Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

In film processing, density refers to the amount of what built up in the negative?

1. Carbon

2. Silver

3. Light

4. Color

The correct answer is: Silver

In film processing, density specifically refers to the amount of silver that is deposited in the negative. When film is exposed to light, the silver halide crystals in the emulsion are altered. After development, those crystals that were exposed to more light darken the film more than areas that received less light. This difference in darkness creates what we perceive as density. Higher density indicates more silver has built up in that area of the negative, resulting in darker tones, while lower density indicates less silver and lighter tones. The other options do not accurately represent what affects the density in a negative. While light exposure is critical in the initial step of creating the image, it is the subsequent development process where the silver actually accumulates in the film’s emulsion to establish density. Carbon does not play a role in film density, and while color can influence how we perceive the image, it is not directly related to the concept of density in monochrome film processing. The measurement and manipulation of silver, therefore, is pivotal in understanding and controlling density in film.