An enlarger is a darkroom tool that makes prints by projecting images from negatives onto enlarging paper. Unless photographers are making contact prints, which is a different process, enlargers are usually an integral part of the film photography process. As a result, an enlarger, or several enlargers, are common in the darkroom. Enlargers are available from a variety of photography supply companies, but they can be expensive if they are highly specialized.
An enlarger works by placing film or a glass negative in a special holder on the enlarger, which then projects light through the negative. The enlarger is usually pointed down at a flat surface that is designed to hold enlarging paper. The enlarger’s focus and the size of the resulting enlargement can both be adjusted by the photographer. In most cases, there is also space for a filter that can be used to alter the quality of light reaching the negative for specific effects.
After focusing and adjusting the enlarger as needed, the photographer mounts a sheet of enlarging paper underneath the enlarger. Metal strips can be used to adjust the amount of paper exposed if cropping is desired. The enlarger is switched back on to expose the image for the desired amount of time before being turned off to end the exposure. Many photographers begin by making a test strip with varying lengths of exposure to determine how long the enlarging paper should be exposed, and many photographers begin by making a test strip with varying lengths of exposure to determine how long the enlarging paper should be exposed.
The enlarging paper is then passed through a developer to bring out the exposure, a stop bath to stop the developer’s actions, and a fixer to permanently fix the image to the paper. Finally, a rinse with water removes the developing chemicals, making the image safe to handle and preventing it from degrading. The print is then dried in a clean environment and is ready to be viewed, mounted, sold, or used for any other purpose.
A darkroom is often lit with red or orange light in black and white photography so that photographers can see while working on prints. Because the developing paper must be sensitized to all wavelengths for the print to come out properly, color photography necessitates complete darkness. It also necessitates more advanced enlargers with features such as color correction.