How To

How to Make a Black-and-White Print

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(4 Ratings)
Make a Black-and-White Print
Make a Black-and-White Print

After making the contact print, developing the print, and making a test strip, you're ready to print your black-and-white photograph.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Camera Filters
  • Dodging And Burning Tools
  • Masking Easels
  • Enlargers
  • Photographic Print Papers
  • Enlarger Timers
  1. Step 1

    Switch on the enlarger light.

  2. Step 2

    Place a masking easel - a flat metal plate with sliding arms on all four sides for cropping the image manually - on the baseboard.

  3. Step 3

    Place a used piece of photographic print paper white-side-up on the easel.

  4. Step 4

    Switch on the enlarger light.

  5. Step 5

    Scale and focus the image.

  6. Step 6

    Create a border around the image by sliding the easel arms up to the edge of the image so it just overlaps.

  7. Step 7

    Switch off the enlarger light.

  8. Step 8

    Place a sheet of unused print paper emulsion-side-up on the easel.

  9. Step 9

    Close the top of the easel so that the arms are centered on the page.

  10. Step 10

    Select a filter if using variable contrast paper. Filters are usually placed inside a slot in the enlarger head and come in five grades, 1 being low-contrast and 5 being high-contrast.

  11. Step 11

    Place the filter in the filter holder and close securely.

  12. Step 12

    Set the aperture and timer using the test strip as a guide.

  13. Step 13

    Switch on the timer.

  14. Step 14

    Expose the print paper.

  15. Step 15

    Place it in the developer tray and proceed with processing.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use a focusing aid to get the sharpest print.
  • Use burning and dodging tools to selectively expose parts of the print for a longer or shorter amount of time.

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