Chemistry plays a crucial role in how photographs and images are created using film.

Photography is based on chemical reactions initiated by light. The chemical processes that create a traditional film photograph start inside the camera with the absorption of photons (the individual particles of light). However, photochemistry alone is not able to produce an image. Development is continued through chemical reactions. The result is either a negative image that can be used to make a print, or a positive image that we call a slide.

Modern photography captures the image digitally using semiconductor electronic devices.

Digital images are assembled from millions of individual electronic pixels.

Cal ACS at the Solano Stroll – Sunday, September 8th

We had a great day at the Stroll — check out the photo gallery!

Science in the Park returns to Cal State University East Bay in Hayward on Saturday, October 5th

It was a great day for science outreach – see the report and photo gallery.

News from our Student Chapter at CSU Stanislaus:

Cal ACS provided NCW supplies to the Warriors Chemistry Club at CSU Stanislaus for tabling in the center of the campus, a school-wide event called “Fall in Love with your Major.” The following week was National Chemistry Week, and Chemistry Club officers tabled the entire week advertising the wonders of Photochemistry and selling the American Chemical Society Study Guides. The faculty and students were able to get together and celebrate Mole Day. That same Saturday, they performed photochemistry experiments with 6^th to 8^th graders.

Click HERE to learn more about photography and find instructions for fun, safe, hands-on activities.