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What is an Enlarger?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An enlarger is a darkroom tool which projects images from negatives onto enlarging paper for the purpose of making prints. Enlargers are usually an integral part of the film photography process, unless photographers are making contact prints, which are produced through a different process. Therefore, it is common to see an enlarger, or several, in the darkroom environment. Photography supply companies carry an assortment of enlargers, which can get quite costly when they are highly specialized.

To use an enlarger, the photographer mounts film or a glass negative in a special holder on the enlarger, which projects light through the negative. Usually, the enlarger points down at a flat surface which is designed to accommodate enlarging paper. The photographer can adjust the focus of the enlarger, as well as the size of the resulting enlargement. There is also usually room for a filter which can be used to change the quality of the light reaching the negative for specific desired effects.

A darkroom used to print black and white photographs may be lit with red or orange light.
A darkroom used to print black and white photographs may be lit with red or orange light.

After the enlarger has been focused and adjusted as needed, the photographer takes a sheet of enlarging paper and mounts it underneath the enlarger. If cropping is desired, metal strips can be used to adjust the amount of paper exposed. The enlarger is turned on again the expose the image for the desired length of time before being shut off to stop the exposure. Often several test runs are required before the desired length of exposure is reached, and many photographers start by making a test strip with varying lengths of exposure to determine how long the enlarging paper should be exposed.

Enlargers are commonly used when developing film in a darkroom.
Enlargers are commonly used when developing film in a darkroom.

Next, the enlarging paper is run through a developer to bring out the exposure, a stop bath to halt the actions of the developer, and a fixer to fix the image onto the paper. Finally, a rinse with water ensures that the developing chemicals are removed, so that the image is safe to handle and it will not degrade. The print is dried in a clean environment and then it is ready for viewing, mounting, sale, or any other intended use.

In black and white photography, a darkroom is often lit with red or orange light so that photographers can see as they work on prints. Color photography requires complete darkness, as the developing paper must be sensitized to all wavelengths for the print to come out properly. It also requires more sophisticated enlargers with options like color correction.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MusicalExpert researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a MusicalExpert researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

indemnifyme

@starrynight - That's a good tip. Also, enlargers aren't as easy to use as you would think. If you want to do film photography, it's a good idea to take a class to get familiar with the equipment.

That is, if you can find one near you that is a darkroom photography class instead of a class on digital photography!

starrynight

Enlargers are very expensive. However, if you are interested in taking up black and white photography as a hobby, you can probably find one for pretty cheap these days.

Most companies and artists and pretty much anyone who does photography works digitally these days. Consequently, a lot of companies and individuals are selling off their enlargers for much cheaper than they would have been a few years ago.

I would urge anyone looking for an enlarger not to buy new, and instead peruse your local classified adds. You can probably get a really good deal on a used enlarger.

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    • A darkroom used to print black and white photographs may be lit with red or orange light.
      By: eldadcarin
      A darkroom used to print black and white photographs may be lit with red or orange light.
    • Enlargers are commonly used when developing film in a darkroom.
      By: Africa Studio
      Enlargers are commonly used when developing film in a darkroom.