I think I have at last 'cracked' the problem of burning or dodging around complicated shapes when printing B&W. Let me share it with you. Firstly insert the chosen negative into the enlarger and raise the head to the height where you are happy with the print size. and note the position on the enlarger column. Enlargers with graduated scales on the column will make this easier. Focus the image, it does not have to be perfectly sharp at this stage. Make a test print to assess the exposure.
Now lower the enlarger head so that it projects the image about 8" above the baseboard and again focus. Place a piece of plain paper or card under the light beam and draw the shape of the part of the image you want to burn/dodge. This should be larger than the smaller projected image. Use a craft knife to cut out this shape and depending what you want to do mount either the cut out part (for dodging) or the main sheet (for burning) onto a piece of thin wire.
Now raise the head up to the position you originally noted on the column and this time focus accurately. Assess you exposure time plus or minus the time for burning and dodging. For dodging, start the main exposure and slide the cut out shape into the light path so it blocks out the light to the part that will print too dark and moving it up and down and also in a small sideways motion. The correct distance to hold the cut out shape under the lens, is about the same distance that you had the enlarger head when making the drawing. This give a nice edge blur on the printing paper.
Yes it is a little long winded but if you have a shape that is 'difficult' or virtually impossible to burn or dodge easily, it is worth the effort. Likewise for burning in a section that would otherwise print too light. It takes a bit of practice to get it right but once mastered it is virtually foolproof.
Now lower the enlarger head so that it projects the image about 8" above the baseboard and again focus. Place a piece of plain paper or card under the light beam and draw the shape of the part of the image you want to burn/dodge. This should be larger than the smaller projected image. Use a craft knife to cut out this shape and depending what you want to do mount either the cut out part (for dodging) or the main sheet (for burning) onto a piece of thin wire.
Now raise the head up to the position you originally noted on the column and this time focus accurately. Assess you exposure time plus or minus the time for burning and dodging. For dodging, start the main exposure and slide the cut out shape into the light path so it blocks out the light to the part that will print too dark and moving it up and down and also in a small sideways motion. The correct distance to hold the cut out shape under the lens, is about the same distance that you had the enlarger head when making the drawing. This give a nice edge blur on the printing paper.
Yes it is a little long winded but if you have a shape that is 'difficult' or virtually impossible to burn or dodge easily, it is worth the effort. Likewise for burning in a section that would otherwise print too light. It takes a bit of practice to get it right but once mastered it is virtually foolproof.