[alt-photo] Re: Paper Negatives

[geoff at geoffgallery.net]

Both paraffin and beeswax are readily available - for example Atlantis Art
Supplies in London, UK.

Not all of us are wedded to computers for our negatives - I use LF in
camera negs and also analogue enlarged negs from 35mm. The latter use a
paper inter-positive (i.e. RC coated paper normal print) to produce the
enlarged neg. There is no noticeable loss of sharpness using this type of
peper neg. The RC interpos does not need waxing (and it doesn't help if you
do it).

Where paper negs do produce a softer image is of course when an ordinary
(non-photo) paper material is used - e.g. calotype or liquid emulsion
coated paper. The print then carries the image from the paper neg plus an
image of the paper material itself. 

Another way to soften the image - often used by those who practice
(analogue) uncharp marking - is to put a thin film of clear acetate between
the neg and pos. 

Geoff

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Judy Seigel jseigel at panix.com
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 23:40:21 -0500 (EST)
To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Paper Negatives



On Mon, 8 Feb 2010, Diana Bloomfield wrote:

> I also assume that, just like paper negatives (unwaxed), often used with 
> pinhole cameras, for instance-- they give a much softer, dreamier-- often 
> more "other-worldly"--  positive image than does film or a digital 
> transparency.  To see one or two of the same images made with a regular 
> transparency, not a waxed paper negative, would be really interesting. 
But 
> I'm guessing that's the main reason for using them-- the resulting image
is 
> just that much more dreamlike and evocative.

But, if memory serves (and this WAS a long time ago), when we began doing 
waxed paper negatives, there were few if any alternatives... We didn't all 
have computers, in fact could be using a paper cup and a string to reach 
"the list."

The irony may be that nowadays it can be difficult to get paraffin for the 
waxing... it used to be sold in every grocery store for sealing your 
home-made jam. (Besides which, "beeswax" is not necessarily among ordinary 
art supplies.)

J.
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