What are your film size standards for prints?

[Vaughn]

1) never have
2) 15x15 on 16x20
3) 4x5 enlarged to 15x19 on 16x20...larger film sizes contacted only

 

[logan2z]

I mostly print 35mm negatives on 8x10" paper so that the image is 6"x9". For 120 (6x6 negatives), I print 10x10" images on 11x14" paper. I prefer the intimacy of smaller prints so I don't really have a desire to go any bigger, even if I had the space.

 

[darkosaric]

Thanks guys. Yes, dodging is for me also harder, I even tried high diluted potassium ferricyanide to lighten the areas instead of dodging, but this part is always hard, especially eyes on small prints.

 

[logan2z]

Question fro those that print small prints: how do you do dodging and burning? I find it almost impossible on prints smaller than 20x30cm to do this, due to short exposure times (even at f8-f11)

One option is to use an ND filter to lengthen the exposure times which will allow more time for dodging.

 

[Vaughn]

I mostly print 35mm negatives on 8x10" paper so that the image is 6"x9". For 120 (6x6 negatives), I print 10x10" images on 11x14" paper. I prefer the intimacy of smaller prints so I don't really have a desire to go any bigger, even if I had the space.

Agreed! Contact printing, I make prints from 2.25" x 2.25" to 11"x14". Right now I am enjoying working with 5x7...a good size for in the hand and small wall spaces (where one can approach the print). However, I 'cheat' -- I make images that usually do not need to be burned or dodged.

But when I made small (7x7) prints from 120 film, I used a 135mm lens to increase the enlarger height.

Would masking be worthwhile for small prints? A couple times I have used a Sharpie on the glass of the contact printing frame to spot-dodge an area part way through the exposure.

 

[iakustov]

I usually don't go larger than 5x, regardless of the format.

 

[mrosenlof]

I usually print on 8x10 paper regardless of film format. I also print with fairly wide borders on the paper, normally 1 inch on each side. I'm printing mostly for holding in hand and viewing. Occasionally prints go on the wall. From 6x6 negs I usually print square for a vertical orientation of the paper. If the composition calls for it, I'll crop. Except for contacts from 5x7 or 8x10, a don't normally print out to the frame edges, but try to get close.

I consider 35mm iffy any larger than 8x10, but I have a couple of photos from 35mm enlarged to 8x10, very good lens, tripod and TMax-100 film. They work.

I designed my darkroom to handle up to 16x20, but have never printed bigger than 11x14. I consider big prints too much hassle in storage mostly.