Creative Darkroom Printing, Stencilling and Contact Printing for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Photography
Curriculum Theme: Photography Techniques
Previous Lesson: Digital Photography Practical
Topic: Darkroom Printing Technique
Subject Matter: Creative Printing: Stenciling; Contact Printing

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define creative darkroom printing.
• Explain the process of stenciling in photography.
• Describe the process of contact printing in photography.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the artistic possibilities of creative darkroom printing.
• Value the precision and care required in darkroom work.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the stenciling technique to create a photographic print.
• Demonstrate the contact printing technique to create a photographic print.
• Produce creative photographs using selected darkroom techniques.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Photography textbooks for Senior Secondary School
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• A fully equipped darkroom
• Photographic paper (e.g., bromide paper)
• Photographic chemicals (developer, stop bath, fixer)
• Enlarger
• Negatives
• Stenciling materials (e.g., cut-out shapes, opaque objects)
• Objects for contact printing (e.g., leaves, lace, translucent materials)
• Trays, tongs, timers
• Running water

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it expands students’ understanding of photographic expression beyond conventional printing. It equips them with practical skills to manipulate images creatively in the darkroom, fostering artistic innovation and technical proficiency. These techniques allow for unique visual effects and deeper engagement with the photographic process.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of darkroom safety, handling photographic paper and chemicals, and the fundamental steps of developing a black and white print.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Darkroom Printing Technique

Creative Darkroom Printing

Creative darkroom printing involves using various techniques during the printing process to produce unique and artistic photographic images that go beyond a standard reproduction of the negative. These methods allow photographers to add textures, patterns, and abstract elements to their prints.

Stenciling in Photography

Stenciling is a creative darkroom printing technique where opaque or semi-opaque materials are placed directly onto the photographic paper during exposure. This blocks light from reaching certain areas of the paper, creating a pattern or shape on the final print.

The process of stenciling typically involves:

1. Preparing the darkroom and chemicals as usual.
2. Placing the photographic paper on the enlarger baseboard.
3. Arranging cut-out shapes, leaves, or other opaque objects (stencils) directly on the photographic paper.
4. Exposing the paper to light from the enlarger, ensuring the stencils remain in place.
5. Processing the exposed paper through developer, stop bath, and fixer.
6. Washing and drying the print.

Contact Printing

Contact printing is a method of printing where the negative or an object is placed in direct contact with the photographic paper during exposure. This technique produces a print that is the same size as the negative or object being printed. When objects are used, the resulting image is called a photogram.

The process of contact printing typically involves:

1. Preparing the darkroom and chemicals.
2. Placing the photographic paper emulsion-side up on a flat surface (e.g., contact printer or enlarger baseboard).
3. Placing the negative (emulsion-side down) or desired objects directly on top of the photographic paper.
4. Using a contact printer or a sheet of glass to ensure firm contact between the negative/objects and the paper.
5. Exposing the paper to light (either from an enlarger or a bare light bulb).
6. Processing the exposed paper through developer, stop bath, and fixer.
7. Washing and drying the print.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall the basic steps of darkroom printing from previous lessons. The teacher then introduces the idea of creative printing beyond standard reproductions.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to questions about basic darkroom printing and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Basic darkroom recall

Step 2: Introduction to Creative Printing

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what creative darkroom printing means, highlighting its purpose in adding artistic elements to photographs. The teacher shows examples of prints made using stenciling and contact printing if available.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the examples, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Creative printing concept

Step 3: Explaining Stenciling

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Detailed Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the stenciling technique in detail, describing the materials used (opaque objects, cut-outs) and the step-by-step process of placing stencils on photographic paper before exposure.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen carefully, visualise the process, and may take brief notes.

Learning Point: Stenciling process explanation

Step 4: Demonstrating Stenciling

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the stenciling technique in the darkroom, guiding students through the placement of stencils, exposure, and initial development steps, emphasising safety and precision.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration closely, noting the practical steps and safety measures.

Learning Point: Stenciling technique demonstration

Step 5: Explaining Contact Printing

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Detailed Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the contact printing technique, covering both negative-to-paper contact and object-to-paper contact (photograms). The teacher describes the materials and the step-by-step process.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, compare it to stenciling, and ask questions.

Learning Point: Contact printing process

Step 6: Demonstrating Contact Printing

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates contact printing in the darkroom, showing how to place a negative or an object directly onto photographic paper, ensure contact, expose, and begin processing.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the contact printing demonstration, paying attention to the details of object placement and exposure.

Learning Point: Contact printing demonstration

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is creative darkroom printing?
2. Briefly explain the stenciling technique in photography.
3. How does contact printing differ from enlarger printing?
4. Mention two materials that can be used for stenciling.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding creative techniques

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on creative printing, stenciling, and contact printing into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key creative darkroom printing techniques discussed and encourages students to experiment with these methods in future practical sessions. The teacher reminds students of darkroom safety rules.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the summary and prepare for the next activity.

Learning Point: Lesson recap and reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Practical Assignment

Instruction: In your next practical session, you will apply the techniques learned today. Bring a selection of small, flat, opaque, or translucent objects (e.g., leaves, keys, lace, paper cut-outs) to the darkroom.

1. Produce at least one creative print using the stenciling technique.
2. Produce at least one creative print using the contact printing technique (photogram).
3. Document your process and present your prints for critique.

Lesson Keywords

• Creative Printing – Photographic techniques used to produce artistic and unique prints beyond standard reproductions.
• Stenciling – A darkroom technique where opaque objects are placed on photographic paper during exposure to create patterns.
• Contact Printing – A printing method where a negative or object is placed directly on photographic paper for exposure.
• Photogram – An image made without a camera by placing objects directly onto the surface of light-sensitive paper and then exposing it to light.
• Darkroom – A light-tight room used for processing light-sensitive photographic materials.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, encourage them to experiment with multiple layers of stencils or different types of translucent objects for contact printing. For students needing more support, provide pre-cut stencils and guide them step-by-step through one technique before moving to the next, offering extra supervision during practical work.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of creative darkroom printing techniques, search on YouTube for: creative darkroom printing techniques ss3

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the darkroom is fully set up with all necessary chemicals, photographic paper, and equipment. Prepare a variety of stenciling materials and objects suitable for contact printing. During the lesson, demonstrate each technique clearly, emphasising safety protocols for handling chemicals and equipment. Allow students to observe closely and ask questions. For the practical activity in the next session, guide students to apply these techniques, providing individual assistance as needed. Remind students that the Board Summary should be copied into their notebooks after the main teaching demonstration and discussion, typically during Step 8. Check their understanding frequently through questions and observation of their engagement.