PHOTOGRAPHY-45 -                                                                                                                                                        PRINTING

In traditional system of photography the final output delivered to customers is the PRINT[S] in individual pieces or as a collective volume-The Album . Generally the album is compiled with photos that together represent an event or occasion –personal or official. In any case the customer is keen to view the final picture while [s]he has no special value for the Negatives generated on the occasion. In fact, the negative is the actual treasure in that it serves as the template for any number of photo prints through all its life. For photos whose negatives are not retrievable, the worker makes a new negative from the photo. This step of making a new negative from a photo is named ‘Re-Copy’. The negative so generated can help in making additional copies. However a recopy product lacks the solidity as it is derived from a flat 2 dimensional picture unlike the negative  from a three dimensional human in flesh and blood. Be that as it may, transferring the image details from a negative to a paper is Printing.

The negative is a transparent record viewed through transmitted light .                                                 The print  is  an  opaque  record  viewed  by  reflected  light

PRINT CATEGORIES                                                          a] Contact prints   b] Enlargements  Both are done in dark room under “Safe light” [red bulb].  Contact prints are made from negatives held in intimate physical contact between the negative and the paper used for printing . The physical intimacy between them  should be such that no inter layer of air occurs between them. It is ensured by inserting the negative paper assembly between thick glass plates and held firm along the edges; being within the glass frame, it permits ‘printing light ‘ to travel throughthe negative  and reach the recipient paper. The light filtered through the negative casts impression [of light] upon the sensitive surface of the paper for a predetermined lengthof time usually maintained by oral counting 1, 2, 3, 4 etc in uniform pace. After the time , the negative and the paper are separated. Still under red light and allowed to develop through 1] Developer 2] Stop bath.3 ]Fixer and 4 ] Final wash 5 -6 times in fresh water before drying .

 

Enlargements are made under “Safe light’ [Red]

Enlargements are made using a special OPTO-MECHANICAL device the Enlarger . The enlarger has a ‘light proof’ housing from where light emerges through a pair of Plano-convex glasses together functioning as "Condenser" It helps to deliver a concentrated beam of light evenly spread over the negative and illuminates the picture area on the negative. Light through the negative is fed through a quality lens- ‘The Enlarger Lens’. The lens can be tuned to deliver a focussed beam of light on to the sensitive surface of the printing paper. The ratio of magnification helps to ‘enlarge’ the image to typical size =Post Card, Quarter, Cabinet , Full plate, 12 X 10, 22 X 18, 24 X 20 inches and so on. Exposure needed is estimated by trial strips and the best product obtained is the most appropriate exposure applied by oral counting 1, 2, 3, 4 etc in uniform pace.

The ‘exposed’ paper is processed through the same steps as during contact printing. All operations are doned under”Safe light” [Red]. B&W photo papers are not sensitive to red light and so “Red” safe light helps visibility in the dark room without affecting the paper. BUT FILMS, COLOUR FILMS, COLOUR PAPERS CAN BE HANDLED ONLY IN TOTAL DARKNESS.

Caution :                                                           Negative and paper should be placed such that the sensitive surfaces of film   and paper face each other. If paper is WRONGLY ORIENTED, NO IMAGE IS FORMED ON PAPER . If negative is WRONGLY ORIENTED, THE RESULTANT IMAGE SUFFERS ‘THE EFFECT OF MIRROR IMAGE’; IT MEANS the wrist watch shows up on a wrong hand, the parting of hair changes ends, the sarees of women flow along wrong shoulder[MADISARS of Mamis render an interchange of IYERS-IYENGARS and VICE-VERSA.]

That in broad is the story of printing in traditional scheme of film photography.

There are several finer controls in making prints. Already the topic has had a lion’s share of space and time. With no indication of any inclination to explore the scheme of colour photography , it is honourable to stop at this point.

Thanks to all.    K.Raman