Paper Negatives ~ Contact Printing

One of the things I found out early on was how well paper negatives worked. Using a bromide or even a slower chloride paper as a negative didn't work out well. Way too much textural quality to the papers leaving their traces in the printed image. Also, projection enlargement using a paper negative actually works, although needing a bunch more light, and, again, showcasing the textural qualities of the paper, exaggerated when enlarged. In the early years of the nineteen century paper negatives were used more than you would imagine. At that time, mostly fiber based papers were the stock, so the photographers waxed the negatives after developing, before printing. The waxing allowed the light to pass through the paper much easier, and with less artifacts in the image.

Jump fifty, or so, years later and RC coated stock paper is ubiquitous, even in multi-grade varieties. RC paper makes a most excellent negative. It is pre-cut to size, the coating negates the paper textural artifact problem, and the light passes through the paper almost as easily as a celluloid negative. Being I had a 5x7 view camera, obtaining 5x7 cut sheet RC paper was cheap and easily found. I have a stack of such negatives that print ever so nicely on silver gelatin papers.

The speed rating of grade 2 RC paper is basically 6 ISO. The sheets are loaded just like any film in the cut film holders. A big advantage is during development, being it can be done under an amber light so you can watch the image come up and develop in, and when it gets to where you like it, simply pull it and stick it in stop bath. Easy visual inspection developing. You merely plop that paper negative on top a piece of printing paper, pop on a tungsten light for about four seconds and develop. That negative can also print very nicely on gum dichromate prints. That is the cheapest, easiest learned process, although one of the most difficult to fully master.

This print is the outcome of a paper negative. This print has been seen as a gum print, with thirteen print color layers. It was the last gum I printed at that time, now thirty years ago. I also printed it on chloride paper before I chose to ultimately print it in gum. It was that print that I decided I would not print more than one gum of any image. They are unique and not something to be replicated, if done right.

Silver Gelatin Contact Print ~ Paper Negative ~ "Pond at Sunset"
1984 ~ 5"x7" ~ Unique
Eugene, Oregon