Preparing an enlarger

This guide walks you through loading a negative into an enlarger, preparing it for focusing and framing. Every enlarger is a little different, but the basic process remains the same. Take your time and handle your negatives with care to avoid scratches or dust.

Loading the enlarger

The negative goes into a carrier, and the carrier slides into the enlarger.

What is a negative carrier?

The negative carrier is the part of the enlarger that holds your film in place. It sandwiches the negative between two pieces of glass or metal and keeps it flat and aligned during exposure.

Negative carriers vary by enlarger model. Some are hinged, others come apart completely. Always make sure the carrier matches the film format you're using (for example 35mm or 120) and is compatible with the enlarger.

Loading your negative

1. Inspect the carrier: make sure it's clean and free of dust. Use an air blower or anti-static cloth if needed.
2. Open the carrier: depending on your enlarger, this might mean unlocking a hinge or separating two pieces.
3. Position the negative: carefully place your negative so the image is centred and the emulsion side faces down (towards the enlarger lens).
4. Close and secure: gently close the carrier, checking that the negative remains in position. Clip or latch it shut as required.
5. Insert the carrier into the enlarger head: align it properly so the negative lies flat in the path of the enlarger light.

Take a moment to double-check for dust or fingerprints on the negative before continuing.

Adjusting the enlarger

With the negative in place, you set the size, focus and sharpness of the projected image.

Enlarger controls

Most enlargers have two main controls to help with focusing and framing. One raises or lowers the enlarger head to change print size. The other adjusts the lensboard position to bring the image into focus.

Focusing and framing your image

1. Turn off any filters: remove any contrast or colour filters for now. Set the enlarger lens to its widest aperture to allow the most light through.
2. Project the image onto the baseboard: raise or lower the enlarger head until the image is approximately the size you want to print.
3. Focus on paper: put a sheet of scrap paper in the easel and focus on it with a grain focuser. Turn the focus until the film grain is sharp. If you raise or lower the head again, focus again.
4. Frame the picture: set the easel blades to frame the picture.
5. Stop the lens down: close the aperture about two stops from wide open. Most enlarger lenses are sharpest here, and the whole print comes out sharp from corner to corner, not only in the centre. It also gives exposure times long enough to control.

Once you're happy with focus and framing, you're ready to make a test strip.