Andrew Crocker Andrew Crocker

Wineol: Developing Film Using Wine

A Boozy Way to Develop Film

“Checking Me Out” by Author; Rolleiflex 3.5A Type II Tessar 75mm f/3.5; Kodak TMAX 100; developed with wineol, 30 minutes/10-second agitation each

Photography has come a long way since the days of the camera obscura. And while digital technology may have taken over, film photography continues to be the chosen medium for those of us who like to keep things old school.

But let’s be honest, the cost of constantly developing film can add up faster than you can say “analog is the future.”

But wait, what’s this? A solution to all your financial woes?

Well, not really. But it’s fun, anyway.

Developing film with WINE. That’s right, folks: fermented grapes can bring your negatives to life.

Let us delve.

“Wreath for Hanging” by Author; Rolleiflex 3.5A Type II Tessar 75mm f/3.5; Kodak TMAX 100; developed with wineol, 30 minutes/10-second agitation each

Developing film with wine is known as “Wineol” and is a unique process that uses the organic acids, tannins, and other substances found in wine to bring your negatives to life.

However, the key ingredient in this process is caffeic acid, found in red wine (and coffee, hence, caffenol) and responsible for the distinctive look and feel of images developed with wine.

Wineol development is relatively simple and can be done with a few essential tools and supplies. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, developing film with wine is a fun and affordable way to add a unique twist to your photography.

“The Ladies Just Chilling’” by Author; Rolleiflex 3.5A Type II Tessar 75mm f/3.5; Kodak TMAX 100; developed with wineol, 30 minutes/10-second agitation each

Let’s collect the materials:

  • Film negatives (obviously)

  • 500 ml red wine (preferably a cheap, low-quality wine—otherwise, it’s alcohol abuse)

  • 30g Washing Soda

  • 5g Vitamin C powder

  • Funnel

  • Graduated cylinder

  • Film processing canister

  • Film Fixer

And here’s what you do:

  1. Pour 500 mL of the wine into a beaker or measuring glass. Mix in the washing soda and vitamin C powder. Let rest for 5 mins. The mixture should turn blueish and smell . . . ungodly.

  2. Pour mix into film processing canister and agitate for the first 30 seconds.

  3. Set the timer for 30 mins.

  4. Each minute, agitate for 10 seconds.

  5. Pour out mixture and rinse the film thoroughly with water.

  6. Add fixer for 8 mins, agitating every 50 seconds for 10 seconds.

  7. Dry and hang as usual, then enjoy the winery effects.

The final images will have a unique look and feel compared to traditional film development methods. The wine developer can produce a soft, dreamy, and almost surreal effect owing to its reduced contrast. It’s a great way to experiment with different film developing techniques and produce unique and exciting results.

In conclusion, developing film with wine is a cost-effective and simple alternative to traditional film development methods. It’s a fun and creative way to experiment with film photography, and the results can be truly stunning.

So next time you have a bottle of cheap red wine lying around—if there’s such a thing—why not try wineol and see what unique images you can create?

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