Things You'll Need:
- 8 by 10 printing paper
- three dimensional objects etc.
- enlarger
- developer, stop bath, and fixer
- tongs
- timer
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Step 1
Have your paper(covered) and objects ready by the enlarger. Make sure tongs are set out for A) developer and B) stop bath and fix. Clear a space on the enlarger baseboard. Using lever on side of the enlarger lift the enlarger/condenser head. Take the negative carrier off its hanger and place properly underneath the condenser head. Lower lever so the head rests on top of the negative carrier. It should fit snugly.
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Step 2
Flip switch on timer to turn enlarger light on to see if there will be enough light to cover your paper. Open up aperture to the widest on the enlarger (generally 2.8) Focus your lens so that the negative carrier creates as sharp of a rectangle as you can get. (Your rectangle of light on the baseboard should have sharp lines). Stop down the lens aperture to f8 (3 stops from 2.8). That is turn the lens 3 clicks so the light gets dimmer. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE YOUR PAPER OUT DURING THIS STEP.
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Step 3
Flip the switch on the timer so the light goes off. Set the timer for 10 seconds (this is a rough estimate. Your print will tell you if you need a longer or shorter exposure.) Put your paper in place, emulsion (shiny side) up so the light will cover it. Arrange your chosen composition of objects on top of your paper. Press the button on the timer (not the switch) to make your exposure. Take your print to the developing tray. Put in for 1 and a half minute, agitate continuously.
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Step 4
Use developing tongs to pull out and let drip for a few seconds. Put into stop bath tray. (do not touch your printed image with the tongs, tongs may scratch the print, hold by edges) Constant agitation for 30-60 seconds in stop bath. Remove from stop bath with stop/fix tongs. Let print drip for a few seconds. Put print into fix tray. Agitate for 2 minutes constant. Let print drip. Remove from fix tray and put print into dry tray to take out to lighted room to view print and put into water for wash, then dry.
