Standard

 

CPH 102 - Black and White Darkroom Theory

Course Description

Introduces the theory and information necessary for fundamental darkroom operations. Emphasis will be placed on the safe handling of photographic chemicals. Topics include: safety, chemistry theory, paper and film theory, black and white printing theory, and equipment.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Safety

Class

3

Chemistry Theory

D. Lab

0

Paper and Film Theory

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Black and White Printing Theory

Credit

3

Equipment

 

 

 

 

 


Prerequisite:

Program admission level math and English competency

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

CPH 101, CPH 103

Corequisite:

CPH 104

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

SAFETY

5

0

0

Chemical protection

Describe safety precautions used with processing chemicals to avoid health, safety, and contamination problems.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the importance of using equipment and tools comprised of appropriate inert materials.

 

 

 

 

Discuss ways in which photochemical solutions contaminate.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the importance of following chemical mixing procedures.

 

 

 

 

Describe appropriate safety attire worn in the darkroom.

 

 

 

 

Describe appropriate way to dispose of hazardous chemicals.

 

 

 

CHEMISTRY THEORY

10

0

0

Chemicals

Describe what happens chemically as film is developed.

 

 

 

 

Describe preparation of developer stock solutions.

 

 

 

 

Explain the purpose of a replenisher.

 

 

 

 

Describe how the temperature of the developer determines developing time.

 

 

 

 

Explain the role of the stop bath.

 

 

 

 

Describe preparation of stop bath stock and working solutions.

 

 

 

 

Explain the role of the fixer and hardener.

 

 

 

 

Explain the role of fixer remover.

 

 

 

 

Explain the role of wetting agents.

 

 

 

Temperature

Explain the effect hot solutions can have on the negative.

 

 

 

 

Explain the effect variation in temperature from solution to solution can have on the negative.

 

 

 

PAPER AND FILM THEORY

5

0

0

Film

Describe steps for loading film onto a reel.

 

 

 

 

Describe the film processing procedure.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the effect film developing time has on the contrast of the negative.

 

 

 

Pushing film

Define pushing film.

 

 

 

 

Explain how to allow for more depth of field or a faster shutter speed.

 

 

 

 

Explain how to push film in low light.

 

 

 

Grain

Define grain.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how the film used may produce negatives with coarse grain.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how the film used may produce negatives with coarse grain.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how negative density affects the coarseness of the grain.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how processing temperatures affect grain size.

 

 

 

Paper

List materials comprising paper.

 

 

 

 

List paper sizes and quantities.

 

 

 

Paper characteristics

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of different base types of papers.

 

 

 

 

Discuss advantages of double-weight paper.

 

 

 

 

Discuss differences between warm tone paper and cold tone paper.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how print developers may affect the tone of the print.

 

 

 

 

Describe how the surface affects the appearance of the image.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how paper grade affects the contrast of a print.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the advantages of variable-contrast paper.

 

 

 

BLACK AND WHITE PRINTING THEORY

5

0

0

Negative contrast

Explain how negative contrast affects the print.

 

 

 

Grain

Discuss how enlarging affects grain size.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how the size of the negative affects the grain size of a print.

 

 

 

Printing process

Describe the procedure for setting up the negative.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how to determine the exposure necessary to make a print.

 

 

 

 

Describe the procedure for making and developing a test strip.

 

 

 

Evaluation

Discuss factors to consider in evaluating quality of a print (e.g., brightness, contrast).

 

 

 

Burning and dodging

Define burning and dodging.

 

 

 

 

Describe the procedure for burning.

 

 

 

 

Describe the procedure for dodging.

 

 

 

Washing and drying

Explain the difference in washing resin-coated and fiber-based papers.

 

 

 

 

Describe the procedure for washing and drying prints.

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT

5

0

0

Film developing equipment

List equipment necessary for developing film.

 

 

 

 

Describe the purpose of equipment used in developing film.

 

 

 

Print making equipment

List equipment necessary for making prints.

 

 

 

 

Describe the purpose of equipment used in developing prints.

 

 

 

 

Describe the parts of an enlarger and the proper manner of using the enlarger.

 

 

 

Automated processing equipment

Describe the different kinds of automatic processing machines.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the use and limitations of black and white automated print processing equipment.

 

 

 

 

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