MART-601 Lessons

As students file into the Magical Art studio, they notice that Professor Rosenquist is nowhere in sight. Furthermore, there is a door in the back of the classroom with a sign on the door that says “Dark Room” that the bewildered students have never noticed before. It had been there the whole time, however to their credit, the door was hidden by several easels and other various art supplies. Before the students could wonder why it was purposefully revealed today, their attention is drawn to the loud, frantic clacking of shoes at the front of the classroom. Professor Rosenquist runs into the classroom carrying a cauldron. She plunks it onto the desk and starts taking various items out of it such as an older Muggle camera, film, chemicals, and various potion ingredients before withdrawing her wand. With a wave and a small mutter of an incantation, papers fly out of the cauldron, each one landing on a student’s desk. Upon closer inspection, it seems to be a recipe for a potion. Professor Rosenquist is breathing heavily, probably evident from the running she just did, and slowly realizes the entire class had their eyes on her. With a somewhat sheepish grin, Professor Rosenquist straightens up and addresses the class.

Sorry about that class! I was running late because I had to pick up an extra few supplies from Professor Draekon on my way here. The trek up to the fifth floor from the dungeons is quite daunting, especially if you are in a hurry! Today we will be looking at an artform common in both the magical and Muggle worlds: photography. Actually, the majority of the process is the same, but the difference lies within how a photograph is developed, which we will be discussing in a little bit. Make sure your quills are ready for notes, there will be quite a bit to write today!

Before we can understand cameras, we need to understand the natural optical phenomenon known as camera obscura, also known as a pinhole image. In its most basic definition, this is when light passes from an object or scene on the other side of a wall or screen through a small hole and is projected on the opposite surface as an inverted image. The reason the image is inverted is because light travels in a straight line, which can change if the light is reflected, and it is partially absorbed by an object, which lets it retain information about brightness and color of the surface of said object. These lines of light come from all different directions from the scene and when it is funneled through a small enough opening, whether it be a small hole in a wall or the pupil in your eye, they form a reflected image. This explanation is mapped out in the image above. This works similarly for modern cameras, but the light instead is mapped onto film and a chemical reaction occurs so that the picture is recorded. In order for the image to be clear, the surroundings needed to be pretty dark, thus many early camera obscura experiments were performed in dark rooms (which is what “camera obscura” means in Latin). The size of the hole affects the projected image’s sharpness and brightness as well.

Although camera obscura has only been used as an aid for drawing and painting since the late sixteenth century, written recordings about this phenomenon date back to the fourth or fifth century B.C.E. by philosophers such as Aristotle and Mozi. As an art aid, artists would sit in dark rooms, which ranged from being an actual room or tent to a box, and trace the reflected image in order to make it look as realistic as possible. These dark rooms were considered to be the first cameras (pinhole cameras), however, there was no way to record this image other than tracing it. This pushed Muggles to find ways to preserve images, and the more methods they invented, the smaller and better cameras got. Now they are widely available for public use and have even developed to the point that they are included on those touchscreen devices Muggles use to contact people. …I believe Professor Soleil informed me last week it was called a smartphone, though I’m not entirely sure how telephones are capable of being smart. I suppose that is a question for another time.

Although it was a Muggle invention, the wizarding population adopted cameras after their invention in the early to mid 1800s as they were a way to record an image unlike ever before. However, it is important to note that photographs are motionless, regardless of whether a wizard or Muggle takes it and whether or not the camera or film was produced by wizard families such as Ogilvy or Zeeban. The quantity of magic within the subject of the photograph does not make it “magical” either: you can photograph your magical classmate, the Muggle who lives down the street from you, or your cat sleeping on your keyboard and preventing you from doing work for your courses. The difference between the unmoving Muggle photographs and the animated magical photographs lies in the utilization of the Developing Solution in the development process, which causes the figures portrayed to emulate life.

Developing Solution was accidentally discovered in 1893 by Wilfrieda Montgomery in Erie, Pennsylvania. While processing an image she’d taken earlier that day in her potions lab, Ms. Montgomery accidentally spilled an early version of a new Energizer Potion she was researching in order to make her children’s toys dance of their own accord onto a photo she was developing. After wiping off the potion, she determined the photograph did not appear harmed, so she continued with the development. However, once she reached the end of the process, she was in for something of a shock. The photo, which was a carefully posed portrait of her two daughters “playing” with their toys, displayed the two girls enjoying themselves greatly, was suddenly moving. This had not been Wilfrieda’s intention, but she was fascinated by her discovery, and immediately went to the Magical Congress of the United States of America to see if this was something that had already been patented. Today, the Montgomery Movement Mix is still one of the most popular brands of Developing Solution.

Even though you can use a photograph taken with a Muggle camera and simply process it in Developing Solution, several models of charmed cameras made by wizard families do exist, though they are quite pricey. Now at this point you may be asking why the wizarding world has created many variations on cameras imbued with charms for an alarmingly high price, and you are right to question! Most charmed cameras are not useful for a witch or wizard who is simply taking pictures of their family trip to the Pyramids at Giza. If you are a magiarchaeologist however, a camera charmed with an imaging form will allow you to see through layers of rock and take a picture of what lies beneath instead of disturbing an area. Other enhanced cameras can aid the photographer with focus, clarity, and style, but again they cannot give the photograph any magical movement.

When looking at a magical photograph, you will notice that the photograph will act more like a brief recording of a few moments in time, or an event that moves in a continuous loop. In fact, one could argue that magical photographs more closely resemble Muggle films and movies than they do Muggle photographs. Although this type of movement may closely resemble our discussion of magical portraits earlier this year, I would like to make it clear that magical photographs act much more differently than magical portraits. Magical portraits are interactive and contain a certain amount of sentience based on what the artist knew of the subject, whereas magical photographs are not interactive nor sentient. They simply animate a small snippet of the moment that the photograph was taken.

While photography of any nature has a myriad of applications, there are two primary uses for magical photography that are the most prevalent in our society. Firstly, magical photography is infinitely more accessible to wizarding families who wish to preserve memories of their loved ones than magical portraiture. As you are already aware, magical portraits require a great deal of time and talent, and the resulting cost is often too high for the average wizarding family to be able to afford. Magical photographs on the other hand, still record the image of the loved one for a mere fraction of the cost. While the photograph may not be able to interact with the family, it can at least display a person or an event that brings happy memories to the viewer. Additionally, some persons may prefer a photograph over a portrait simply to avoid the tiresome ramblings of a family member who was well known for their long-windedness!

The second primary use of magical photography is in the media. Magical newspapers and magazines, such as the Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly, thrive on the use of magical photographs included in their articles. These photographs help to more accurately tell the story of what is happening in the wizarding world, as well as help the reader imagine themselves a part of the goings on in society.

There are many other uses for magical photographs. They can be seen in advertisements, posters, decorations, and even on novelty items such as Chocolate Frog cards! The important thing to remember is that, as an art form, magical photography is extremely versatile as well as highly accessible to the wizarding populace. Anyone with a camera can make a magical photograph, as long as they follow the proper developing process.

The last half of the class is going to be treated like a lab. We will be going over how to brew Magical Developing Solution as per the instructions that I have provided for you on your desk. Brewing this potion can be quite difficult, however, you are all Sixth Years so I don’t consider it to be too advanced at this point in your magical education. That being said, do not underestimate the level of complexity of this potion as it is certainly far from easy. There are toxic ingredients in this potion, so wearing your dragonhide gloves is a necessity. I hope you paid attention in your Potions class, let’s begin!

Developing Solution

Estimated Brewing Time:

Pewter cauldron: 100 minutes

Brass cauldron: 91 minutes

Copper cauldron: 77 minutes

Ingredients:

Three (3) sprigs of aconite

Fifteen (15) grams of bicorn horn

Four (4) dried Billywig stings

Two (2) butterfly wings

Three (3) dandelion heads

Twenty-five hundredths (0.25) tablespoons of mercury

Three and a half (3.5) tablespoons of potassium carbonate

Seven (7) tablespoons of sodium sulfite

Five hundred (500) ml of water

Instructions:

Part One:

1. Add 500ml of water to your cauldron and bring the heat to 315 Kelvin (42°C/107°F).
2. Add two Billywig stings and one sprig of aconite to your mortar.
3. Crush the ingredients with pestle until it is a fine, even powder. Ensure there are no chunks.
4. Add 1.5 tablespoons of this to the cauldron.
5. Add three tablespoons of sodium sulfite to the cauldron.
6. Add one tablespoon of potassium carbonate to the cauldron.
7. Increase the heat to 450 Kelvin (177°C/350°F) for 30 seconds, then reduce heat back to 315 Kelvin (42°C/107°F).
8. Stir with your wand two times in a clockwise direction.
9. Leave the potion to brew for 15 minutes. The potion should be a silvery color and emit a somewhat dull gold steam. (For a brass cauldron this would be 12 minutes, and for a copper cauldron this would be 8 minutes.) Note: During this time, you should thoroughly clean your mortar and pestle, as you will be using it again during the next steps. Ensure there is no residue, as this will affect the efficacy of your Developing Solution. Using the Maybe Mortar Charm learned in Year Two of Alchemy will make your life much easier during this step!

Part Two:

10. Add 15 grams of bicorn horn and two butterfly wings to the mortar.
11. Crush until a fine powder is created.
12. Add two tablespoons of this powder to the cauldron.
13. Add two tablespoons of potassium carbonate to the cauldron.
14. Add two tablespoons of sodium sulfite to the cauldron.
15. Stir four times in a counterclockwise direction.
16. Carefully add 0.25 tablespoons of mercury to the cauldron.
17. Bring the heat up to 380 Kelvin (107°C/224°F) for 15 seconds, then reduce heat back to 315 Kelvin (42°C/107°F).
18. Add two whole sprigs of aconite to the cauldron.
19. Leave the potion to brew for 35 minutes. The potion will at this time be a dusky blue color and may emit some red sparks. (For a brass cauldron this would be 32 minutes, and for a copper cauldron this would be 27 minutes.) Note: Your mortar and pestle should once again be thoroughly cleaned during this brewing period to prepare it for the final part of the brewing process.

Part Three:

20. Add two dried Billywig stings to the mortar.
21. Crush into a fine powder with the pestle.
22. Add one tablespoon of the powder to the cauldron.
23. Add two tablespoons of sodium sulfate to the cauldron.
24. Add 0.5 tablespoons of potassium carbonate to the cauldron.
25. Stir three times counter clockwise.
26. Add three dandelion heads to the cauldron.
27. Leave the potion to brew for 30 minutes. (For a brass cauldron this would be 27 minutes, and for a copper cauldron this would be 22 minutes.) After the potion is finished brewing, the solution should appear clear with some milky ripples in it. The smoke may be a slight lavender color.
28. Take the cauldron off the flame and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Note that we do not use Flobberworm mucus with the Developing Solution, as it makes it too thick to dip the photograph into and leaves unseemly streaking on the surface.
29. Transfer the Developing Solution into a clear vial with a funnel or a Siphoning Charm and label properly for storage.

Storage Notes:

After you have brewed the Developing Solution, it is ready for immediate use. This solution is a rather hardy potion that can survive at normal temperatures. It should not be exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold, but can weather most seasonal temperature fluctuations. It is best to use the Developing Solution within three years of brewing. It should still work after this time, but it can occasionally cause streaks on the photograph paper or subjects will display jerky movements within the picture. Keep the solution out of direct sunlight, as this can call it to take on a slightly orange tint that will impact your photographs when you try to use it.

Warnings:

It is a good idea to wear gloves when handling the Developing Solution. Most forms will not burn or stain your skin, but in some cases, it has been known to trigger an allergic reaction that leads to burning or rash. At this point, the solution has been well-enough perfected on a commercial level that allergic reactions are rare, and are typically only associated with those that use superfluous mundane ingredients to impact the scent of the potion. Avoid getting the solution anywhere near your face and do not swallow it, as it is poisonous. In the event that you accidentally ingest the Developing Solution, please go to a healer immediately for treatment. The Developing Solution should also never come in direct contact with your eyes. If you accidentally splash it into your eyes, rinse them out immediately and go to a healer to verify no permanent damage has been done. Do not directly inhale the fumes from the potion, and keep out of reach of children that may accidentally swallow it. If you are pregnant, it is wise to not use this potion, as the fumes are not healthy.

If you notice that the color of your Developing Solution is off, do not attempt to use it. Particularly if you notice pale green streaks, this could lead to your photos igniting in a large chemical blaze rather than turning into moving photos. If improperly brewed Developing Solution comes in contact with the skin, it could cause boils, lesions, and other painful afflictions. If you feel the potion may have been incorrectly brewed, please dispose of it in a safe, ecological manner and try the brewing process again.

Developing Photos:

When processing photographs, the Developing Solution is only one part of the entire process. Normally the process involves using several different chemicals, but wizards have found a way to brew the Developing Solution so that it encompasses the functions of these other chemicals. However, I will warn you, there is a little bit of science involved with another chemical needed to process the film (also known as a negative) but it’s nothing too complicated! First, it is essential that you do this process in a dark room with a safe light. As you may have noticed, we have one at the back of the classroom, however I will only be explaining the process rather than showing you as there simply isn’t enough room to fit all of us back there. Now, in order to develop photos, you will need to learn how to use a Muggle contraption called an enlarger to enlarge the image and see how long you have to expose your negative to light. Don’t worry, I will walk you through it!

The first thing you do before anything else is clean off the negative with an alcohol rinse spell. Then you load the negative in a negative carrier (a component of the aforementioned enlarger that grips the film parallel in place to the lens so that it avoids scratches) with the emulsion side down. What does that mean? Film is a plastic strip with a thin layer of emulsion on one side. The plastic side is the shiny side so do not put the shiny side down. The image on your negative should look backwards and upside down. Focus your picture by turning the knobs on the enlarger. Once the image is focused, you will need to figure out how much time you should expose your negative to light by using test strip paper. When you have settled with an exposure time that you like, load the full piece of paper onto the easel under the enlarger, turn on the light, and let it expose for the full amount of time that you set.

After you are satisfied with your print, fill up a tray with the Developing Solution and place the paper in it. At this stage, the Developing Solution is activating the light-sensitive silver crystals in the emulsion and any part of the paper exposed to light will turn a shade of black. Gently rock the tray back and forth for a short period of time; typically one minute for black and white photos and five minutes for color photos, though this may vary depending on the kind of Developing Solution used. This motion is comparable to stirring when brewing potions. After the allotted time of shaking the tray is up, simply tap on the tray with your wand twice to stop the paper from turning black. This also forces the Developing Solution to switch to animating the photograph. Go back to agitating the tray for thirty seconds to a minute before removing the paper from the tray. The Developing Solution works rather fast in this stage, and although you won’t get full movement from your photograph yet, you will start to see a slight hint of animation. Either cast a rinsing charm or simply rinse off the paper with water. Then fill up a tray with fixer, a substance which removes any unexposed crystals, makes it so that the photograph is light safe, and finalizes the process. Shake the tray for 45 seconds before taking the paper out and rinsing it again. It’s important that the print soaks in the fixer the full amount of time as photos will turn eventually yellow if they are not properly fixed.

From here, the process depends on what type of fixer you used. Although the standard fixers that Muggles use will still do the job, there is a chance that your photograph will not dry evenly, which may create marks. In that case, using a chemical called hypo clear will prevent this from happening. You would simply need to fill another tray with it, soak the paper, and rock the tray for thirty seconds before taking it out and rinsing it again. Or you can avoid the hassle of an extra step entirely by using a magical fixer that includes these functions and lessens the time it takes for the photograph to fully animate, though that can be a bit pricey depending on which brand of magical fixer you choose. After this, make sure that you get most of the water out of the paper and hang it to dry. As your print dries, you will see the image slowly start to move more and more, but for those of you who are impatient the Quick-Drying Charm will speed up the process. When the photograph completely dries, the image will be at full animation and you can give yourself a pat on the back for developing your first magical photograph.

Well, wasn’t that fun? Even though digging into the nitty gritty bits of processing photographs can be somewhat daunting, it becomes easier with practice. Plus, messing with chemicals can be quite fun! … Now that I think about it, of course I would be the one to say that considering my background. Nevertheless, be sure to grab your assignments on your way out today. Remember that they are due before we meet again. Class dismissed!

Original lesson written by Professors Liria Morgan and Lucrezia Batyaeva
Additional portions written by Professor Serafina Rosenquist