Creating a Proof Sheet
Assemble the following items:
Darkroom, Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer, Photo Paper, film protector sleeve with negatives, enlarger with timer.
Prepare enlarger:
Set switch on timer to Focus.
Fully open aperture on enlarger.
Raise enlarger light to cover target area.
Focus on edge of lit area.
Stop aperture between 8 and 11 depending on enlarger.
Set timer to 5 seconds.
Set switch on timer to Time.
Test proof sheet:
Turn out lights.
Remove photo paper from pouch and place on target area emulsion (glossy) side up.
Lay negatives, in sheet protector, on top of photo paper, emulsion (back) side down.
Place glass plate on top to flatten negatives into focus plane.
Position mask across all negatives except half of the first set.
Press Expose switch on timer.
After exposure move mask to half way point of next set.
Repeat procedure until last set which should be exposed without the mask.
Fully immerse exposed paper in tray with Developer.
Carefully agitate (CGA) solution over the paper for 90 seconds.
Shake off paper and immerse in tray with Stop Bath.
CGA solution over paper for 30 seconds.
Shake off paper and immerse in tray with Fixer.
CGA solution over paper for 2 minutes.
Turn on lights.
Wash paper under running water for 5 minutes.
Determine best exposure time from test proof.
Final proof sheet:
Repeat steps for test proof sheet, without mask, using correct exposure time, to create final proof.