Cold Film Storage
By Carol BehrmannBy now, most folks know that airport x-ray checks can ruin their film but did you know that heat can be just as destructive? Film is made of highly sensitive and reactive chemicals. Letting film sit in the sun or the heat can quickly cook it. Heat messes up the chemical make-up of the film. In the heat, the emulsion decays causing the colors to change, resulting in some strange looking photos.
To protect your film, always keep it in a cool place. For film that you intend to use in the next several weeks, keep it indoor or in the shade, when you.re outside. If you.re traveling, keep a small ice chest in your car. The insulation will keep the ice chest as well as your camera and film at a reasonable temperature for short periods of time. There.s no need for ice (that would cause a whole other set of problems).
For film you don.t plan to use quickly, storing it in the refrigerator or freezer will keep it fresh even longer. Film will actually be good for at least a year beyond its expiration date when it.s kept in the freezer. Note that freezing will protect exposed film from heat damage as well.
Just remember that chilled film cannot be used right away. This goes for film you.ve had outside during the winter as well as film from the refrigerator or freezer. Cold film should be warmed up to room temperature before you use it. Film from the freezer is brittle and might tear. Unless it is warmed (preferably in a closed film canister), condensation forms on the film causing water drops on your pictures or causing the film to stick together and tear. Kodak recommends waiting an hour before using film from the refrigerator and one and a half hours for film from the freezer.
| Carol Behrmann is a semi-professional photography who travels extensively. She has 20 years experience photographing around the world. Her work encompasses everything from sporting events, people, wild life, landscapes and underwater. |