Darkroom Printing Tips - (How To) Easily Scale Your Black and White Prints

[@gijsbertdehaan3676]

If you don't have a (darkroom) light meter you can also use the ratio between the surface of the prints, for instance for square prints going to 11x14 from 8x10 you (10.5x10.5)/(7.5x7.5) = 1.96 ie almost one stop (or double exposure time) as mentioned in the video. By applying the ratio to the exposure time one also doesn't have to change the aperture with possible sharpness issues. Some suggest to also increase the grade a little bit when going bigger, as the perceived sharpness changes, but I have printed larger too little to say this from my own experience, my space is too tiny to do 11x14!

[@Distphoto]

Thanks for the info! I had not come across an exact amount so thanks. It definitely matches my experience when enlarging.

[@andyvan5692]

one other tip, if you are lucky enough to have an Ilford Ilfospeed 500 enlarger, it came with a probe (500P) this does the same thing, but sets the enlarger timer (aperture priority automatic), with the filter grade and iris of the lens, and other factors set it gives you the time, so helping to start out close to where you need to be.[the IC controller also keeps the same light output level for all the filter grade settings]. There was also a special auto exposure base that metered the light from the bottom, it replaced the timer controller (500C) as it had those controls on the base unit.

[@Distphoto]

Nice indeed! I had an Omega colorhead at one time that had a base built with a probe / color analyzer and could do the same!

[@Mischa.b.c]

Love it. I have a similar process. I have a lumen meter and an Interpid LED enlarger. This allows me to measure the lumens on the easel with the smaller print. Then set the hight for a larger print and use the lumen value to set the light intensity of the LED's. So I don't have to adjust the aperture or time or anything like that, just adjust the brightness like a dimmable lamp.

[@Distphoto]

Nice! Would like to try an led enlarger like the Intrepid, cool that they are making a new enlarger!

[@andreascaveman]

Excellent! I've been using those meters for a few years and it really works well. The biggest challenge was to get my head around how it worked, initially. You really filled a gap in the youtube content with this one!! Thanks!

[@Distphoto]

Thanks! They are a bit different than most meters I have used in operation. Simple and efficient 👍

[@jorbin7417]

In a rush earlier so I gave this a shot with my sekonic in EV mode and it worked like a charm

[@Distphoto]

Awesome!

[@mike747436]

I’ve started using a 2 stop ND when required as you suggested in an earlier video; good tip. Thanks for sharing this technique.

[@Distphoto]

Glad to share Mike, Thanks!

[@DannerPlace]

Very helpful, thank you for posting, subscribed.

[@Distphoto]

You are welcome, Thank you!

[@robertkerner4833]

Very clever. Thanks for sharing

[@Distphoto]

Thank you!

[@ironmonkey1512]

Great video, 11x14 is such a great print size

[@Distphoto]

My favorite at the moment 👍

[@ahmedal-saeed9374]

thank you for sharing , this helps a lot

[@Distphoto]

You’re welcome!

[@ianland4768]

Spot on advice as always

[@Distphoto]

Thanks Ian!

[@jotaserna944]

Nuevamente atento a tus buenos consejos!

[@Distphoto]

Awesome!

[@erickvalerio3523]

Great video friend. Saludos from México

[@Distphoto]

Thanks Erick!

[@user-fr7xe2ce6p]

Can you use a regular light meter for this too?

[@JayquanDeMarcusWashington]

I keep telling myself that I'm content with how "deep" I get into photography.. first I said I would keep with digital.. then I said I'd stick with 35mm film.. but I'm shopping for a medium format.. figured I'd just pay people to develop the film, but now I develop to save money.. so the next logical step in study darkroom procedures for the next year or so until I spend my life savings on darkroom toys.

[@Distphoto]

You can find good deals on darkroom stuff. Best part of the process!!!

[@ethanbunch3274]

Went down the same rabbit hole myself. I first started with 35 then decided developing and scanning would make it more affordable... oh hey whats this thing called bulk rolling? Oh yeah I have a 4x5 now. Two enlargers and a whole darkroom? Yeah I have almost hit the bottom of the rabbit hole (I think?)

[@JayquanDeMarcusWashington]

@@ethanbunch3274 haha, for sure. It's cool coming back to this comment, because I was gifted an M645 around a month later! Not the fanciest camera in the world, but it's in pristine condition, and it's easily the nicest gift anyone has ever given to me.

[@WimmerRon]

Curious, can you use a regular light meter in the reflected mode to accomplish the same result? Obtain the same reading on a smaller print to a larger print? Great channel and darkroom tips by the way!

[@Distphoto]

Thanks Ron! You can try. Not sure if they would be sensitive enough at lower light levels… But I do happen to have a Gossen Lunasix meter with an attachment I believe is made for this, however have never used it in practice. Have to get a new battery and see how well it works.

[@chris-non-voter]

Yes, I used a Minolta Flash Meter 4 for many years, it has 1/10th of a stop accuracy. I have an EM10 but prefer the Darkroom Automation Precision Enlarging Meter 1/100 of a stop accuracy. With a fibre optic attachment I made, I can use this meter as a reflection densitometer to compare print tones as well as negative densities. In my opinion It is always best to cancel out all filtration when measuring, I use the fb+f between frames as the reference point and not the incident light from the enlarger.

[@jeta1383]

#gottalovethegreendot

[@Distphoto]

Indeed.

[@user-fr7xe2ce6p]

Can you use a regular light meter for this too?