newbie!

[cheerchicken05]

hey guys im new here and i had a question. i havnt really read other posts so forgive me if its a question asked way to many times :lol:

i wouldnt say im new to photography but i am still definatly a beginner. i am in a class where we develop...and i just set up a darkroom yesterday. lemme tell ya, that can clean out a 16-year-olds wallet!! right now i can only do prints at night because there is a small window that i havnt covered...my dad plans on putting a wall up, but for now i just print after dark.

anywho.. heres my question.

the people i bought the enlarger, etc. from gave me color filters that you put in the enlarger in a little carrier above the negative carrier. i dont get what they do and i havnt fooled around with them yet. they are labeled 00, 0, 1, 1 1/2, 2...etc up to i think 6. can someone please give me a brief overview of these filters? please remember, im still learning!!! THANK YOU to anyone who took time to read this and DOUBLE THANK YOU to anyone who takes the time to reply!!! :D

[john_houghton]

The filters are probably for use with multigrade B&W papers and will give increasing degrees of contrast from 0 thru' 5.

John

[mvrekum]

The filters (yellow, magenta cyan in different shades) are used for color printing. With these filters you make color corrections to your color negative.

If you wnat to print in color, make a test shot with some real white and real black in it. Print the photo without any filter. Next use the filters if needed to make the white area white. Use only 2 of the 3 filter colors (using 3 filters of the same shade is the same as using a grey filter, it just blocks the light).

When you have found the right combination for your photo then write it down. For this type of film you will probably always need the same filtering +/- a minor correction.

If you want to print in color, wait until your dad has put the wall up. You have to expose the paper in total darkness (no coloured lights like you can use for B&W) and develop it in a developer tank.

[Vegas Poboy]

It sounds like your developing B&W film & if so Johns statment is correct the filters are to help put contrast into you prints. Since you are new I would suggest getting your print & developing skills tuned in a little more before you start using filters. & when you start take one good print and then use a filter and compare all six when done & you should see the change in contrast. Test strips will save you paper and exposure times will change also. keep a notepad handy and try to stick to the same type of paper.
Good Luck