Photographer Dmitri Tcherbadji of Analog Cafe recently made headlines in the photography world by developing a roll of film using cannabis flower, marking 4/20, an international celebration of all things weed. Living in a part of Canada where cannabis is legal, Dmitri wanted to test the theory that almost anything could be used to develop film. He collaborated with Daren from @LearnFilmPhotography and Yvonne from @YvonneHansonPhotography to experiment with other unusual elements such as blood, pond water, wood, flowers, and even urine.
Dmitri explained that cannabis sativa strains are rich in phenols, making them ideal for film development. He shared that compared to coffee, which is a common base for home developers, cannabis requires less by weight to achieve comparable results. Using an ethanolic extraction method, Dmitri suspended the cannabis flower in a solution to create a film developer he calls Sativa Cannanol.
In a controlled studio environment, Dmitri shot over 200 photos on a Pentax K1000 and developed multiple rolls of Ilford HP5+ in Sativa Cannanol for 420 seconds at 69 degrees Fahrenheit. He then compared the results with other organic developers in an intriguing comparison chart, where Sativa Cannanol ranked fifth in shadow detail resolution.
Despite the novelty and eco-friendliness of homemade developers, Dmitri noted that developing film with cannabis isn’t very practical due to its cost and lower potency. However, he highlighted that cannabis can produce detailed and well-resolving images if used correctly.
For those interested in trying this unconventional method, Dmitri shared his Sativa Cannanol Film Developer Recipe, which involves soaking 1.5g of cannabis flower in isopropyl alcohol, then mixing it with washing soda, vitamin C, and water.
Dmitri’s experiment adds to the creative and experimental side of film photography, showing that innovation knows no bounds, even in the darkroom.
