Fotokemia

Fotokemia is a term used in photography that refers to the photochemical processes involved in capturing an image on light-sensitive material. This encompasses the reactions that occur when light strikes a silver halide emulsion, leading to the formation of a latent image. The latent image is an invisible change within the emulsion that can be made visible through a process of chemical development. This development stage involves specific chemical baths that convert the exposed silver halide crystals into metallic silver, thus forming the visible photographic image. Fixation is another crucial photochemical step that removes the unexposed silver halide, preventing further exposure and ensuring the permanence of the image. Historically, fotokemia was the fundamental principle behind analog photography, from early daguerreotypes to modern film. Understanding fotokemia is essential for comprehending how traditional photographic materials work and the science behind their transformation from light exposure to a tangible photograph.