The basic steps in processing are

(1) development (to transfer the latent image into the visible image); (2) fixation
(to stop development and remove all remaining underdeveloped crystals and
unexposed crystals); (3) washing (to remove fixer to ensure archival quality);
and (4) drying.

Development
The film emulsion is now composed of two types of crystals: unexposed and
exposed. The developer selectively seeks out the exposed crystals containing a
development site made up of five atoms of interstitial silver and converts them to
black metallic silver. The entire crystal becomes metallic silver

Manual Acid Stop Bath. The acid stop bath, normally 2 to 3 percent acetic acid
solution, functions in several ways: it neutralizes alkaline developer by rapidly
lowering the pH to the point where development stops;

Fixing Agent. The function of the fixing agent is to form soluble stable complexes
of silver salts that can be removed readily from the emulsion. Fixing agents should
have no effect on the emulsion binder or on the already developed silver.

Thiosulfate, in the form of sodium or ammonium salts, is the usual fixing

agent.Sodium thiosulfate is best known as hypo.The basic reaction between
thiosulfate and silver halide is that of dissolving and carrying away the
undeveloped silver. Thiosulfate can, however, attack the developed silver if the pH
is decreased (moved toward a neutral or basic pH). Thus, replenishment is
important to the fixer in regeneration of chemical strengths. The developer
carryover into the fixer replaces what fixer is carried out but also reduces the Ph
slightly. If left within the emulsion,thiosulfate reacts with silver particles to
form silver sulfide (Ag2S), which has a characteristic objectionable yellow brown
stain. This is referred to as residual hypo or
hypo retention.