black border

luckyloser · Feb 10, 2007

hello,

i know, it`s a very newbye question, but how can I make a black border all around the neg. because, these days i`m doing my first prints and i just can`t do this border around all four sides.

thank you.

Mark Mombarg · Feb 10, 2007

Printing the negative full size and framing just around it is probably the easiest...

jmailand · Feb 10, 2007

It usually accomplished by having a negative carrier that has a hole bigger than the image to be printed on the negative. That way the clear area of the negative outside the photo lets light through which prints dark on the print. Thats also how 35mm users get spocket holes in their prints. Many people who have access to their own darkroom equipment file out the hole in a spare negative carrier so it is bigger than image on the negative. If your using a community or classroom darkroom your out of luck since I'm sure they dont want people filing their negative carriers.

James.

luckyloser · Feb 11, 2007

Thanks a lot

Ray Heath · Feb 11, 2007

g'day lucky
a black border can also be created by burning a black border after the print exposure is made

e.g if making an 8 x10 image, get a piece of black, thin cardboard, cut to something less than 8 x10 (i've found that a 3mm border is perfect for most sizes up to say 12x16), after the print exposure is made lay this black card over the exposed paper leaving a border all round, remove the neg carrier and give a 'burning' exposure of light of the same duration, process as normal

in fact don't be afraid to experiment with pieces of black card, just remember where light falls on the paper you get black, where the paper is shaded you get white

you don't need fancy easels or masks, just have a go with the cardboard

luckyloser · Feb 11, 2007

thanks mate

Ed Sukach · Feb 11, 2007

Try this:

Measure the opening between the easel blades ... normally, 5mm - 10mm will be "caught" to anchor the edges of the paper. From the actual size of the opening, subtract whatever width of border you desire. Cut or rip - or deckel - all four edges of an opaque sheet (the "filler" that is included with each package of paper seems ideal) to these dimensions. After exposing the paper in the easel, remove the negative, place the opaque sheet on the paper and, holding it to an extreme edge against an easel blade,.. i.e. "north", turn the enlarger lamp on. After 10-15 seconds (enlarger lamp still on) move the opaque sheet to the "west'; then south; then east, creating a black border on all four sides.

MUCH easier to do than describe.

jmal · Feb 12, 2007

The best and easiet way I've found is to use some object that has a very sharp edge to block a portion of the paper while burning the border to black. I've found that card/cardboard leaves a fuzzier border, so choose something with a crisp edge. You'll hear explanations where people tell you to measure the image, place a card over it in the upper left corner, then the lower right, etc. I think this complicates the matter. Expose the paper as you normally would. Then, use your object with the crisp edge to block all of the paper except the width of the border you want. Burn each border individually. I remove the negative from the carrier for the burning. This method does not require you to produce a new card for each size print/border you make, assuming you stay within a reasonable range. Obviously, you will need a larger object for a 16X20 than for an 8X10. You can make small adjustments in print size using the same piece, which is very convenient.

Jmal

HenrikB · Mar 12, 2007

All neg masks I have used come in pairs; an upper and a lower, where the upper mask is slightly larger.

I normally use the UPPER (larger) mask in the lower position and a clear glass in the upper position, that way you will get a nice irregular black border without having to file or damage your masks. Works great for all formats.

/Henrik

haris · Mar 14, 2007

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

black border

haris

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