gif hydrochloric acidPLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY If you think that photographic chemicals come in bottles marked Ilford or Kodak, you may have to come to terms with a little basic chemistry when you start to explore old processes.

All you will need to know is which chemicals are used for the different processes and what sort of reactions are likely to occur. Some of the chemicals you will need to use are toxic, ie poisonous. Some are irritating to the skin, and some are corrosive (they burn).

However, if they are used according to the instruction guide in this manual, and sensible precautions added to a little common sense are observed when dealing with them, then they are no more dangerous than the chemicals already in your darkroom, your garage, or in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. If you treat chemicals with care and respect they can do you no harm.