The Darkroom

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The Darkroom
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Toward A Kinder, Gentler Camera; How To Soften "Character Lines"
Frances E. Schultz  |  Jun 01, 2004

Wrinkles or character lines? Few people want their portraits to show every line on their face. The camera may not...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Using A Density Meter
Darryl C. Nicholas  |  Jul 01, 2000

A density meter is a small battery-powered device that measures light. A density meter is to an enlarger what a light meter is to a camera. I can't imagine working in a darkroom without one.

Most density meters measure only...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Using The Ilford EM-10 Density Meter
Darryl C. Nicholas  |  Jul 01, 1999

I love gadgets. In fact, if it has blinking lights, beeping noises or a flashing LCD display, I usually can't live without it. Years ago when I was working with a dichroic enlarger I discovered the joys of the EM-10, and I haven't been without one since. If you use a continuous-light...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Using The Right Enlarger Lens, Exception To The Rules
Darryl C. Nicholas  |  Feb 01, 2001

Almost all enlargers will accept lenses of different focal lengths, designed so you can match the focal length of the lens to the size of the negative that you are printing. If you do not, your negative might not print correctly.

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Wall Mounting Enlargers
Darryl C. Nicholas  |  Feb 01, 2000

If you have a medium format
or a 35mm format enlarger, then you probably do not need to wall mount
your enlarger. However, if you have a 4x5enlarger...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
When Good Chemicals Go Bad; Tips For Maintaining Freshness And Best Image Quality
Frances E. Schultz  |  Feb 01, 2005

Many people seem to believe that darkroom chemicals have a fixed capacity, beyond which they stop working. This is quite a long way from the truth. The life of most chemical baths used in the darkroom can be divided into four stages. First, there is the fresh bath, with full vigor. Second, there is the partially exhausted bath, which still works but takes longer. Third, there is...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Working With Imperfection
Frances E. Schultz  |  Dec 01, 2004

The easy way to make a great print is to start out with a great negative. In theory, it's not that difficult to learn to make great negatives. Each film you shoot and process, you learn a little more about how to get closer to the perfect negative. But there are two large, active flies in this particular ointment. One is that you don't want to throw away all your old...

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The Darkroom
The Darkroom
Your Traditional Darkroom
Frances E. Schultz  |  Dec 01, 2003

What is the use of having an old-fashioned, "wet" black and white darkroom in the 21st century? Well, it's a bit like religion. If you have to ask the question, you'll never understand the answer. Anyone who loves darkroom knows the...

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The Darkroom
Use More Paper Waste Less
Use Test Strips And Work Prints For Better Results
Frances E. Schultz  |  Apr 01, 2003

The Darkroom

Beginners tend to be very cautious about the amount of paper they use. Paradoxically, therefore, they waste more than they need to. Rather than making test strips, and then a work print, they will go straight to what...

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