Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Silver halide crystals are combined with gelatin and are referred to as what?

1. Emulsion

2. Film stock

3. Collodion

4. Resin

The correct answer is: Emulsion

Silver halide crystals combined with gelatin form what is known as an emulsion. This emulsion is crucial in photographic processes, as it allows for the capture of images when exposed to light. The silver halide crystals are light-sensitive particles that facilitate the chemical reactions necessary for image formation. Once exposed to light and then developed, the emulsion reveals the latent image, which is made visible and permanent. Understanding the role of the emulsion is key in photography, as it provides the medium for capturing images on film. Film stock refers more broadly to the physical film material that may consist of layers, including the emulsion. Collodion is a specific type of photographic medium that predates modern film emulsion and doesn’t describe the mixture of silver halides and gelatin. Resin is a plastic material that may be used in some photographic supports, but it does not relate to the light-sensitive aspects of capturing images.