Whether it's describing black and white film or color slides, the word "chrome" is predominant in photography. My curiosity of word origins and meanings lead me down a rabbit hole to learn more about how the word chrome became ingrained in so many areas of photography, particularly because of its duo-role in both black and white and color films.
Film rolls. Photograph by taliesin. Source: MorgueFile.com
There are several types of black and white film, orthochromatic and panchromatic, for example, that describe the wavelength at which the emulsion is light sensitive. However, the names of many color slide films also carry the term, including Ektachrome, Fujichrome, and Kodachrome, as does the process of developing them, called chromogenic. Single-colored images are referred to as monochromes, including black and white photos, and color slides are commonly called chromes. Ilfochrome, originally called Cibachrome, is a direct-printing process for color slides or transparencies that forms the image via a dye-destruction process without using an internegative. And, the element chromium is present as a hardening agent in gelatin emulsions in black and white (silver gelatin) film and several non-silver processes such as gum bichromate that takes advantage of the light-sensitive properties of dichromates, usually potassium bichromate.
It turns out, "chrome" is derived from chroma, the Greek word for color, which also lends itself to chromium, thanks to its intensely-colored compounds.
Now you know, too.
-Angela
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