DIGITAL NEGATIVES for HAND APPLIED EMULSION

  
 
Hand applied emulsion prints are made as contact print from negatives that are the same size as the final print. Sunlight was historically used as the light source because UltraViolet light is needed rather than the conventional light supplied by an enlarger. Special high-output UltraViolet light boxes can also be employed to give a more consistent and even exposure.

Full size negatives can be printed onto sheet film and processed just as normal film, or negatives can be made digitally. This recipe details how to make digital negatives in a few simple steps.
 
     
WORKFLOW        
 

• create a greyscale version of the photograph, properly adjusted BEFORE you apply the DigiNeg alterations!
       • covert to greyscale using the Channel Mixer
       • layer sharpen
       • adjust the levels
       • apply a contrast curve
• add previsualization layers
       • one for each medium, cyanotype, van dyke brown, etc.
• add a step wedge (optional)
• flip horizontal
• invert to negative
• colorize to make a 'spectral density' negative
• apply output levels adjustments for the specific emulsion
• add some texture (optional)
• print the picture onto transparency film with these settings
• apply these setting to other photos

 
       
CREATE the B&W DIGITAL PICTURE    
  Use the Channel Mixer then and make all tonal adjustments.  
 
start with film or digital, a negative or print, b&w or color
bring the source image into the computer
  see any of several available "Scanning" documents
open the file in Photoshop
  convert the color space to Adobe(RGB) 1998
  set the image size resolution to 300 ppi
  rescale

to appropriate picture size in inches
  remove

any black borders from Silver Prints

  SAVE AS…

immediately with another name

convert any color images into greyscale
  use the Channel Mixer
see the "Greyscale Conversion" pages for detailed recipes
sharpen using layer sharpen
  see the "Layer Sharpen" page for more details
adjust the tonality to the desired appearance
  set levels

with an adjustment layer
    adjust the endpoints to remove any empty tonal space
  set curves

with an adjustment layer
    add more contrast than for a normal print
 
       
ADD PREVISUALIZATION LAYERS    
  Consult the Previsualization Pages to get the exact recipes for various other sensitizers and toning treatments.  
  Use the FILL LAYER technique to render the picture Cyan.
 
open the layers window     window>layers   or   [F7]
create a new fill layer
  use layer>new fill layer>solid color…
  or pull down the new layer button to solid color…
 
       
 
the color picker will open  
mix the Prusssian Blue fill color
  set

Cyan to 71
  set

Magenta to 21
  set Yellow to 0
  set Black (K) to 0
 
   
   
 
return to the layers window
  set

blending mode to color
 
   
 
  Turn this layer on and off
       to previsualize how the picture will look if printed using these sensitizers.
Make sure it is turned off when printing!		  
     
INCLUDE a STEPWEDGE (optional)      
 

Expand the Canvas and drag a Step Wedge picture file into your picture to use as a test strip when printing.
This has to be under all the adjustment layers that are about to be applied for it to be useful.

 
 
open the Step Wedge Sample Picture
  the file is in Zip format, so it has to be 'un-zipped'
  rotate or resize if necessary
expand the Canvas Size by the width of the Step Wedge
  keep your picture off to one side
drag the Step Wedge picture into your picture

note: the Step Wedge can be trimmed off and used with a separate piece of paper.

 
   
FLIP the PICTURE      
  because the negative is turned face down to print emulsion to emulsion.  
 
flip horizontal using     image> rotate> flip horizontal
 
 
       
INVERT the TONALITY      
  to make the picture into a negative.
use an Adjustment Layer so it can be turned off later to double-check you picture later.
 
 
add an adjustment layer> invert
 
 
       
COLORIZE      
 

to make a 'Spectral Density Negative' for better masking capability.
     Orange ink will actually block more UltraViolet light than will black ink.
Use the same color for all emulsions
     because this is the color that blocks Ultraviolet light the best!

 
 
add a Fill Layer using a Solid Color    
  use layer> new fill layer> solid color…
   
the New Layer dialog box will open  
  set name to 'colorize'
  set mode to color
  leave opacity at 100% (default)
  hit [okay]   
   
the Color Picker will open
create an Orange Mask color to block UV light
  set Cyan to 0
  set

Magenta to 71
  set Yellow to 71
  set Black to 0
  hit [okay]  
   
 
       
APPLY OUTPUT ADJUSTMENT LAYERS      
 

for a reduced tonal range for each emulsion.
There can be several Output Adjustment Layers, one for each emulsion
     and these can be turned on and off separately as needed.
These should be the topmost layers in the stack
     because the colorize layer will subtly alter the density of the picture.

 
  The output levels first have to be adjusted so the actual tonal range of the picture is correct  
 
add a new Adjustment Layer> Curves
  name the layer with the emulsion name
set the output levels to new lower values
  new cyanotype : (endpoint values = 10% ~ 90%)
    set

the shadow output value to 26

    set the highlight output value to 229
  van dyke brown : (endpoint values = 15% ~ 85%)
    set the shadow output value to 38
    set the highlight output value to 217
   
 
 

The contrast now needs to be raised to make up for the reduced contrast of the liquid emulsions.

 
 
lock the midtone value
  by placing a control point dead center
raise the highlight intensity
  by dragging a control point upward
lower the shadow intensity
  by dragging a control point downward
   

These values may have to be adjusted differently for each individual picture!
 
       
ADD some TEXTURE (optional)      
  Traditional negatives are made on Litho film that is inherently grainy.  
 
select the background layer
use Filter> Noise> Add Noise…  
  8 ~ 12% or as you prefer
or Filter> Texture> Grain…
  1 ~ 20 or as you prefer

note: filters cannot be undone like adjustment layers

 
   
PRINT the PICTURE      
  onto professional-grade Transparency Film.  
 
use only a high-quality Overhead Transparency Film
  PictoRico OHP Transparency Film
     15 sheets of 8.5 x 11" costs $17.95, or -
InkPress Transparency Film
     20 sheets of 8.5 x 11" costs $17.95
print onto the textured side of the transparent film
  place the cut corner into the upper right corner (PictoRico only)
rotate the page in Page Setup (if necessary)
 

to print vertical picture on a vertical page,
or a horizontal picture on a horizontal page

 
   
PRINTER SETTINGS for Digital Negatives    
  Print on a Canon ipf5100printer using Gloss Ink.  
  set the front panel controls first:
 
 
feed: sheet (not roll)
media type: Backlit Film
media size: Letter/ 8.5"x11" (or whatever size you are using)
  hit [ok] to load paper
  status window will read:
  Offline, Loading…
  the paper will be drawn into the printer and loaded
  wait for the status to read Online Letter
continue to the Export dialog box, explained in the next section
if you have access to another inkjet printer, that can be used as well
 
       
  then set the Print Dialog Box specs in the Export Plug-in window:    
 
open the Export Plug-in for the Canon printers
  use file> export> iPF5100 Print Plug-in…
 
   
select Main tab
 
  media type : Backlit Film
  resolution: High Accuracy 600ppi
  image bit to plug-in: High Gradation 8 bit
  print mode: High (High Precision)
  output profile: Auto (Color)
  matching method: Relative Colorimetric
   
select Page Setup tab
 
  set : Enlarged/ Reduced Printing
  scaling: 100%
    it is possible to rescale the print size here
    but DO NOT enlarge more than 10%
          (Photoshop does a better job)
  media size : Letter (8.5 x 11")
  orientation: Portrait or Landscape, as required
  layout: Center of Output Media Size
    position can be altered by dragging the image in the box
  media source : Manual
   
hit: [print] to proceed
    or [return] key or [enter] key
  if you have access to another inkjet printer, that can be used as well
 
       
APPLY ADJUSTMENT LAYERS to OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS    
 

Simply select ALL Adjustment layers and DRAG them to any other picture file.
Turn the appropriate layers on or off to Previsualize or Make a Negative.
You will most likely have to readjust the Channel Mixer to get the best B&W Conversion,
        but all the other alterations are the same! This is even easier than creating an Action.

 
 
unstack the photographs to be used
select all adjustment layers in the finished photo
drag all layers to the other photograph
turn on / off whichever layers will display the desired effect
readjust the Channel Mixer to get the best B&W photo first