test
How to translate the test result into a full development time
Agitation methods for consistent results
Using water or diluted vinegar as a stop bath
Fixing with standard black and white fixer
Washing and finishing your film safely

This session demystifies timing and workflow, giving you a repeatable method for working with alternative developers while still achieving readable, usable negatives.

What’s Included

Two pre-recorded video workshops
- Making a Plant-Based Film Developer
- Developing Black and White Film with a Plant-Based Developer
Materials lists for each session
Clear step-by-step demonstrations
Lifetime access, revisit the process anytime

Who This Workshop Is For

Analogue photographers curious about alternative or historical processes
Artists interested in plant-based, low-toxicity darkroom practices
Students and educators exploring experimental photographic methods
Photographers wanting to deepen their understanding of film chemistry through hands-on making

You don’t need a fully equipped darkroom, just basic film-processing tools and curiosity.

Why Plant-Based Developers?

Plant-based developers offer a slower, more attentive way of working with film. They invite experimentation, local knowledge, and a deeper relationship with materials, while still producing functional negatives that can be scanned or printed.

This workshop is not about perfect replication or industrial consistency. It’s about learning a process well enough to adapt it, question it, and make it your own.