Printing

 The basic printing process is similar for both black and white, and color. The first step is to make a contact sheet. This gives same-size images of each frame allowing you to select which images to print. The second step is making a test print. This is used to judge exposure and color. Place a sheet of paper in the contact frame and lay the negatives or slides on the sheet and lower the glass. Set the aperture of the enlarging lens to f-11. Expose the paper for 15 seconds. Accurate exposure is not really important as each frame is likely to have been exposed differently.

Black and white:

With black and white, you have a choice between fixed and variable contrast papers. Fixed contrast papers come in a range of grades from 1-7 with the higher numbers having higher contrast. Variable contrast papers achieve the same effect with a single type of paper by changing filters.

To make a black and white test print, in safelight:
1- swing the red filter in front of the lens.
2- Place a sheet of paper on the easel.
3- Use a cardboard to cover 1/4 then 1/2 then 3/4 of the paper and expose for 4, 8, and 16 seconds.
4- Process the test print and choose the setting with the best result to use with the final print. To process the paper, in safelight:
5- Place the paper in the developer and agitate by rocking the tray for 60-90 seconds.
6- Place the paper in stop bath for 30 seconds agitating continuously.
7- Place the paper in fixer for 2 minutes while continuously agitating the tray.
8- Wash the print for 5 minutes under running water. Use the same processing procedure for the final print.

Color printing:

Color printing uses 3 primary colors: green, red, and blue. Each of these colors have a complementary color: magenta, cyan, and yellow. The three complementary colors are used to make the final color print. They are used to control the amount of colored light reaching the film. Each of these filters absorb light of its complementary color. For example, cyan absorbs red but allows blue and green to pass through. When making a print, set the filtration to the recommended setting which is given by the manufacturer and make a test print. To make a test print follow the same procedure as explained above for black and white but without the safe light. Adjust exposure and filtration for the final enlargement.

Color negatives and slides:

With a negative you compensate for any color by adding filters of the same color or subtracting filters of the other two. With color slides you subtract the same color or add the other two colors. Decreasing the exposure time makes the print darker when using slide films. The opposite is true for negatives. With color transparency films, there are two processing systems, R-3 such as Kodak's Ektachrome, and silver dye-bleach such as Ilfochrome (formerly known as Cibachrome). Ilfochrome uses fewer steps and shorter processing times than R-3. You use three solutions for Ilfochromes, a black and white developer, which develops exposed areas in each layer, bleach to remove black silver and dye, and fixer. Ilfochromes are sold in complete kits. Follow instructions for mixing solutions.

To process prints from slides using Ilfochrome paper:
1- Place paper inside the print drum. Bring solutions to the recommended temperature, and use the recommended time given by the manufacturer.
2- Start by rinsing the paper for 1 minute.
3- Pour in developer and roll the drum for the full time.
4- Rinse for 1 minute.
5- Pour in bleach, agitate.
6- Rinse for 1 minute.
7- Pour in fixer, agitate.
8- Wash print for three minutes in running water.
9- Hang to dry for 1-2 hours.

For R-3 type papers all solutions should be at 86F or 30C. The color developer temperature is critical, with a latitude of only 1/2 degrees. Begin by making exposure and filtration test.
1- Load the drum and place in water bath. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2- Add the black and white developer and agitate every 30 sec. for 31/2 minutes.
3- Drain the drum. Add stop bath and agitate for 11/2 minutes.
4- Drain and rinse for 2 min.
5- Add color developer and agitate for 3 min.
6- Rinse for 1 min.
7- Add bleach-fix for 3 min.
8- Wash for 3 min.
9- Add stabilizer and soak for 1 min.
10- Rinse for 1/2 min. Dry.

To process prints from negatives follow the recommended time and temperature given by the manufacturer. Place drum in water bath. Pour in the color developer and rotate the drum steadily. Follow the same procedure with the other chemicals taking care to follow manufacturers suggestions.