Gelatin is a Key Ingredient in Producing Photographs

Creating and preserving memories for today, tomorrow and forever

Gelatin emulsions first replaced the collodion wet process for photographic processing in 1870. This was done by Dr. Maddox, of England, because the gelatin emulsions could be dried, and therefore did not require immediate use.  Through the years, as a result of process development by companies like Eastman Gelatine, gelatin emulsions have benefited from continuous improvement in quality and speed.  To date, gelatin remains the best medium for manufacturing photographic emulsions.  Its special properties make gelatin optimal for high-speed photographic films, especially for the high sensitivities required for medical X-ray products and color films.

Key ingredient in the photographic process

Gelatin serves multiple functions in the preparation of silver emulsions because it:

1. Acts as a protective colloid during the precipitation of the silver halides
2. Acts as a major factor in controlling the size of the silver halide grains
3. Protects the halide grains in the reducing action, thus lowering the grains to metallic silver in proportion to their exposure to light

Sample product uses:

• Ink Jet & color laser printing paper
• X-ray films
• Photographic papers
• Consumer and professional films