A Brief Introduction To The Course

Welcome students and have them introduce themselves to the rest of the class.
Briefly explain the benefits and objectives of the course.

• To learn basic darkroom technique so that students can perform all the steps from buying a roll of film to producing and mounting a finished print
  • Making a proof sheet to judge negative quality and process all prints
  • Film processing to make printable negatives from exposed film
  • Enlarging and related techniques for accurate control over the final print
  • Chemical mixing for economy and consistent results
  • Darkroom safety to protect oneself and one's equipment
  • Print mounting and finishing to present an exhibit or enter a photographic contest

Briefly explain how the course is taught.

• Instruction by the teacher
• Use of literature and out-of-class reading
• Practice in the darkroom

Identify and explain equipment to students with some of the theory involved: Film processing tanks and the different chemicals steps to bring out and stabilize the latent image made by light striking the film during exposure in the camera; photographic paper and how light transmitted by the exposed and developed film forms a latent image on the paper which is then brought out and stabilized by chemicals; and enlargers, machines for projecting light through negatives onto photographic paper, allowing control of image size and cropping to improve composition.

Instruction

Demonstrate making a proof sheet* and let each student make one. Have some negatives on hand, with a good proof sheet for quality comparison. Also, have all the necessary chemicals prepared.

*Making a proof sheet -- If you've processed your own film, you have already prepared the stop bath and fixer. Mix the developer according to the instructions. Be sure to label jars as DEKTOL Developer, Stop Bath (or Stop), and Fixer. Make up a working solution by diluting your prepared developer with water as recommended on the package. Pour it into a jar labeled DEKTOL Developer and start with step 2.

Step 2 -- Stabilize the developer at 68° F (20° C) by pouring about 32 oz (946 mL) into your graduate and placing it into a tray of cool or warm water. Next pour it into a tray labeled Developer to a depth of about 1/2 inch.

Step 3 -- Stabilize the stop bath at 65° to 75° F (18° to 24° C) and pour about 1/2 inch into a tray labeled Stop Bath or Stop.

Step 4 -- Stabilize the fixer at 65° to 75° F (18° to 24° C) and pour about 1/2 inch into a tray labeled Fixer. Note: It's a good idea to rinse your graduate after steps 2, 3 and 4.

Step 5 -- Arrange your trays in front of you so that, from left to right, you have developer, stop bath, and fixer. Then rinse your hands well and dry them thoroughly. Turn off all lights except for the safelight. The safelight should be placed at least 4 feet from your working area.

Step 6 -- Open the package of paper, remove one sheet, and close the package again so that light can't get in. Place your negatives so that their dull side faces the emulsion (usually shiny) side of the paper. The negatives should be near the light source. Cover with glass.

Step 7 -- If you're using a printing frame and a 7-watt bulb to make your proof sheet, hang the bare bulb 2 feet above the frame and turn it on for about 10 seconds. You may have to experiment a bit (see step 12) to get the correct exposure time for your negatives.

Step 8 -- If you're using an enlarger, place the empty negative carrier in the enlarger, and set the lens at f/11. Adjust the enlarger so that the light covers an area just a bit larger than your paper. Expose for about 8 seconds. Again, you may have to experiment to get the correct exposure time.

Step 9 -- Remove the paper from your printing device with your left hand (don't get the right one wet with developer) and slide the paper, emulsion side up, into the developer (left-hand tray). Rock the tray gently for 1 minute by tipping up first one end, then the other.

Step 10 -- Take the paper out of the developer with your left hand, and after letting it drain for a second or two, slide it into the stop bath solution (center tray). Agitate the tray for 5 seconds in the same manner you did in step 9.

Step 11 -- With your right hand, withdraw the paper from the stop bath and slip it into the fixer. Agitate frequently for 2 minutes, and keep it separated from any other prints in the tray. After the print has been in the fixer for 25-30 seconds, you can turn on the room lights.

Step 12 -- Examine your proof sheet and if most of the pictures seem too light, try again with double the exposure time you used at first. If most of the pictures seem too dark, use half the exposure time. It's a good idea to keep notes on your exposure times and the results. You'll soon be able to come up with a good average exposure time to use.

Step 13 -- Using your fourth tray, wash the print for only 4 minutes at 64° to 75° F (18° to 24° C). The KODAK Automatic Tray Siphon provides continuous agitation.

Step 14 -- Sponge or squeegee the surface water from both sides of the print and place it onto a flat surface to dry at room temperature.

Assignment

Have each member expose a roll or cartridge of black-and-white film and have it processed and a proof sheet made professionally unless he/she already has such a roll of film from a previous course in photography. Each time your students complete a picture-taking assignment, have them enter in a small notebook pertinent data such as lighting conditions, film speed, lens opening, and shutter speed (if an adjustable camera was used). This information will be helpful later when students begin other picture-taking assignments.