Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 8
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Photography
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Practical On Negative Drying And Storage.
Topic: PRINTING
Subject Matter: Enlarger, Safelight, Drier, Developing tank, Guillotine, Developer, Fixer, Stop bath, Timer

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define photographic printing.
Identify and describe the function of various darkroom equipment.
Explain the purpose of different photographic chemicals used in printing.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of following proper procedures in the darkroom.
Show interest in the process of photographic printing.

Psychomotor Domain:

Correctly identify printing tools and chemicals when presented.
Outline the basic steps involved in photographic printing.

Discuss the roles of different equipment and chemicals in the darkroom process.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Visual Arts.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Photography (Senior Secondary).
Anyanwu, C. N. (2010). Comprehensive Photography for Senior Secondary Schools.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A photo enlarger
Safelight
Chemical trays
Photographic drier
Developing tank
Guillotine
Samples of photographic paper
Bottles labelled ‘Developer’, ‘Fixer’, ‘Stop Bath’
A timer

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding photographic printing is important because it is the final step in transforming a photographic negative into a visible image. This knowledge enables pupils to appreciate the full photographic process and develop practical skills for producing prints, which can be useful for personal projects or future careers.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of photography, including camera operation and the concept of a photographic negative.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING: DARKROOM EQUIPMENT AND CHEMICALS

Introduction to Photographic Printing

Photographic printing is the process of producing a positive image on photographic paper from a photographic negative. This process typically takes place in a darkroom using specialized equipment and chemicals.

Darkroom Equipment

The following are essential equipment used in a photographic darkroom for printing:

Enlarger: An optical projector used to project an image from a photographic negative onto a piece of photographic paper, allowing for control over image size and exposure.
Safelight: A light source that emits light of a specific wavelength (usually red or amber) that does not expose photographic paper, allowing photographers to see in the darkroom without damaging their prints.
Photographic Drier: A device used to quickly and evenly dry processed photographic prints, often using heat and air circulation.
Developing Tank: A light-tight container used for processing photographic film or paper, allowing chemicals to be introduced and drained without exposing the material to light.
Guillotine: A cutting tool with a sharp blade, used for precisely trimming the edges of photographic prints to desired sizes.
Chemical Trays: Shallow, flat-bottomed containers used to hold photographic chemicals (developer, stop bath, fixer) in which prints are immersed during processing.
Timer: A device used to measure and control the duration of chemical processing steps and exposure times during enlarging.

Photographic Chemicals for Printing

The following are the primary chemicals used in the darkroom for processing photographic prints:

Developer: A chemical solution that converts the latent (invisible) image on exposed photographic paper into a visible image by reducing the exposed silver halide crystals to metallic silver.
Stop Bath: An acidic solution (often diluted acetic acid) used immediately after the developer to halt the developing process and neutralize any residual developer, preventing over-development and prolonging the life of the fixer.
Fixer: A chemical solution (typically containing sodium thiosulfate) that removes unexposed silver halide crystals from the photographic paper, making the image permanent and light-stable.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what happens after a photograph is taken with a film camera and the film is developed. The teacher then introduces the topic, “Photographic Printing,” explaining it as the final stage to get a visible picture.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand the context of photographic printing.

Step 2: Explanation of Photographic Printing

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines photographic printing and explains that it requires a darkroom environment and special tools and chemicals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and basic requirements of photographic printing.

Step 3: Introduction of Darkroom Equipment (Enlarger, Safelight)

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the photo enlarger and safelight (or diagrams/pictures) and explains their functions in detail, emphasizing why a safelight is necessary.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials, ask questions, and identify the equipment.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the enlarger and safelight and their specific uses.

Step 4: Introduction of Darkroom Equipment (Drier, Developing Tank, Guillotine, Trays, Timer)

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the drier, developing tank, guillotine, chemical trays, and timer, explaining the purpose of each item in the printing workflow.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, listen, and identify the various tools.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about additional darkroom equipment and their functions.

Step 5: Introduction of Photographic Chemicals

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the three main chemicals used in printing: developer, stop bath, and fixer, describing what each chemical does to the photographic paper.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note the names and functions of the chemicals.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the roles of developer, stop bath, and fixer.

Step 6: Discussion on the Printing Process Flow

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly outlines the sequence of using the equipment and chemicals (enlarge, develop, stop, fix, wash, dry), encouraging pupils to recall the functions of each item in the correct order.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, recalling and arranging the steps.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a basic understanding of the printing workflow.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define photographic printing.
Mention three essential pieces of equipment found in a photographic darkroom.
State the purpose of a safelight.
Explain the function of the developer in photographic printing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: Remaining minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of each tool and chemical in producing a quality photographic print. The teacher then gives homework.
Homework: List five safety precautions to observe when working in a photographic darkroom.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask any final questions, and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are aware of further study.

Lesson Keywords

Enlarger – A device used to project a negative image onto photographic paper.
Safelight – A light that can be used in a darkroom without exposing photographic paper.
Developer – A chemical solution that makes the latent image visible on photographic paper.
Fixer – A chemical solution that makes the photographic image permanent.
Stop Bath – An acidic solution that halts the action of the developer.
Darkroom – A light-tight room used for photographic processing.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to research the chemical compositions of the processing solutions. For those needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified diagrams of the equipment and a checklist of functions, allowing for peer tutoring and focused questioning.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Practical demonstration of the equipment, if available, will greatly enhance pupil understanding. If actual equipment is not available, clear diagrams, videos, or well-labelled pictures should be used. Emphasize safety precautions when discussing chemicals, even if only showing labelled bottles.