Learning Event 2:
IDENTIFY COLOR NEGATIVE REQUIREMENTS
1.
Obviously, you can make a better print from good negatives than you can from poor ones. Few
characteristics are exactly the same in two color negatives. This is because there can be lighting
condition changes just before exposure, different color quality, normal emulsion coating changes,
adverse storage conditions between exposure and processing and nonstandard processing conditions. If
you have more than one negative of a subject, you will want to select the best possible one available. As
a general rule, select a negative with the following characteristics:
a. Select a negative that has proper density. This negative should also have a properly exposed
gray card in the image area and with a full range of tones including a flesh tone.
b. Choose a negative that is free of defects such as scratches, stains, fingerprints, etc.
c. The negative should be of a typical subject with typical lighting as nearly as possible, typical
of that to be printed in the future.
2.
Keep in mind that a typical negative shot indoors under lights, is not the same typical negative of
an outdoor scene. Each typical negative must be of the same subject, under the same lighting conditions.
Learning Event 3:
IDENTIFY PRINTING EQUIPMENT
1.
To make color prints, you need certain items of equipment. Most any photography equipment
used for black and white printing and processing can be used. However, specifically designed
equipment makes your job easier.
a. Enlarger. Any enlarger that is equipped with a tungsten lamp, heat-absorbing glass,
ultraviolet absorption filter (CP2B), and a means to hold printing filters is acceptable for making color
prints. The enlarger should have a means of holding the filters between the lamp and the negative.
Color printing (CP) filters are designed to be used in this position. If you use filters between the lens
and the printing paper, you must use color-compensating (CC) filters. Since the projected image is
passing through the filter, the highest quality filter must be used; CC filters are very high quality.
b. Enlargers designed specifically for color printing have two distinct advantages, a diffused
light source, and dial-in filters. A diffused light source enlarger will minimize negative defects such as
dust and scratches. Dial-in filters make it much easier to alter the filter pack than trying to work with
separate sheets of filter material. Figure 1-3 shows a typical enlarger setup.
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