How to Make a Black-and-White Contact Print

Making a contact print is the first step in developing and printing a black-and-white photograph.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Enlarger Timers
• Photographic Print Papers
• Enlargers
• Photo Negatives

1. Secure the lens in the enlarger head, which sits directly above the baseboard. Rotate the aperture ring on the lens to f-8 and switch on the enlarger light.
2. Raise or lower the enlarger head using a knob typically located on the right side of the enlarger support column.
3. Focus the light using the knob usually found just to the right of the lens until a rectangle of even light covers the baseboard.
4. Switch off the enlarger light.
5. Place a sheet of print paper on the baseboard, emulsion - or shiny - side up.
6. Place negatives emulsion-side-up on top of the print paper.
7. Lay a piece of glass over the negatives to hold them in place.
8. Set the enlarger timer for 10 seconds. The time will vary depending on the density of the negative.
9. Switch on the timer.
10. Expose the print paper.
11. Remove it and place it in a developer tray.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the negative carrier holder in the enlarger head is closed before switching on the enlarger light.