Prints from transparencies
- Mix the developer, bleach and fixer in their
appropriate beakers according to the manufacturer's instructions and stand
them in a tray of water to keep them at a constant temperature within 1.5°C
of 24°C.
- In total darkness make the exposure from the
slide. Use as few filters as possible to find the correct colour balance and
select the best exposure. As with other enlarging techniques, a test strip
should he made first.
- With the darkroom lights still off, roll the
exposed print, emulsion side inwards, and place it inside the developing drum.
Screw the cap on tightly. The print is now protected from the light and the
darkroom lights may be switched on for the rest of the operation.
- Pour 90cc of the developer, already prepared in
beaker 1 and kept at the correct temperature, into the drum.
- Place the cap on the drum and roll the drum
back and forth for two minutes to agitate the developer. The drums should be
rolled through 180° to ensure that the developer reaches all parts of the
print to produce an even development.
- Pour away the developer and let the drum drain
for about 15 seconds. If the drum is not well drained the next stage may be
contaminated and unpleasant odours can eventually build up.
- Repeat the procedure with 90cc of bleach
prepared in beaker 2, agitating the drum for at least four minutes. A shorter
bleaching time may produce stains on the print. Pour the bleach into the
neutralizing container and let the drum drain for 15 seconds. Pour in 90cc of
fixer from beaker 3, agitate and pour away.
- Remove the picture from the drum and wash it in
a flat dish under running water for three minutes. At this stage the emulsion
surface is very delicate and should not be touched. The print should dry at
room temperature in two hours, or it can be dried by an electric fan in five to
ten minutes. It can then be mounted and presented in any of the conventional
ways.
|