Possible Problems in Enlarging
Intensity of enlarging light. Unless a stabilizer or other monitoring system is used, there is always the possibility of changes in the light intensity. Sometimes a change in electrical use within the building such as turning on a heavy appliance can lower the voltage, and thus the intensity of the enlarging light. Some enlargers are equipped with a meter that allows the voltage to be checked for variation, although it does not correct voltage. The cold-light illuminants See page 23 require a...
DiffusedLight Enlargers
The most common diffusing light source today is the cold light, a tube or grid located behind a diffusing screen. The advantage of a cold-light source is that it gives a smooth diffused quality of illumination, transmitting the full density range of the negative with little or no interference from the Callier effect, and it produces little heat. Such lighting requires a high-voltage transformer, and the tube size and voltage determine the light output. I have been advised by Figure 2-8. Bodie,...
The Darkroom
The basic arrangement of the darkroom should, as discussed in Book 2, provide for all wet-side processes to occur in one area of the darkroom, with the dry side reserved for enlarging and contact printing, film loading, and other operations that must be protected from chemicals and moisture. It is a fundamental rule of darkroom operation never to allow anything wet wet trays, film tanks, prints, or wet hands to intrude on the dry side. The simplest layout is a continuous worktable on the dry...
THE 8 x 10 ENLARGER
For negatives larger than 4x51 have had built a horizontal enlarger from an old 11 x 14 studio portrait camera. It is often far more economical to build an 8 x 10 enlarger than to purchase one, since the basic structure can be an 8 x 10 or 11 x 14 camera without impairing its use as a camera . The camera and lamp assembly can rest hori- Figure 2-9. The 8x10 enlarger. My enlarger was adapted from an old 11 x 14-ineh studio portrait camera in 1936, and has been improved and added to over the...
The Workroom
The workroom should include provision for print drying racks, paper cutter, dry-mount press, densitometers, and sufficient table area to accommodate trimming, mounting, mat-cutting, spotting, etc. For drying prints, I prefer horizontal racks with screens made of plastic window-screen material. These will not rust or absorb chemical contaminants, and they can be hosed off at frequent intervals to remove dust and possible accumulation of chemicals from insufficiently washed proof prints, etc. For...
Safelights
General purpose graded photographic papers are intentionally made to be sensitive to blue light only comparable to the earliest photo-See Book 2, page 2i graphic plates lt so they can be used with relatively bright yellow safelight filters. Variable-contrast papers, such as Kodak Polycon-trast or Ilford Multigrade, are sensitive to a broader range of colors, and may require other safelight filters. There are also orthochromatic and panchromatic printing materials, and these must not be used...
Enlargers
The enlarger is a photographer's most important piece of equipment next to his camera and lenses. Many fine enlargers are available for 35mm, 120, and 4x5 negatives,- an 8 x 10 enlarger can often be asset-page 26 sembled rather than purchased, as discussed below. lt Several important considerations arise when choosing an enlarger, including Size. The enlarger should be chosen for the largest negative you expect to use in the foreseeable future. A 4 x 5 enlarger is probably a worthwhile...
Darkroom Design and Equipment
Figure 2-1. Sandor Salgo, Conductor, Carmel, California. I made this portrait on a very ioggy day at Point Lo-bos. The subject was placed against an eroded rock in a rather narrow and shaded cleft of the seafront. The light was principally from above. The camera was a Hasselblad with 150mm Zeiss Sonnar lens and no filter. I used Kodak Tri-X film, developed in Kodak HC-110, and printed on Ilford Gallerie Grade 3. Personal preferences should dominate in making decisions about the facilities of...