Using digital "negatives" for printing

[Robert Kennedy]

I've been really thinking about pushing into a variety of alternative processes. Especially those that are UV sensitive, since I don't really have the ability to setup a proper darkroom.

Now, while I have a 4x5 system, small 4x5 prints are not always ideal. I'd love to be able to make larger prints. And I figure using a digital "negative" will be a good option.

At least cheaper than a new 8x10 system.

So does anyone have any experience with this type of process? I've look at Dan Burkholder's site, but I'd really like some opinions from people whom I know aren't totally smitten with digital. I have my doubts about such processes, but if the results are decent, it would give me a jump into many alternative processes without the massive expense of internegatives.

[Jorge]

If you have an enlarger you might want to check on the article about making direct positives with ortho lith film in Ed Buffaloe's site. Unblinking eye. I think this would be a good way to go about it also.

As to Dan, I know him through circumstances outside phtography and own a couple of his prints. here is my comment on his system, and the set up I seen he has.
Dan has a Mac G4 with double high resolution monitors. lots of memory. Last I heard he had an Epson scanner and printers, all top of the line.
As to his method I beleive he uses some kind of dither method as opposed to a half screen method. Either way some pt/pd printers I know complain that the prints produces some graininess associated with the production of the negatives. I am not sure why since this is not my bag.
I beleive it is not as easy to make them as people make it sound. Photoshop requires a lot of practice to become good with it, etc, etc.
I started with 4x5 negatives and kits from bostick and sullivan, you might want to start this way to see if it is something you really like.
If you dont have access to a good darkroom these processes are not that simple to make. Sure anybody can get the kit for cyanotype, ot pt/pd, a contact printing frame and use the sun for exposure. But to obtain repeatable consistent results you will need more than that.
So my advice would be to first get a kit for cyanotype, or pt/pd and try it with your 4x5 negs, if it is soemthing you enjoy and want to do then get into the digital thing or a bigger camera.

I am not trying to discourage you, just pointing out the pool might be empty before you jump....

[avandesande]

An 8x10 platinum print costs a pro about 7 bucks a shot. As a beginner you will probably want to do 5 or 10 at a time for a single negative. Working with 4x5 will save you alot of money and help you determine if you are really intersted in alt processes.
BTW I made digital inkjet negatives according to his methods and wasn't pleased with the silver gelatine contact prints that I made. They were grainy and the gradations were poor.

[Joe Lipka]

I have been doing this for over a year. I use Dan's method, but I use the halftone screen method for negatives. I found it easier to find someone to make half tone negs rather than diffusion dither bitmaps. See my article on Ed Buffaloe's site, www.unblinkingeye.com on alternate process quick start.

Yes, it is tougher than the book implies, but isn't everything? Once you get your calibrations down, it's really very simple. It's just that you will spend some money (and time) getting the calibration down.

[reimerron]

Is there any discussion of, or introduction to, Dan Burkholter's technique of digital negatives that one can access without having to buy his book? I'd probably buy the book if I was sure that the technique worked well, but I'd hate to buy it if the results were just mediocre. Thanks!

[Jorge]

reimerron, go to the photo eye web site and look up the technical section. You will find the book and I beleive what is the first chapter of the book.
Or you can just e mail Dan, he is a really nice guy and I am sure he will answer your questions.

[Joe Lipka]

reimerron - The technique does work. The LensWork Special edition prints are made by this same process. Thousands of prints have been made this way. If you don't want to buy Dan's book retail, you can always check auction sites to see if it is there a used copy about. Or check out my secret weapon, WWW.Bookfinder.com, the place to search for used books.

[edbuffaloe]

My friend Gary Nored has an article on Making Digital Negatives for VDB (at http://unblinkingeye.com/AAPG/DigiNegs/Overview.html). If you are just learning, the Vandyke Brown process is much cheaper than platinum. Gary uses a PC instead of a Mac.

[bmac]

Ed, it is really good to see you over here!

Brian

[avandesande]

Ed, has anyone experimented with alt processes on TLC plates (silica gel)?

--Aaron