Photographic materials and equipment have gone through many, many changes in the last ten (even five) years. The traditional way of taking photos (developing negatives with chemicals) has been all but replaced by the use of digital photography. This equipment, though seemingly more complex, is actually much easier and faster than the “old” way; you are even able to see the photos before you save and print them. Besides personal use, photographic materials and equipment are used extensively in the medical industry, primarily for x-rays and related processes.

There are still applications for the traditional applications in our increasingly digitised world; namely, in medicine and professional photography. Besides the actual camera, the other materials used include photosensitive paper or film and photographic emulsion solution. When a camera captures an image, that image is transferred onto the light-sensitive paper (film) and soaked in emulsion; this process allows the negatives to be turned into photos. The two main types of film are orthochromatic film and panchromatic film; the first is sensitive to blue, green and violet light; the second is sensitive to all colours.

Photographic equipment comes in many, many forms; sizes range from palm-sized (or smaller) to medical equipment such as x-ray machines. Besides x-ray machines, the other main uses of medical photographic equipment are documentation of surgical procedures, and dentistry.

Photographic materials and equipment have been a part of our culture for hundreds of years, and, even as technology continues to change and advance, these materials will continue to evolve as well.