To make photographic film, a thin strip of plastic is covered with a viscous material containing silver halide crystals. Because silver halide turns dark when exposed to light, photographic film is able to capture a "negative" image of that light---the more exposed sections of the film are darker than other sections.
Photographic Film
Photographic film is made of a plastic strip covered by thin layers of gelatin containing silver halide crystals, which chemically react to light, creating a photographic image.
Black & White Film
Black & White film uses only silver halide crystals, which capture a "negative" image by darkening where light hits them.
Color Film
In addition to using silver halide, basic color film also incorporates three compounds that change color when exposed to non-white light. These three compounds individually capture red, green, and blue---and together are able to make scores of different colors.
Invention of Photography
Photography was invented in the early 18th century by Joseph Niepce and then improved by Louis Daguerre, whose first photographs were captured on metal plates. In 1841, Englishman Henry Talbot invented paper photographs and the ability to make copies from "negative" images. In 1888, George Eastman invented the Kodak camera, which used photographic film that was rolled up in a box---similar to modern film.
Interesting Quote About Photographic Film
Charles-Francois Tiphaigne de la Roche foretold the invention of photographic film in his 1760 novel Giphantie.
Tags: silver halide, halide crystals, silver halide crystals, Black White, capture negative, capture negative image, containing silver
