enlarger

An enlarger is a specialized optical device used in traditional photography to project a pattern of light through a photographic negative onto photographic paper. It functions like a professional image projector, allowing a photographer to create a larger print from a small negative. The enlarger consists of a light source, a lens system, and a mechanism to hold and position the negative and paper precisely. By adjusting the focus, size, and exposure, the photographer can produce clear, detailed prints with controlled brightness and contrast, transforming small negatives into larger, viewable photographs.