The master aims at creating the figure of the laboratory professional man or of the evolved amateur able to develop and print correctly with the suitable techniques and the necessary chemical and sensitometric knowledge of the sensitive materials. The black and white photography is considered both as an alternative and a complement of the colour and as a possible technical/expressive form. Printing in black and white offers nearly the same creative possibilities of shooting. For this reason, we need to be able to do it well and to know every aspect of it.

First part

Equipment for the darkroom:

• Materials for general use
• Materials for the developer of negatives
• Materials for printing and enlargement

Second part

How to develop and print in black and white

• Contact printing.
• Information and general principles.
• Chemistry of developer.
• Techniques of developer
• Preparations
• Developer of the different formats of films.
• Choice of the most suitable materials.

Third part

How to print

• Contact printing
• Enlargement
• Exposure
• Developer
• Stop bath
• Fixing
• Washing and drying
• Finish of the copies
• Practical advice for enlargement

Fourth part

The correction of mistakes:

• Weakening and strengthening of the negatives.
• Correction of slide films.
• Spots on negatives and prints.
• Methods to look for the exact cause of mistakes.
• Light and view mistakes, errors linked to the wrong use of materials and their consequences
• List and solution of the most frequent problems and intervention methodologies.

Fifth part

The elaborations:

• How to use toners.
• How to use photomechanical films (Lith).
• How to block out and insert (theory).
• Elaborations on the computer (theory).
• Photomontage.
• Solarization.
• Manual and airbrush retouching (theory)
• Hints of colour printing, E6 and C-41 treatments, Cibachrome

Sixth part

The zonal system:
The zonal system, invented by the famous photographer Ansel Adams, is one of the most fascinating techniques to obtain excellent black and white prints. In fact, it allows to reproduce in the largest tone scale of the greys present in the scene shot. The tests that will be carried out on the main films and photographic papers will allow you to get always the best expressive result.

1. Definition of zonal system
2. Previsualization and contrast of the films
3. Density of the negative and densitometric reading
4. Different methods to develop the negative
5. How to personalize the zonal system:
   • Test on standard printing time
   • Test on the sensitiveness of emulsions
   • Time to develop the negative
   • Grey scale

Seventh part

Particular chemistry

• Chemistry for photography: how to personalize developer, fixing, and toners
• Inversion (Black and white slides) and following coloured Toners
• Calibrated solarization
• Technical information, search for materials and technical biography