Traveling With Film

October-November 2002

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Chris Hudson

Are you heading off to some far flung, tropical paddling paradise this winter? Will you be taking a camera along to record your adventure with photographs? Have you thought about how valuable those photographs will be to you and your paddling companions when you get home? It makes sense to treat your film as you would any of the other valuable belongings you travel with. Even more so, since after you've taken your pictures you probably won't have the opportunity to repeat that paddling trip and you will almost certainly not be able to recapture those photographic moments.

Unfortunately, film is perishable. Just like that carton of milk going green in the back of your refrigerator, it has a 'best before' date. There are also a number of other factors that will speed up the souring of your film (usually in the form of fogging, a shift in color balance, loss of contrast or a change in speed/ISO). The main culprits you will likely be dealing with are heat, humidity, abrasives and the dreaded airport security. Here are some things you can do to help ensure that the pictures on your film will look as good as they possibly can:

• Always have film developed by its process before date.

• Avoid the use of professional films. Consumer grade films in general, are much more tolerant of lengthy delays in processing and less than perfect storage conditions.

• If you will be traveling/paddling in a situation where you won't be able to keep your film out of the tropical heat, keep it in a small cooler bag and open it up at night when the air is a little colder.

• Keeping your film sealed in its original plastic canister will help protect it from high humidity levels. Once the film has been removed from its canister, keep it in an airtight container or bag with a packet of silica gel.

• Keep your camera clean and free of grit at all times. Pay particular attention while you are camped on that sandy atoll in the South Pacific or the desert beaches of Baja. Be extremely careful of abrasives like dust and sand while you have your camera open to change film.

AIRPORTS

The other issue you and your film will have to grapple with, if you are flying to your put-in, is airport security. Here is a list of things that all travelers should be aware of before heading out to the airport with their bags packed full of film:

• Do not pack your film in luggage that will be checked in. Checked bags are routinely screened by Computed Tomography (CT) and Explosive Detection Systems (EDS). Film unlucky enough to be scanned by these devices will definitely suffer significant damage.

• The x-ray machines that inspect carryon luggage in North America are, for the most part, safe for film up to about 400 ISO. However, the effects of the x-rays are cumulative; most film will start to show fogging after being scanned more than four times.

• Carry your film with you and politely ask to have your film hand inspected. Pack your film in a clear plastic bag to facilitate an easy inspection. In North America you shouldn't have any problems having your request granted.

• Outside of North America there is no standard to x-ray machines and getting a hand inspection done is definitely not guaranteed.

• Lead lined bags or pouches will help lessen the damaging effects of x-ray machines on film packed in your carry-on bags. But the pouches will not protect your film from the high intensity x-rays your film may encounter in checked baggage.

• If possible have your film processed before your flight home.

• The metal detector that you walk through and the hand held device the security guard uses will not affect film.

• Processed / developed film and digital media are not affected by x-rays Keep in mind that the security staff in airports are not there to make your life difficult or ruin your photos. They are performing a vitally important and difficult duty. Be as polite, patient and helpful as you can and everyone will be better off for it.

© Chris Hudson is a freelance photographer recently replanted in Vancouver. He also runs outdoor adventure/wilderness kayaking trips in the Queen Charlotte Islands and on Princess Royal Island. chris_hudson@canada.com.