Camera negatives from enlarging paper?

George Mann · Mar 14, 2022

Is it possible to form a good usable image using some type of enlarging paper as the negative, or even a direct positive?

Could this work for an actual exposure in a camera?

Donald Qualls · Mar 14, 2022

This seems to be the main application of Harman Direct Positive paper, and paper negatives are very commonly use for large format pinhole or homebuilt cameras.

mtnbkr · Mar 14, 2022

I've used Direct Positive Paper in a Graflex 4x5 with decent results (was still learning the camera). I also shot some paper negatives using enlarging paper, that I then scanned and reversed to get a positive image. It all worked, the effective ISOs were so low, it was challenging to shoot at times.

I suspect someone experienced and comfortable with LF could get great results, but I was biting off too much at once time (large format, old press camera, paper negatives, etc).

Chris

Nicholas Lindan · Mar 14, 2022

Paper negatives are used in the "Afghan box/instant camera," a marvelous example of 'appropriate technology.'

The camera first makes the 'negative' on paper. A photograph of the negative is made to produce a positive print. The results of photographing the paper negative seem to produce better results (IMO) than contact printing the paper negative.

https://www.afghanboxcamera.com/abcp_camera_howtouse.htm

radiant · Mar 14, 2022

George Mann said:
Is it possible to form a good usable image using some type of enlarging paper as the negative, or even a direct positive?

Could this work for an actual exposure in a camera?

Shooting paper negatives is pretty common; cheap, easy and usually a bit surprising. Harman paper is also awesome but the two-three stop latitude is a bit .. difficult to tame

I've used both and they definely work.

nmp · Mar 14, 2022

There is even a dedicated sub-forum on the subject:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/forums/paper-negatives.95/

Donald Qualls · Mar 14, 2022

Forgot to add in my earlier reply -- look on YouTube for Joe van Cleave; he's got a ton of videos on various pinhole cameras, almost all using either paper negatives or Harman Direct Positive.

George Mann · Mar 14, 2022

Thank for all of your responses. I plan on building some type of camera to shoot these with.

JNP · Mar 17, 2022

@George Mann
There is also a "group" for this process,
https://www.photrio.com/forum/groups/paper-negative.49/group
and
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/reversal-print-processing-video-new-approach.153447/

bdial · Mar 17, 2022

It is possible.
I've had good luck with Multigrade RC. You want a paper that doesn't have a watermark on the back.

Camera negatives from enlarging paper?

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