Photographic film is a medium used to capture images in photography. It consists of a thin layer of light-sensitive chemicals coated on a flexible base, usually made of plastic. When exposed to light, these chemicals undergo a chemical reaction, creating a latent image that can be developed into a visible photograph. Once the film is developed, it can produce either color or black-and-white images, depending on the type of film used. Photographic film has been widely used since the 19th century and played a crucial role in the work of famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange.