How to Use a Photo Enlarger
Traditional darkroom procedures for developing film and photographic prints have changed little over the years, with the exception of commercial processes. In an age where digital photography has virtually eliminated the need for a darkroom, knowledge of traditional practices is essential for any serious photographer. This is a basic guide designed to furnish the beginner with simple steps in the use of an enlarger; see the Resources section at the end of this article for information on related processes.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Darkroom area
- Photographic paper
- Photographic enlarger with timer and red light
- Developing chemicals (developer, stop, fixer) and tongs
- Four trays for chemicals, larger than paper size
- Rubber gloves
- Drying rack
- Negatives
Instructions
-
Instructions
-
1
Set up your work area. If you do not have access to a darkroom, set up a makeshift darkroom in a bathroom, closet or other area where sunlight and light from others rooms is completely blacked out. A photo enlarger uses a safelight (a red or amber light that does not activate the photo-sensitive materials in the photographic paper) and is the only light that should be used when the paper is exposed. Color photographs must be printed in total darkness.
-
2
Mix the developing chemicals according to directions. There will be four trays---developer, stop bath, fixer, and water to rinse the chemicals from the paper. Pour the chemicals into the trays and have the photographic paper ready. Photo paper should be kept enclosed in its packaging until just prior to use, as exposure to light will activate the paper and render it useless.
-
-
3
Make sure the lens is properly placed in the head of the enlarger. Set the lens aperture to f8 by adjusting the ring. Turn the enlarger light on and raise or lower the head of the enlarger using the knob or lever located on the right of the column. Adjust the focus knob as needed to sharpen the edges of the light projected onto the enlarger base. If you are using 8-by-10-inch photographic paper, focus the light rectangle so that its edges are sharp and fall within the desired parameters on the enlargement easel.
-
4
Once you have chosen the negative you want to develop, place it in the negative carrier so that the shiny emulsion side faces up and the image is centered within the carrier frame. Place a piece of printer paper or other plain white paper in the easel and make further adjustments to focus the image as needed with the focusing knob.
-
5
Turn off the enlarger light. Set the timer and aperture; these settings can be determined using the test strip (see Resources section at the end of this article for information on how to create one). Insert the filter, if you are using one, into its place in the enlarger head and close the metal flap to prevent light leaks. (See Resources for a helpful e-How instructional video on using filters).
-
6
Place a piece of photographic paper in the easel with the shiny emulsion side up. Switch the timer on to expose the paper, then transfer it to your developing station to process in the chemicals (see Resources for information on chemical processing).
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Develop a contact sheet as a guide prior to selecting which negative to enlarge. Arrange the negatives from a single roll of film directly on top of the photographic paper. You may wish to cover the negatives with a piece of glass so that they lie flat, then expose for 8 to10 seconds, adjusting the exposure time according to the lightness or darkness of the negatives. Develop a test strip before making the print. See the article from ePhotozine for instructions on how to do this (see Resources at the end of this article).
Use extreme caution when handling the developing chemicals. Some people have skin reactions to them; even if you don't they are highly caustic with strong vapors and should be handled with gloved hands in a well-ventilated area.
Resources
- Photo Credit Don O'Brien, c.1950 - fair use
