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How to Diffuse a Print in the Darkroom

While softening an image in image-editing softward is just a few easy clicks, you'll need to get more creative if you are manually printing photos in the darkroom. You can give your black-and-white or even color photographs a dreamy feel by creating your own makeshift diffuser screen using household objects, and without using a soft-focus lens as you take your shots.

Things You'll Need

Wire coat hanger
Black nylon stocking

Instructions

- 1
  Bend the wire hanger until it is relatively circular. Make the circle larger than the lens you plan to hold it under.
- 2
  Pull the nylon stocking onto the hanger until it is tight. Be sure that it evenly covers the wire frame, and that it is free from runs or tears. Any holes or unevenness will cause the diffusion to be applied unevenly.
- 3
  Hold your makeshift diffuser under the lens as you expose your print. Experiment with various exposure times to produce different results. For instance, you may find that your prints come out better if you use the diffuser for only a portion of the exposure time. The longer you diffuse the light, the softer the edges in your photograph will be.

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