Print Production
My production of B&W prints is quite limited. Contrary to what one might expect, exhibit-quality prints cannot be mass produced. Each print must be done individually by hand.
During the course of a darkroom session I normally produce a duplicate print so that, if the primary print is damaged or ruined during processing, matting, or dry-mounting, I have a back-up to use. This means that, generally speaking, there are only two production prints made per negative per darkroom session.
Print Processing
There are several steps involved in the production of exhibit-quality B&W prints. A summary of these steps is provided below:
- Clean Negative and Glass Carrier
- Place Negative in Enlarger
- Determine Appropriate Size
- Select Orientation and Crop Image
- Adjust Focus with Grain Magnifier
- Analyze Highlight and Shadow Areas
- Select Initial Paper Grade or Filter
- Stop Down Lens
- Set Timer & Place Paper on Easel
- Expose Test Strip
- Develop Test Strip
- Repeat Steps 9 through 11
(Until a Base Exposure Has Been Determined) - Set Timer & Load Paper in Easel
- Expose Work Print
- Develop Work Print
- Repeat Steps 13 through 15
(Until the Previsualized Result Is Achieved) - Set Timer & Load Paper in Easel
- Expose Final Version of Print
- Develop Final Version of Print
- Repeat Steps 17 through 19
(To Produce a "Backup" Print) - Place "Final" & "Backup" Prints in Wash
- Open Lens & Go Back to Step 1