the mystery of the crystals under closer examination. what is it that makes them possess magic powers as claimed by mystics thorough the ages? by growing crystals directly on film their mystical qualities shine straight to the screen. unfiltered, only aided by light which gracefully breaks its rays into rich visual textures. Photographic film is a strip or sheet of transparent film base coated on one side with a gelatin emulsion containing microscopically small light-sensitive silver salt crystals. The sizes and other characteristics of the crystals determine the sensitivity, contrast, and resolution of the film.