photographic papers and size of enlargement

[maxspbr]

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Hello all.

 

 

I usually enlarge photos at 18x24cm and (when the photo is really good!) 30x40cm. Now I'm going back to the 10x14cm. What is your usual enlargement size?

 

I'm thinking that for a small enlargement it is not necessary a high grade, expensive paper like Ilford. In fact, long time ago I used a lot some simpler, cheaper papers (Bove paper, made here in Brazil, now closed. Talbot, made in Uruguai (closed too). And others like these. Kodak's Kodabromide was cheap, too!), all single weight, fiber based, glossy surface, not variable contrast, cutted by manufacturer in 8x12cm or 10x15cm. But enough for those snapshots produced at a happy evening in the darkroom. Photos that I would like to enlarge, but won't waste a large or expensive paper with them.

 

Is there any photographic paper like these being produced today? I only find references about Ilford, Kentmere, Tetenal, Foma, Oriental.

 

Thanks!

 

Martin

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Martin,

 

I don't bother printing anything less than 10x8 inches (24x18). I only use small sheets for test strips.

 

Charlie

[Michael Hiles]

I use Ilford Multigrade IV - and I am very happy. I buy 11x14 inch sheets. Mainly I print about 9.33 x 14 (I rarely crop), which makes a nice size to mount with mat and frame on a wall in a domestic room. For vertical portraits I print a little smaller - I cut the 11x14 paper in half and print 10.5x7 (which is more convenient than 8x10).

[maxspbr]

Thanks a lot for answering!

 

My biggest trouble is about wasting paper with photos with people smiling to the camera. And then asking copies.

 

My wife gave me an interesting tip: why not to scan the negatives of boring photos and send by e-mail? No waste of paper, no time retouching photos that I don't like much... Something to think about.

 

Regards,

 

Martin

[haris]

Martin, I make my prints in my darkroom nexto sizes: 20x25, 30x40 mostly, but also on 13x18 (smallest "serious" size by mine opinion), 18x24 and 24x30 (all paper sizes in centimeters).

 

For 35mm films, I make 9x13cm prints in photo lab, but only as reference prints, that is to see which photograph to enlarge. That is, I make contact copy, decide interesting photographs to make on 9x13cm paper (of whole roll) and then decide photographs to make 9by myself in darkroom) at bigger size. When I make prints from 6x6 or 6x7 negatives, I make contact copy and decide from it which photograph to enlarge.

 

And making 9x13cm or 10x15cm print in 1 hour lab is another option for making prints for giving to, as you said: "...people smiling to the camera. And then asking copies. "

 

Another one is to use instant camera and instant film. As Polaroid is gone, Fuji is only option.

 

Third option is to carry digital imaging tool, and make prints with portable battery powered printer.