B&W
Printing
Tutorial
Introduction
The Basics
The Basics
Begun in 1588 when Leonardo da Vinci created the first "pinhole camera," photography is still a popular method of expression. It is the perfect balance of science and art. Photography allows us to use chemical solutions that trigger chemical reactions on paper. These chemical reactions produce images that are reflections of our own personal vision.
To understand printing, you must first understand the concept of negatives and positives. Images on film are considered negatives and images on photographic paper are considered positives. When you look closely at a negative of a dark object sitting in a light background, for example a football on white pavement, the dark object (the football) appears to be very light while the light background (the pavement) appears to be very dark. On photographic paper, these images appear as they do in person, to your naked eye.
To print a photograph, we project an image from a negative onto a piece of photographic printing paper with light. In the areas of the photograph that should be dark (the football), much light is allowed to shine through the light portion of the negative. In the areas of the photograph that should be light (the pavement), little light is allowed to shine though the dark portion of the negative.
The more light that is allowed to reach the printing paper, the darker the photograph will become. For example, if you were to completely expose a sheet of printing paper for five minutes and then develop it, your photograph would be completely black. Conversely, if you were to develop a sheet of printing paper that had never been exposed to light, the photograph would be completely white.
To learn about the supplies needed, read the sections below titled "Materials Needed" and "Chemicals Needed."
Materials Needed:
- Developed Film- Developed film is called a set of negatives. You will use negatives to project an image on printing paper.
- Printing Paper- Photographic printing paper is what your photographs will be produced on. You should note that printing paper is light sensitive before it is processed. Therefore, the only light printing paper should be exposed to is a darkroom safe light.
- Enlarger- An enlarger is used to project the image from your negative to your printing paper. The enlarger contains a light bulb and a focus knob.
- Easel- An easel is used to position your printing paper. It is also used to crop images. The easel sits on the base of the enlarger.
- Negative Carrier- A negative carrier holds your negative in position. It rests inside the top portion of the enlarger.
- Timer- A timer is used to control the amount of time the light inside the enlarger is on.
Chemicals Needed:
- Developer- Developer is the chemical that brings the image on your negative up onto your printing paper so you can view it.
- Stop Bath- Stop bath is the chemical that halts the developing process.
- Fixer- Fixer is the chemical that makes your image permanent on your printing paper.
- H20- Water is used to wash away the developer, stop bath, and fixer.