Kontakttryckning

Kontakttryckning, also known as contact printing, is a photographic printing process where the photographic negative is placed in direct contact with the photographic paper or film. The light then passes through the negative and exposes the emulsion on the paper or film. This method is simpler than using an enlarger, as it does not involve projecting a magnified image.

The primary advantage of kontakttryckning is its simplicity and the ability to reproduce the exact size of the negative. This is particularly useful for creating full-size prints from medium or large format negatives without the need for specialized or expensive equipment. It can also be a quick way to proof negatives, allowing a photographer to see the image at its original size.

However, kontakttryckning also has limitations. Since the image is not magnified, any imperfections on the negative, such as dust, scratches, or grain, will be reproduced at their original size. This can result in a print that appears less sharp or detailed compared to an enlarged print. Achieving perfectly even exposure can also be more challenging, especially with larger negatives, as light fall-off from the edges can occur. Despite these limitations, kontakttryckning remains a valuable technique for its directness and for creating prints that faithfully represent the original negative's dimensions.