Reflection originals are documents or other flat objects like pictures or drawings that are viewed and photographed (copied) by reflected light.

Copying reflection originals can be done with either horizontal or vertical copy cameras or setups. The size of the copy setup can range from the space necessary to attach the original to a wall and make the copy photo with a tripod-mounted camera, to a copy setup which fills two rooms- one containing the camera back and darkroom and the other the copyboard. Regardless of the different copy setups possible for reflection originals, the copying techniques are the same with few exceptions. In general, the procedures used for copy work are placing the original on the copyboard, aligning the optical axis of the lens with the original, lighting the original, focusing the lens, calculating the exposure, and exposing the film.

PLACING THE ORIGINAL ON THE COPYBOARD

A copyboard should have a positive means of attaching and holding the original. The means of attaching the original could be spring clips, small bar magnets, thumbtacks or pushpins, a hinged glass frame, a sheet of glass, vacuum, and so forth. When thumbtacks or pushpins are used, be sure not to punch holes in the original. For high volume copy, a vacuum copyboard allows a more rapid change and positioning of originals on the copyboard.

When you are using a vertical copy camera or setup, a darkroom printing easel may be used to hold the original in place.

ALIGNING THE OPTICAL AXIS OF THE LENS WITH THE ORIGINAL

Arising, falling, and sliding front feature of a copy camera provides for the alignment of the lens and the

Figure 8-3. Lights positioned at a 45-degree angle.

original without moving the camera or the original. When the camera is not designed with a rising, falling, and sliding front, the camera or original must be moved to align the original with the optical axis of the lens.