Film Developing FAQ

Your negatives will be see-through if the negative was never exposed to light. There will be no dark area in between the sprocket holes of the film. The most common cause of this problem is improper loading. If the film is not loaded properly, it will never be exposed because it will not be transported in front of the shutter. Check your camera's shutter to ensure it is opening. Check your camera's battery to ensure the light meter is functioning properly. Improperly setting the film's ASA, using too high of a shutter speed, or too small of an aperture can contribute to the film not receiving enough light for a properly exposed image. When using a disposable camera, this can be caused by not using a flash in dark conditions.

The negative was underexposed--there was not enough light to expose the film properly. Your negatives will be very faint or see-through, and your scans will be dark/faded, grainy, and low contrast. Check your camera's battery to ensure the light meter is functioning properly. Improperly setting the film's ASA, using too high of a shutter speed, or too small of an aperture can contribute to the film not receiving enough light for a properly exposed image. When using a disposable camera, this can be caused by not using a flash in dark conditions.

Your camera is not moving film from the canister to the uptake reel uniformly. Your negatives will either be overlapping or too far apart. Make sure you are loading your film correctly. If the problem persists, your film camera needs to be evaluated by a repairman.

Light is getting into your camera body. Typically, this is caused by faulty seals around the camera back. Check your negatives for faded or discolored streaks or bursts in a scan. Often, they will extend outside of the frame. Check the seals on your camera are light tight. Try shooting another roll if the seals look good. If the problem persists, your film camera needs to be evaluated by a repairman.

Yes, it is more cost effective for you and time efficient for us. As part of our film processing packages, we require that all film scan and printing charges be paid in advance. This policy ensures a smooth and efficient process, allowing us to develop your film and promptly provide the final images without tracking additional conversations regarding your preferences or taking the order out of line while waiting for confirmation or the additional payment required for those preferences. We kindly request that you make the decision regarding prints or scans prior to us facilitating film processing.

Additionally, if less than five images from your roll turn out, we will refund you for any prints or scanning you had originally paid for.

Yes, but it will take longer and may cost more. You have the option to order development only and once you pick-up your roll, you can create an entirely new order for scan and print services. However, ordering a la cart film services may cost more than opting for a processing package in the first place. A la carte orders typically involve more individualized attention and may be priced higher due to the additional time and handling. Our streamlined production process is designed to optimize efficiency, which is why bundling services within a package is the more economical and time efficient choice for the customer and for us.

In the unfortunate event, less than five images from your roll turn out, we are committed to ensuring fairness and quality. In such cases, we will provide you with a refund for any prints or scanning services for which you had initially made payment, along with consultation notes on what may have been the problem i.e. light leaks, over exposure etc. We will also still provide you with the 5 or less images that did turn out as a courtesy.

Film development costs are non-refundable. As these costs encompass the valuable time, expertise, and materials invested in the film development process, regardless of the outcome. Even when a roll turns out to be blank, our skilled team dedicates time and resources to the development procedure.

Yes, you have the option to receive your film back after development. We will hold your film for up to 60 days after the completion of the development process. This provides you with the flexibility to retrieve your film at your convenience, within that time frame.

When it comes to blank film, our policy is straightforward. If you have specifically requested the return of your film, we will save it for you as part of our standard practice. However, if you have indicated a preference for us to dispose of your film, we will typically plan to dispose of it. Unless you request to see your blank film within one week of the completion of our processing services.

At our lab, we process Color C-41 Process in the following formats: 35mm, 120, 110, & APS. We can also send out Black & White film for developing at a partner lab. If you're unsure about what type of film you have, give us a call! We're happy to help! 

No, we do not offer cross-processing services for film in our photo lab.

Black & white yes, color no. We offer the flexibility to push or pull film up to 2 stops, allowing you to achieve creative effects and adapt to different lighting conditions. However, it's essential to keep in mind that there are limitations to this process, depending on the type of film and the specific results you desire. We recommend discussing your specific needs with our knowledgeable team to ensure the best outcome for your project. We charge $5 per roll for push and pull processing.