Re: My first attempt - digital negatives.

I'm not sure you need that 70 magenta in the colorhead. If the negative
contrast is adjusted in Photoshop correctly using curves before output,
you shouldn't need to filter for the paper contrast. After all, that's
what the curves are used for in the digital negative workflow. Without
filtration in the enlarger I suspect you will gain at least one stop of
exposure and cut your printing times accordingly to a more managable
level. Bringing the enlarger lamphouse down so the projected area of
illumination just covers the contact print frame may also give you a
significant decrease in exposure time.

Joe

>>> mkochsch@shaw.ca 02/11/05 10:14 AM >>>
Ehud Yaniv wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have been trying to make digital negatives for silver printing,
> while I am learning photography and until I can move to alt-processes.
>
> I have been using Pictorico High Gloss White and the Dan Burkholder
> Inkjet Companion template with an Epson 1280 printer and stock inks.
> So far I have made 4 negatives and yesterday I got to try to print
> one during my basic darkroom class.
>
> I have not yet made a final print due to the end of class but I was
> up to 5 minutes and 20 seconds with 70 magenta in the colour head of
> the enlarger at f4 and 50 mm lens. The enlarger height was set to 70
> and the light was focussed through an empty 35 mm film holder.
>
> My question, is this length of time unusual? I think I still need to
> add about 20 % more time to get some separation between the 0 and 5 %
> on the included step wedge.
>
> Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted as I have limited
> darkroom time as I still need to do assignments to complete the
> course.
>
> Ehud
>
> PS: Yesterday I learned to dodge and burn for the first time. It was
> actually quite wonderful to make some fine changes to a photograph.
> That is to say, to have some - limited, control. I still felt like I
> was all thumbs.
>
> __________
> Ehud Yaniv
> Still Light Photography
> www.still-light.com

Ehud, your print times will go down but will you see any difference in
quality by switching to OHP? Probably not, since base + fog is what is
changing. If printing faster is absolutely neccessary then go ahead and
switch. If you can open up a stop or two try that, or switch to a higher
watt bulb. e.g. go to a 150 or 225 watt enlarger bulb.
Received on Fri Feb 11 11:37:20 2005