Re: Enlarged negative methodology

Risa S. Horowitz (babbleon@terraport.net)
Tue, 30 Apr 1996 00:41:08 -0400

: I use an orthochromatic continuous ton film
>(AGFA GO 210p) to make an interpositive in the desired print size with all the
>dodging and burning in I would do with a normal bromide,
{snip}
As the film's contrast can be adjusted by special yellow or blue
>filters of the same optical density, I can use the same exposure and developing
>time if contrast corrections have to be made.
>Klaus Pollmeier

Hello all
I've been following all the posting regarding the various films which people
use in creating large negatives for alt-processes.
My limited experience is this:
I use Dupont 12x18" ortho film. Shooting only 35mm (ahhhhhhh), I have played
with pushing 400 iso's, recording film and even tried infrared - because of
the grain. the nicest results i've had were with recording film/hc110 combo.

I have contacted my negs with the ortho for interpositives, and enlarged the
positives to make the large neg, but I use both positive and negatives in my
multi-layer gum prints, so more often than not I enlarge to make a positive,
and contact to make a negative. Developing of film is in 1:6 or 1:8 Dektol,
for about a minute or so with continuous agitation. Stop, fix, wash, and a
minute soak in photoflo.

A box of 100 sheets of this film is available for about $140 (canadian). So,
it's pretty cheap.
I'd like to try to resolve a few problems i've experienced, while not going
over my budget - which at this stage in my life is around $140!! {please,
don't withold suggestions on account of this!}
My biggest problem is with the contrast of the film. Even when shooting
under the flattest conditions, and developing for a flat negative, the film
is so high in contrast that I think I spend more money burning and dodging
than it may be worth.

Klaus mentions a means of controlling contrast in ortho films above. I am
using a condenser head, and I'd like to know a little more about this
possibility. I was under the impression, at least with dupont ortho film
(??) that controlling its contrast was not possible.

Also, can anyone suggest various alternates, either in ortho film or a
panchromatic film, or any larger film with maybe a straight line curve!,
that is relatively inexpensive yet workable for gum printing? I'm not
working with platinum at this stage (so far only with VanDyke type
Kallotype, Cyano and Gum, especially gum), so the gum mixture isn't
sensitive enough to begin with to capture all the tones I would like.

Ok. this is my first step, I suppose, in getting my home darkroom prepared
for its first alt-printing season :)

thank you
Risa
babbleon@terraport.net