Intermediate Darkroom
Learning Tree University
Class #1
Course Outline

Class One: INTRO
Outline
Vocabulary
Materials needed
Safety
Open lab Info
Spray mount demo
Chemical mixing demo
Print surface demo
Students bring: Nothing special.

Class Two: TONING
Selenium toning
Blue tones
Brown tones
Students bring: GLOVES and your choice of paper and negs.

Class Three: MULTIPLE EXPOSURES
Overprinting
Selective masking
Students bring: Matted print from week #2, appropriate negs for double exposures.

Class Four: SPLIT CONTRAST FILTER PRINTING
Taming out of control highlights
Bringing out shadow detail
Students bring: Matted print from week #3, high contrast difficult to print negs.

Class Five: PHOTOGRAMS & ALTERNATIVE PROCESS
Intro to photograms
Intro to coating paper
Cyanotypes
Students bring: GLOVES, matted print from week #4, an assortment of translucent items that will fit on an 8x10 page.

Class Six: SABATTIER / SOLARIZATION
Special Developer
Special effects
Students bring: Matted print from week #5, moderate to high contrasts negs of detailed images.


Intermediate Darkroom
LTU
Course Materials

Supplied by Each Student

 

 

Paper: Your choice from below (A minimum of 25 sheets required but I suggest 50 sheets):
Cold tone: Kodak Polycontrast III RC or Ilford MG4 RC, Glossy or pearl, 8x10 inch
Warm tone: Ilford MGRC Warmtone, Glossy or pearl, 8x10 inch
Colored: Luminos Pastel in your choice of colors, 8x10 inch
Linen: Luminos Photo Linen, 8x10 inch

Negatives: a variety from your personal collection

Hand towel (required at all classes)

Gloves: Required for class #2 (toning) and class #5 (cyanotype)

Mat board: 11x14 inch 4 ply white "Crescent" or mat board without texture
A minimum of 5 sheets required for spray mounting, 9 for window mats

Can of Photo Spray adhesive (unless you have access to a heat press or mat cutter)

Apron (optional)

Your choice of one of the following: A can of compressed air
A "Static Master" type negative brush (1 inch or larger)
A "Kodak Camel Hair" type brush (1 inch or larger)

 

 

POSSIBLE SOURCES:
The Darkroom : 9227 Reseda Blvd, Reseda (north of Nordoff)
818-885-0123  Click here to visit
Canoga Camera : 22065 Sherman Way, Canoga Park (west of Topanga)
818-346-5506  Click here to visit
Reseda Photo : 18569 Sherman Way, Reseda (west of Reseda) 818-343-4664

The less common papers (Pastels, linen) can be hard to find: Try
Calumet : 805 N. Highland, Hollywood (near Melrose) 323-466-1238  Click here to visit
Samy's : 431 S. Fairfax, West LA 323-938-2420  Click here to visit

 

RECOMMENDED LOCAL PHOTO LABS:
I'm often asked to recommend labs to do work beyond the scope of this class.
I can suggest the following custom labs near LTU:
Advanced Photo Lab : 21831 Sherman Way, Canoga Park (Near Topanga)
818-347-4686
The Darkroom : 9227 Reseda Blvd, Reseda (north of Nordoff)
818-885-0123  Click here to visit
UCI : 6827 Tampa Ave, Reseda
818-776-9911

 



Intermediate Darkroom
LTU
Vocabulary

APERTURE - The size of the lens opening through which light passes.

AGITATE - To move a solution over the surface of film or paper during development so that fresh liquid comes into contact with the surface.

ASA - A numerical rating that describes the sensitivity of film to light.

BRACKET - To make several exposures, some greater and some less than the exposure that is calculated to be correct. Bracketing allows for error and permits selection of the best exposer after development.

BURN IN - To darken a specific area of a print by giving it additional printing exposer.

CAMERA - A picture taking device usually consisting of a light-tight box, a film holder, a shutter to admit a measured quantity of light and a lens to focus the image.

CASSETTE - A light-tight metal or plastic container that permits a roll of 35mm film to be loaded into a camera in the light.

CONCENTRATE - A chemical solution that needs to be diluted with water before use.

CONTACT PRINTING - Placing a negative in contact with sensitized material, usually paper, and then passing light through the negative onto the material.

CONTRAST - The difference in darkness or density between one tone and another. The amounts of black and white versus the amounts of grays.

CROP - To trim the edges of an image, often to improve the composition.

DEVELOPER - A chemical solution that changes the invisible, latent image produced during exposer into a visible one.

DODGE - To lighten an area of a print by shading it during part of the printing exposure.

EASEL - Darkroom accessory used to hold printing paper flat and in place under the enlarger.

EMULSION - A light-sensitive coating applied to photographic films or papers. It consists of silver halide crystals and other chemicals suspended in gelatin.

EXPOSURE - The intensity of light multiplied by the length of time it falls on a light-sensitive material; specifically, the combination of shutter speed and aperture.

FILM FORMAT - Negative size, such as 35 millimeter, 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", and 4" x 5".

FIXER - A chemical solution that makes a photographic image insensitive to light.

F-STOP - The common term for the aperture setting of a lens.

HIGHLIGHT - One of the brightest things in a scene, negative, or print. You typically see this as an almost white area in the scene and final print, and a very dark (black) area on your negative.

HYPO CLEAR: A chemical used to decrease the time needed to wash a photographic print.

MULTI GRADE - A type of photo paper that will change contrast due to the filter used while enlarging.

RESIN COATED - A type of photo paper that is coated plastic. Washes and dries much faster than other types of photo paper.

SAFELIGHT - A light used in the darkroom during printing to provide general illumination without giving unwanted exposure.

SABATTIER - A special effect done by exposing a partially developed print or film to raw light. This has the effect of partially and selectively reversing tones (light becomes dark, dark becomes light).

SHADOW TONE - A very dark part of your scene, negative, or print. You typically see this as an almost black area in the scene and final print, and a very light (white / transparent) area on your negative.

SOLARIZATION - Reverse effect that occurs when film is grossly overexposed in the camera. The term is commonly used to refer to the Sabattier effect.

STOP BATH - An acid solution used between the developer and the fixer to stop the action of the developer and to preserve the effectiveness of the fixer.

TONING - A method of changing the color or tint of a black and white photograph by changing the chemical qualities of the silver in the photo paper.

VARIABLE CONTRAST - See "Multi Grade".

WORKING SOLUTION - A chemical solution diluted to the correct strength for use.

 


SPRAY MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

INTERMEDIATE DARKROOM

LTU

 

Step 1) Trim the print. Using an "exacto" knife or one sided razor blade with a straight edge, remove any unwanted white border or "crop" the image as desired.

Step 2) Measure the height and width of the trimmed print. Measure the height and width of the mat board.

Step 3) Subtract the height of the print from the height of the mat board. Divide this number by 2. This number is your "top clearance". Make a small pencil mark centered below the top of the mat board at your "Top Clearance" distance.

Step 4) Subtract the print width from the mat width. Divide this number by 2. Add 1/16 inch to this number (to assure hiding your marks). This number is your "side clearance". Using your eyes or a "T-Square" make a small mark even with your "top clearance" mark at your "side clearance" distance from EACH side of the mat.

Step 5) Spray the back of your print. Work outside if possible, or at least open window for ventilation. Place newspapers down to protect area from glue. Spay top to bottom, using just enough adhesive to coat back of print. Let dry for 30 seconds, then re-coat side to side. Let print dry for 1 minute.

Step 6) Very carefully place top corners of print over (and covering) the "side clearance" marks on your mat board. When you are satisfied with placement, press print onto mat board with a fair bit of force.


Ferguson Photography and Design
Simi Valley, CA
805-577-6914


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Copyright @ 2001 by Tom Ferguson.
Not for reproduction or distribution without written permission.
These are class handouts and are NOT meant to be complete lessons.