Darkroom Printing Practical for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Photography
Previous Lesson: Creative Darkroom Printing, Masking and Photograms
Topic: Practical Work on Darkroom Printing Technique
Subject Matter: Observe different printing; Technique

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the essential equipment used for darkroom printing.
• Describe the steps involved in making a photographic print.
• Explain the function of each chemical used in the printing process.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of proper darkroom procedures and safety.
• Show interest in experimenting with different printing techniques.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the correct handling of negatives and photographic paper.
• Perform the steps of darkroom printing, including exposure and chemical processing.
• Produce a basic black and white photographic print.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Photography textbook 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
• Enlarger with lens and negative carrier
• Photographic negatives (black and white)
• Black and white photographic paper
• Developing trays (at least three)
• Photographic chemicals: developer, stop bath, fixer (properly mixed)
• Running water for washing prints
• Safelight
• Timer
• Tongs for handling prints
• Measuring cylinders and stirring rods
• Print drying racks or lines

Rationale for the Lesson

This practical lesson provides students with hands-on experience in darkroom printing, a fundamental skill in traditional photography. It allows them to apply theoretical knowledge of photographic processes to create tangible prints. Mastering darkroom techniques enhances their understanding of light, chemistry, and image manipulation, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of photography.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of photography principles, the concept of negatives, and general darkroom safety rules from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Practical Work on Darkroom Printing Technique

Essential Darkroom Equipment for Printing

The darkroom requires specific tools and chemicals for photographic printing:

1. Enlarger: Projects the negative image onto photographic paper. It consists of a light source, condenser or diffuser, negative carrier, lens, and baseboard.
2. Safelight: Provides illumination in the darkroom without exposing photographic paper. It emits light in a spectrum that photographic paper is not sensitive to (usually red or amber).
3. Developing Trays: Used to hold the chemical solutions for processing the photographic paper. Typically, three trays are needed for developer, stop bath, and fixer.
4. Photographic Chemicals:
   1. Developer: Converts the latent image on the exposed paper into a visible image.
   2. Stop Bath: An acidic solution that halts the action of the developer and prevents contamination of the fixer.
   3. Fixer: Removes unexposed silver halides from the paper, making the image permanent and light-stable.
5. Photographic Paper: Light-sensitive paper used to create the final print from a negative.
6. Timer: Used to accurately control exposure times under the enlarger and processing times in the chemicals.
7. Tongs: Used to handle prints in chemical solutions, preventing contamination and protecting hands.
8. Washing Station: Running water or a dedicated print washer to thoroughly remove residual chemicals from the print.

Steps in Darkroom Printing

The process of making a black and white print involves several crucial steps:

1. Darkroom Preparation: Ensure the darkroom is completely light-tight, safelight is on, chemicals are mixed and at the correct temperature in their respective trays (developer, stop bath, fixer), and a water bath is ready for washing.
2. Negative Preparation: Carefully place the negative into the enlarger’s negative carrier, emulsion side down (shiny side up for most enlargers).
3. Enlarger Setup: Project the image onto the enlarger baseboard. Adjust the enlarger height to achieve the desired print size. Focus the image sharply using the enlarger’s focusing knob.
4. Test Strip: Place a small strip of photographic paper on the baseboard. Cover most of it and expose sections for increasing durations (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 seconds). This helps determine the correct exposure time for the final print.
5. Exposure: Based on the test strip results, place a full sheet of photographic paper on the baseboard, emulsion side up. Expose it to the enlarger light for the determined time.
6. Developing:
   1. Immerse the exposed paper completely into the developer solution, emulsion side down. Agitate gently and continuously for the recommended time (e.g., 60-90 seconds). Observe the image appearing.
   2. Drain excess developer and transfer the print to the stop bath. Agitate for 10-30 seconds.
   3. Drain excess stop bath and transfer the print to the fixer solution. Agitate for the recommended time (e.g., 2-5 minutes). This makes the print permanent.
7. Washing: Place the fixed print into a running water bath for thorough washing (e.g., 30-60 minutes) to remove all residual chemicals. Inadequate washing can lead to print degradation over time.
8. Drying: Hang the print to air dry or use a print dryer.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Practical Activity, Observation, Discussion, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Review/Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher welcomes the students and briefly reviews darkroom safety rules and the basic concept of a photographic negative. The teacher then introduces the day’s practical work: darkroom printing.

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

Learning Point: Darkroom safety review

Step 2: Equipment Identification and Setup

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students around the darkroom, pointing out and explaining the function of each piece of equipment required for printing (enlarger, safelight, trays, chemicals, timer, tongs). The teacher also demonstrates how to set up the enlarger and prepare the chemicals.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe, listen, and identify the equipment as explained by the teacher.

Learning Point: Printing equipment identification

Step 3: Negative Handling and Enlarger Focusing

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the correct way to handle a negative without touching the emulsion and how to place it into the enlarger’s negative carrier. The teacher then shows how to adjust the enlarger for size and focus the image on the baseboard.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration and, under guidance, practice handling negatives and focusing the enlarger.

Learning Point: Negative handling, enlarger focusing

Step 4: Making a Test Strip

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to make a test strip by covering portions of a photographic paper and exposing it for varying durations. The teacher explains that this helps determine the optimal exposure time.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the test strip demonstration and understand its purpose.

Learning Point: Test strip creation

Step 5: Exposing and Developing the Print

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to expose a full sheet of photographic paper based on the test strip results. The teacher then demonstrates the developing process: immersing the paper in developer, stop bath, and fixer, explaining the role of each chemical and the required agitation.

Pupils’ Activity: Students follow instructions to expose their paper and observe the chemical processing steps.

Learning Point: Print exposure and development

Step 6: Washing and Drying

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of thorough washing to ensure print permanence and demonstrates how to wash and prepare prints for drying.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the washing and drying procedures.

Learning Point: Print washing and drying

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. Name three essential equipment items needed for darkroom printing.
2. What is the purpose of the stop bath in the printing process?
3. Describe one step involved in making a photographic print.
4. Why is it important to wash prints thoroughly after fixing?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Darkroom printing assessment

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 darkroom equipment and printing steps into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the practical session, reiterating the importance of precision and safety in darkroom work. The teacher encourages students to continue practicing their printing skills.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and prepare for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Practical skills reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Practice Exercise/Project

Instruction: Students are to continue practicing darkroom printing techniques to improve their skills and understanding.

1. Using a different negative, produce another black and white print, aiming for optimal exposure and contrast.
2. Research and write a short paragraph on the environmental impact of darkroom chemicals and possible eco-friendly alternatives.
3. Experiment with dodging and burning techniques to control local print exposure (if time and resources permit).

Lesson Keywords

• Darkroom – A light-tight room for processing light-sensitive photographic materials.
• Enlarger – A photographic device used to produce prints from negatives.
• Safelight – A light source that provides illumination in a darkroom without exposing photographic paper.
• Developer – A chemical solution that makes the latent image visible on photographic paper.
• Stop Bath – An acidic solution that halts the action of the developer.
• Fixer – A chemical solution that makes the photographic image permanent and light-stable.
• Test Strip – A small piece of photographic paper exposed in sections to determine the correct exposure time.
• Negative – A photographic image on film where light and dark tones are reversed.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, encourage them to experiment with advanced techniques like dodging and burning or explore different paper types. For students who require additional support, provide closer supervision during the practical steps, offer simplified instructions, and pair them with more experienced peers for guided practice.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding and visual demonstration, students can search on YouTube for:
darkroom printing tutorial SS3 photography
how to make a photographic print traditional darkroom

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the darkroom is fully functional, clean, and stocked with all necessary chemicals and materials. Emphasise darkroom etiquette and safety, especially regarding chemical handling and light-tightness. Guide students through each step of the printing process with clear demonstrations, allowing them ample opportunity for hands-on practice. Pay close attention to individual students during the practical steps, offering immediate feedback and correction. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the practical demonstration and evaluation to consolidate their learning. Encourage discussion and questions throughout the session to check understanding and address any misconceptions. For weaker learners, provide one-on-one assistance during critical steps like focusing and chemical processing. For faster learners, challenge them to think about print quality, contrast control, and creative darkroom manipulations.