A photo enlarger is a key piece of equipment for any traditional darkroom enthusiast. It allows photographers to develop high-quality prints from their film negatives. But if you’re new to the world of analog photography or darkroom work, using a photo enlarger can seem like a daunting task.

In this article, we’ll break down the process of using a photo enlarger step by step, so you can create stunning prints with confidence.

1. Set up your darkroom:

Before using a photo enlarger, ensure your darkroom – or any other space you’re working in – is light-tight and properly equipped. Make sure you have an enlarger, pretty table, red safe light, development trays, photo paper, developer, stop bath, fixer, and running water for rinsing.

2. Choose your negative:
Select the negative you’d like to enlarge from your film strip and carefully load it into the negative carrier of your photo enlarger. Ensure that it’s dust-free and fully secured in place.

3. Adjust the height of the enlarger:

Turn on the enlarger’s light and position your enlargement easel (a frame-like tool) on the baseboard to hold your photosensitive paper in place. Adjust the height of the head of the enlarger until you’ve achieved the desired print size on the baseboard.

4. Focus the image:

Switch on your focusing aid if your enlarger has one. Adjust either lens aperture or focusing knobs depending on your model until you get a clear and sharp image projected onto the baseboard or easel.

5. Adjust contrast (optional):

If you’re using variable contrast paper and filters, choose an appropriate filter to achieve your desired contrast level for your print. Consult your paper’s datasheet for guidance.

6. Set aperture and exposure time:

Select an aperture setting (generally between f/8 and f/11 for sharp prints) on your lens and decide on the exposure time for your print. If you’re unfamiliar with the correct exposure, consider doing a test strip.

7. Load and expose the photo paper:

Turn off your enlarger light and make sure your room is dark except for the safe red light. Open your pack of photosensitive paper, load a sheet into the easel (emulsion side up), close your paper pack, and turn on the enlarger light to expose the paper. Timing is critical here, so use a timer for accurate exposure.

8. Develop, stop, fix and rinse:

After exposing the paper, submerge it in the developer tray (agitate gently) until the image appears, then immerse it in a stop bath to halt development. Next, place it in a fixer to set the image permanently on the paper. Finally, wash with running water to remove any excess chemicals before drying your print.

9. Evaluate and make adjustments:

Inspect your final print under normal lighting – if needed, adjust contrast filters or exposure times – then repeat steps 7-9 until you achieve your desired appearance.

Using a photo enlarger may take some practice at first, but as you become more familiar with this traditional method of photography – settling into a rhythm and gaining confidence – you’ll delight in creating beautiful prints that proudly showcase your artistic talent.