03 Nov 09: Darkroom workshop #5

Last week we covered basic printing. This week we were learning some basics of subjective print manipulation. Our task was to produce 5 prints (some of which required a test strip) as follows:


1. A work print ie a basic print with no manipulation using a contrast of 2.5. I produced a test strip first, setting the enlarger at f/11 and using 2 second intervals.

From the test strip I would have selected an exposure time of 12 seconds but John got me to look at the test strip again, thinking about how the scene looked when I took the picture. Based on this I opted for an 8 second exposure time:

2. A high contrast print at grade 5. Here I applied the 8 second exposure time again. Using a high contrast changes the quality of the image – making it look grainier like a photocopy.

3. A low contrast print at grade 1. The effect is an image which is dull and gloomy in appearance.

4. A Print with localized ‘burning in’. This is where additional exposure is applied to part of the photograph to make it darker. For example, it can be used to darken the sky in a landscape shot. This is done by exposing the whole image for the required time and then giving additional exposure whilst covering the area that doesn’t require any further exposure. If the card used to provide the cover is moved in and out a graduated effect can be achieved. On this version of the image you can see the graduated, darker band across the top edge.

5. A print with localized ‘dodging out’ – the opposite of burning in – some areas get less exposure in order to leave them lighter. This can be done by cutting out shapes in card and attaching them to a wire so that they cane beheld over the relevant part of the image. I used to oval shapes to lighten the bodies of the clangers. By moving the shapes I managed to get a very soft graduated effect.

By way of comparison to print 5 I did this print with the cut out shapes placed directly onto the print paper and left in place. It produces a very extreme effect.

As you can see from the above images I had problems getting the borders to the prints correct. This was due to problems trying to see to set up the easel once we had gone to red light. A learning point for next time - remember to set up the easel before going to red light!

This was the last of John’s darkroom workshops and we have learnt enough basic skills to be able to experiment in the darkroom on our own which I hope to do in the future.