INTRO TO THE DARK ROOM

Photography 1

Stages of the Darkroom

1.Rolling Film

2.Developing Film

3.Developing Paper

Vocabulary

Developer: A chemical substance used for making images appear on film or paper

Stop: A mild acid chemical used to stop the development of the film or paper by neutralizing the alkaline developers.

Fix: A chemical that dissolves all the unexposed and undeveloped silver salts in the film (DISPOSED PROPERLY)

Wetting Agent: (Photo Flo) A soapy solution that prevents water spots on the negatives

VocabularyDodging: A process used when processing a print to lighten dark areas on a print

Burning: A process used to darken light spots on a print to achieve a consistent exposure throughout the image

Film Emulsion: Photosensitive components on the film used to make photographic negatives or transparencies

Contrast Filter: Filter used in the darkroom to control and adjust contrast on paper

Safelight: Darkroom illumination that does not cause a visible change to light-sensitive material

VocabularyDarkroom: area or room that includes a wet and dry area/lab where photographs develop negatives and make prints

Enlarger: A piece of equipment designed to project an image onto a piece of photographic paper

Wet Lab: wet area where negative and print processing take place

Dry Lab: area where enlargers are located and prints are made

Agitate: Refers to moving the liquid chemistry inside the closed development tank to keep the film constantly in contact with fresh chemistry.

Rolling Film6 things you should make sure you have with you when you roll your film

1.Reel2.Backup reel3.Film4.Can opener5.Scissors6.Developing Tank

Safety Rules• Always use gloves when mixing chemicals

• If your eyes are sensitive to the chemicals protective goggles

• Never expose your skin to the chemicals as your skin will absorb them

• Evacuate the Dark room if you start to feel dizzy or faint

• Wash eyes out with running water and eye wash if chemicals get in eyes & inform Mrs. Aiwohi

• USE COMMON SENSE! CARELESSNESS WILL RESULT IN CLOSING OF THE DARK ROOM.

Developing Film1 roll = 300 mL/11 oz 2 rolls = 600 mL/22 oz

1. Load film into containers after rolling your film

2. Get chemicals ready (WEAR GLOVES, check developer temperature = 70)

3. Pre-wet 1 minute - Agitate for 1 minute to remove coating from film and to prevent discoloring (SET TIMER)

4. D-76 Developer: 12 minutes total (mixed with water 1:1 = 5.5 oz developer and 5.5 oz of water) (70F)

Agitate 30 seconds

Rest 1 minute

Agitate for 5 seconds every minute

Rest 1 minute…..until 12 minutes is up

Dump out chemical and run water down drain

5. Stop Bath (working solution = no mixing needed)

30 seconds full agitate

SAVE STOP when done…Do Not pour down drain 

6. Fix 5 minutes total (working solution mix)

Agitate for 5 seconds

Rest 1 minute

Agitate for 5 seconds every minute…until 5 minutes is up

SAVE FIX in used container

7. Rinse with water for 5 minutes to remove chemical

8. Dunk in Photo Flo/Water Solution to prevent water spots

Safety Rules for Darkroom 2

1. Only enter Darkroom on your assigned day or with permission

2. Do NOT ever turn on lights in Darkroom

3. Do NOT touch or open the paper safe

4. NO CELL PHONES IN THE DARKROOM

5. Be sure to CLEAN UP your enlarging area as well as any mess in the wet lab

Developing Prints

1. Developer: (mix 1:2) 90 seconds TOTAL….Agitate

2. Stop Bath: 30 seconds TOTAL….Agitate

3. Fix: 2-4 minutes TOTAL….Agitate

4. Water in washer: 5 minutes TOTAL

5. Squeegee on plexiglass

*DO NOT MIX UTENSILS

*SHAKE PAPER BEFORE NEXT CHEMICAL

Enlarger Parts

What you need to enlarge

Enlarger Negatives

Electronic timers Photo Paper

Masking easels

Glass piece

Focusing Tool

Contrast Filters

Enlarging Process1. Make Contact Sheet/Print using glass piece

2. Develop in chemical as normal….dry on rack

3. Decide from there what photo you would like to enlarge.

4. Make enlargement test strip

5. Develop in chemical as normal….dry on rack

6. Make enlargement according to desired time (test strip)

7. Develop in chemical as normal….. USE CONTRAST FILTER IF DESIRED

Dodging

If an area on your print is too dark and/or shows little or no detail, then you can use dodging to block light from that spot for a few seconds during exposure. You can use any object that completely blocks light to dodge. There is a certain motion that you should use. If you lay the blocking material directly on to the paper you will burn the shape of the object on to the paper.

BurningBurning is the opposite of dodging. It is a technique you may use in the dark room when developing prints. When you have a light area that needs to be darkened you can burn by adding additional exposure time. The additional exposure time will darken the spot to create a more even tone. Like dodging, the light blocking tool to prevent any outlines from appearing.