Focusing and arranging the composition of the projected image

Laboratory Procedures
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LESSON 2

a. Place the negative in the carrier, emulsion side down. Replace the

negative carrier in the projection printer and make sure that it is properly

seated.

b. As an aid for composition and to accurately focus the image, place a

sheet of white paper in the printing position on the easel. The base side

of a finished print serves nicely for this focusing screen. Turn out all

white light. Turn the printer light on and open the lens to its maximum

aperture.

c. Focusing and arranging the composition of the projected image should

be accomplished with the lens wide open for two reasons. First, the

brighter the image, the easier it is to see for accurate focusing. Second,

stopping down the lens after focusing, increases the depth of field

providing a margin of safety for any slight error in focusing.

d. To bring the image to the desired size, the printer head is raised

or lowered until the approximate size is reached. The image is then brought

into sharp focus. At this point, you are faced with several minor problems.

Take a moment and study the image carefully. Most printing papers are

rectangular in shape; therefore, you must decide whether to use a vertical

or horizontal format. In many cases, the manner in which the scene is

composed on the negative is the controlling factor. However, many

photographs can be improved in printing by suitable cropping, straightening,

or tilting. If the cameraman made no attempt to compose the picture on the

negative, you can often enlarge and print the portion of the negative that

contains a good picture.

e. Since photographs have infinite variety, and personal likes and

dislikes differ, there are no hard and fast rules in composition. However,

here are some suggestions that can be used to produce a composition that is

pleasing to most people.

(1) Mask off unneeded detail at the edges of the picture. Many times

the foreground is fuzzy and is cluttered with objects that distract

attention from the center of interest.

(2) Never place the center of interest in the middle of the print.

Place it slightly to the left or right of the center, and a little above or

below the center line.

(3) Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines should never be allowed

to cut the picture in equal parts. For example, the horizon should be below

or above the center of the picture.

(4) The horizon should be truly horizontal.