Digital Negatives - Getting Started

[lilmsmaggie]

I have no experience making exhibition quality prints. I would like to have the ability to make my own 11X14 B&W, Platinum and Color prints, possibly 16x20.

I understand that Dan Burkholder wrote a book on the subject but that the material is not current. I'd like to learn how to make digital negatives and there seems to be several methods --but I'm not sure where to start.

So, my question would be: If you were advising someone with no prior experience in producing digital negatives, what would your advice be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Loris Medici]

Welcome. My suggestion would be that you start by reading (many) past threads in this forum and come up with specific questions later...

BTW, the most straightforward method is the combination of Dead Link Removed and ChartThrob...

 

[dwross2]

I don't usually weigh in on digital negative techniques. There are a lot of techniques published and even more opinions on techniques posted. But, I have very good luck with the beasts and have developed a pretty strong opinion set of my own .

First, standardize your printing process as close to consistent as possible. If it is Pt/Pd, use the same paper and the same chemical/procedure protocol each time. You are aiming for predicable results.

Second, refer to a film negative that has given you good results. If you don't have a film negative of your own, make a preliminary inkjet negative that looks like it has the density and curve of an illustration of a film negative in an instructional book by an author you trust. Either from your own negative or from the illustration, make as close an inkjet representation as you can by simply eye-balling the workflow.

Then, make a print with that negative. One print will get you really close to understanding the changes you want to make to get a 'perfect' (for you) final product. Then, go into the file, and with the burn and dodge tools on Photoshop or similar, tweak the individual areas of the negative. You can also lasso small areas to apply a contrast control unsharp mask. I can make an area really pop with 15/30/1.

Record your general workflow and the density info for subsequent negatives. Don't be afraid to try different d.p.i settings, either. Regardless of some of the things you may have read, there isn't a one-size-fits-all standard.

It might take you more than one go-through on your first attempt, but after you get just a bit of experience behind you, and if you've taken good notes and have consistent work habits, you'll be able to generate the right negative for you and your vision, very efficiently.

Best of luck and fun,
d

 

[jeffreyg]

I like to keep things as simple as possible and have gotten consistently good results with both film negatives and digital negatives for Pt/Pd. The 4x5's from HP5, also negatives enlarged on to Kodak dental x-ray duplicating film (reversal film with very simple chemistry) and digital on Pictorico OHP using Burkholder's PS plugin (tweeked in PS). As mentioned in the good advice above, standardize your paper and emulsion and develop negative density that works for you, after that, experiment with the emulsion if desired.