The imaging area of today’s color-negative stocks has a minimum of eight light-sensitive layers and six or more non-imaging layers, combined for a total m thickness equal to half the diameter of a human hair. Each unique layer — made up of water, gelatin, silver, oily organic chemicals, reactive chemicals, dyes and microscopic crystals — must record the light that strikes the film’s surface for a fraction of a second and then simulate the way the human eye would actually see the image. The process that brings all these elements together takes place in total darkness and under conditions of strictest cleanliness. That process includes preparation of the chemicals, growing the microscopic crystals and coating the emulsion on literally miles of plastic sheeting, as well as cutting, spooling and packaging. And after the finished product has been exposed and developed, the film must be designed to remain stable for many decades!
