Enlarger Design

The equipment item that is needed for photographic printing is called an enlarger. In essence it enlarges the image on the negative to the desired size and projects this image onto light sensitive paper. This results in an exposed image on the paper that must undergo a developing process to reveal the image.

In order to produce a print, the negative is placed in the negative carrier shiny side up. The height adjustment control is used to select the required size of the projected image for the paper that shall be used. The focusing control is used to ensure the image is in focus. This can be done by eye or using a focus finder which indicates accurate focus when the magnified silver halide grains are defined clearly through the focus finder.

The aperture should be selected so that the image on the base board appears to be slightly dull. This is generally 2 or 3 stops down from when the image appears bright on the base board.

Once the equipment is set up, the red light safe filter located below the lens should be moved into place to ensure only a safe light is seen. Only then can the light sensitive paper be placed on the base board in the presence of red light in the dark room.