How to Print Photo Negatives

In the old days (actually less than 20 years ago), people took pictures with film.  The film was developed into pictures.  The negatives from the photo film were placed in the same envelope as the photo prints.  With digital photos, negatives are obsolete.  Today, you can develop negatives by sending them to a photo professional or you can develop the pictures on your own.

1. Purchase printing paper for developing your pictures.


2. Create a dark room by closing off light to an area of your house.  You can use red or amber filters.  Make sure that you read the instructions with the paper.  Some paper brands will allow certain light, where others cannot permit light at all.  If you have light showing on the paper when it is not suppose to, you will ruin the picture.


3. Place three trays on a flat table.  Each tray should be at least eight inches by 10 inches by three inches deep.  Keep a pair of tongs handy.  You will need one pair for each tray.


4. Fill the first tray with developer, the second tray with water and the third tray with fixer.


5. Use an enlarger to develop the negatives.  You will need to place the negative inside the enlarger and turn the machine on.


6. Place the easel under the light beam projecting the negative picture.  Make sure that the entire picture is showing in the lighted area.


7. Focus the picture by turning the dial on the enlarger.


8. Turn the enlarger off.


9. Place a piece of film developing paper on the easel where the picture was projected.  Be careful not to bump the easel or move it, as your picture will change.


10. Turn on the enlarger for five to 20 seconds.  This time may vary depending on the negative and the developing paper.  You can run a test sample to decide how long you should leave the light on the paper.


11. Place the paper in the developer, the water and finally the fixer.  Read the paper’s instructions to determine how long the paper need to remain in each tray.


12. Allow the print to rest in a tub of circulating water.  Wash the print for 10 minutes and then hang it to dry.