When making image-resizing adjustments to the easel, always open the easel and insure it is in the locked position before moving the easel blades. Negative Carrier Insure the negative carrier is properly seated in the enlarger. If another type of lens is required, ask the instructor or lab technician. If left in the up position, once the enlarger lamp is turned on, light will scatter throughout the darkroom, damaging unfixed prints.ĭon’t remove lens or change the condenser position from the enlarger. Failing to release the enlarger lock while attempting to adjust the enlarger height will cause the gears to be stripped as well as affect the overall sharpness of the enlargement.ĭon’t leave the enlarger head in the up position after inserting or removing negative carrier. This is can burn out the lamp as well as cause the negative to buckle in the negative carrier causing problems with image sharpness.Īlways release (untighten) the enlarger lock when raising and lowering the enlarger. Don’t leave the enlarger with the lamp on. Only have the lamp on when the enlarger is in use. It is important that the enlargers are used as instructed with care and consideration for problem-free use. Prior to the start of each semester, each enlarger is thoroughly cleaned, adjusted and calibrated for proper operation. Scatters unfocused light over the negative, allowing for lower contrast and minimized dust effects, but longer exposure times.īounces light from high-intensity tungsten-halogen bulb into a diffusion chamber where color filters (magenta, yellow and cyan) control desired amounts of variable contrast for black and white printing or the color balance for color printing. Utilizes one or more lenses to concentrate light directly on negative, allowing for short exposure times, and higher contrast. It is important not to contaminate each area to insure the proper handling of materials.Ĭontact Print Easel (left), Adjustable Easel (middle) and Grain Focuser (right)ĭeveloping | Processing Trays (left), Tongs (middle) and Timer (right)

A darkroom is typically divided into two separate sections – a dry side where the enlarger is located and a wet side with the paper processing chemistry located in a sink. Unlike film developing, printing photographic enlargements can be done under dim amber safelights. In order to create a positive within a photographic analog environment, a darkroom is necessary, including an enlarger, easel, safelights and processing trays. The negative is a reversal of the tones in the original scene.

Like film, printing paper is coated with an emulsion containing light-sensitive compounds.

Used photographic enlargers