Posted by ADavidhazy on July 04, 192002 at 13:42:13:
In Reply to: Photo Novice Question?!?! posted by Lauren on July 02, 192002 at 17:34:50:
Hi Lauren,
A photo enlarger can be thought of as a camera in reverse. It is, in fact, something very similar to a slide projector (or a movie projector). Once you have developed a roll of film you will have a negative image on a transparent base. When you place this negative image in a projector (enlarger) in the apporpriate location, light from the projector lamp will pass through the negative and the lens of the projector (enlarger) will focus the light onto a screen or onto photographic paper. You may need to adjust the focus setting of the lens in order for the image to be sharp. On the other hand, you may have a very simple enlarger in which case everything is probably preset for you.
Working in the dark or under appropriate safelights (that probably also came with your kit) you place a sheet of sensitive paper where the projector projects the negative image. Then you turn on the lamp of the enlarger for a few seconds and then you develop the print (still under "safelight" conditions). following the directions in your kit.
Once the print has been through the various chemical steps required you can turn on the regular lights and see the print as a "positive" - the tones will now have the correct relationship to each other in terms of shadows and highlights.
Of course it is possible that the print you make is too dark or too light. You correct this by making another print but letting the light shine on thye paper for a shorter time if the first print was too dark or longer time if it was too light in tone.
I am sure I left a LOT out but hopefully I have not made any mistakes and that ultimately the above helps a little.
regards,
Andrew Davidhazy, Professor
Imaging and Photo Technology
School of Photographic Arts and Sciences/RIT