Chapter 4 - The Laboratory
The laboratory consists of two connected rooms adjacent to the printing room totaling about 600 square feet. The first lab is used for film and print processing. Film holders are cleaned and loaded here in total darkness, then once exposed, the film is unloaded and developed. A 2×8 foot lab sink sits against one wall with custom water temperature controls mounted above. This sink is used for tray processing of smaller prints such as 20×24 inches. It is also used for 11×14 inch tray film processing since this size film is too large for the nearby film processor. That machine, an 8 foot long stainless steel BAR-RAY nitrogen burst film processor is used for all other film sizes up to 8×10 inch. Burst processors use high pressure nitrogen gas to agitate the film during development. Nitrogen is inert and will not oxidize and spoil chemistry the way air would. The BAR-RAY’s original mechanical burst timer was replaced last year with a digital intervalometer and development timer bringing this mid-20th century machine up to modern standards. Nitrogen burst processing is especially good for sheet film developing because it is extremely precise and repeatable.
Water temperature and flow control panel.
Eight foot lab sink used for tray processing smaller prints. It is set up here with trays to process 11×14 film.
This entire unit is stainless steel and has five stainless tanks each holding four gallons of chemistry in which the film is suspended. Exact temperatures are maintained by the previously mentioned custom water temperature control which supplies tempered water into jackets surrounding each tank.
At the other end of this lab is a 4×16 foot platform that holds five 32×40 inch paper developing trays. Prints are pulled gently from tray to tray until finished then moved to a wash sink. There is also a 7 foot film drying cabinet to allow washed film to hang and dry in a dust free space.
Nitrogen gas burst film processing machine made by Bar-ray. Recently upgraded to digital control.
The other side of the laboratory showing large print processing tray and negative inspection station.
Next to the dryer is a countertop work area and another enlarger used as a light source to to create unsharp masks which are used to enhance print sharpness and control contrast. Finally, in the center of the room is a stainless steel print tray measuring 44×65 inches. This tray is used for the largest images.
32×40 inch print developing trays set up in line. Prints are carefully pulled from tray to tray until developed.