Alternative Photographic ProcessesÑDigital Negatives
Spring Quarter 2015, Kalamazoo College
Richard Koenig, Professor

 

For the making of our digital negatives, we will be optimizing your digital images with Photoshop and then print the negative on an ink-jet printer. For our media, we will use Pictorico Premium OHP transparency film. But before we get to the point of hitting Òcommand-pÓ, weÕll have to do some adjustments to your digital files.

 

Usually, when one creates a digital negative using an ink jet printer, one must process the image a bit. The first few things may be intuitive for you—make your file into black and white (note that I did not say Ògray scaleÓ) and optimize the tones in your image so that it looks good in this monochromatic state. But we also have to do a thing or two that may not be intuitive or visually pleasing—chiefly by applying an adjustment curve to the image. These curves are process-specific, and truly, image specific. But we will begin with a ÒcannedÓ curve for the cyanotype process. IÕve done a little experimenting, and I believe I found a good starter curve—we will use a curve I found on Scott Barnes website called Art and Water. So, IÕm calling our adjustment curve the Òart_water_cyan.acvÓ.

 

<http://artandwater.blogspot.com/2012/03/digital-negatives-adjustment-curves.html>

 

Please note—this curve will make the image look very bright and lose detail. But we do this with the end product in mind. To wit—we need to build up density with non-photographic materials (pigment inks of the Epson printer) to achieve the proper tonal range in the resultant image. Thus the adjustment curve will make your image look very light. But when you invert, I think youÕll agree that it is beginning to resemble a nice analogue negative. So letÕs get on with it alreadyÉ

 

 

Making the Negative—The Complete Procedure

 

Optimize the Image

 

Using Photoshop, edit your positive, color image

 

Add a black and white adjustment layer—using sliders to make image look outstanding

 

Flatten using Òmerge-downÓ (command e)

 

Add some space to the bottom (using Òcanvas sizeÓ) so you can place a step wedge there

 

Flatten using Òmerge-downÓ (command e)

 

Size for printing—approximately 5Ó x 7Ó @ 240 ppi

 

To do this, make the longest dimension 7, let the other fall where it may

Set PPI at 240 with Òresample imageÓ checked

 

Sharpen

 

            Filter, sharpen, unsharp mask (with settings of 50, 1, and 0)

 

Load the AW curve

 

            Image, adjustments, curves, look for tiny pull down menu and click on Òload presetÓ

 

            Use Òart_water_cyanÓ

 

The image will look very light, but donÕt worry

 

Invert the image (command i)

 

Flip horizontal

 

Save as a tiff

 

Print the Negative

 

Load one sheet of Pictorico Premium OHP Transparency Film

 

Print (command p)

 

Photoshop Print Settings

 

Layout (portrait or landscape)

 

Print Settings

 

Printer Settings

 

            Paper Size: Letter

 

Media Type: Photo Paper Glossy

 

Photo 1440

 

Uncheck Òhigh speedÓ

 

Save

 

Photoshop Print Settings again

 

Color Handling: Photoshop Handles Colors

 

Printer Profile: SPR2880 Photo Paper Glossy

 

Normal Printing

 

Rendering Intent: Perceptual

 

Check Black Point Compensation

 

Print

 

Let this negative dry a bit before you use in contact frame

 

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