Sol-Kissed Bokashi

Shauheen Daneshfar

This exposition delves into the realm of sustainable material reuse, re-thinking and recycling material in still photography. The artist explores repurposing techniques through personal experiences, approaching Bokashi, a composting chemical to replenish C-41 development for colour-negative film. The exposition aims to reflect on alternative practices in photographic chemistry, recycling and repurposing materials. It is a sustainable artistic journey that aims to breathe new life into forgotten objects, expanding the discourse on environmental consciousness.

C-41 compounds:

Color Developer: The color developer contains a mixture of aromatic primary amines, such as p-Phenylenediamine (PDA) or Metol, and other chemicals. These compounds help to reduce the exposed silver halides and form metallic silver, while also activating the color-forming couplers in the film.

Preservative/Stabilizer: A preservative or stabilizer, often a compound like sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) or hydroxylamine sulfate (NH2OH·H2SO4), is added to the developer to prevent oxidation and maintain the stability of the working solution.

Alkali: An alkali, typically sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), is used to maintain the appropriate pH level of the developer solution, ensuring optimal development and color balance.

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