Paper negatives require slower ISO speeds than film negatives.
Large format cameras rely on light that shines through a hole to produce an image. Using paper negatives in large format photography is a cheaper alternative to film and yields more interesting results, such as stronger contrast. The fibers and texture of the paper give the photographs a retro effect.
Paper
Different types of paper can be used in large format photography. For example, some papers are more sensitive to blue or green light. Single weight paper is usually recommended so that the light can penetrate the negative. Fiber paper is the best type of paper for retouching, as the photograph can easily be modified on the back of the paper.
How it's Done
The paper is fitted into the camera by cutting it down to the same size of film that the camera uses. After it is placed inside of the camera, it is held in place by tape if the paper won't stay put on its own. The photographs are exposed at a low speed, equivalent to ISO 6 or slower.
Processing
Paper negatives are usually processed by scanning or contact printing. They are scanned using reflective light scanners, or scanned into computers using consumer-grade scanners. The back of the negatives are saturated in oil to make them transparent before the negatives are scanned as prints and inverted in a photo processing program such as Photoshop. In contact printing, the paper negative is placed face down on an unexposed sheet of paper. A sheet of glass is placed on top to ensure good contact between the papers, then the papers are exposed in the same way as standard negatives.
Retouching
Most paper is orthochromatic and only sensitive to blue and green lights. Because red light is absent, red tones such as red hair or autumn leaves take on an intense contrast and appear dark or black, and whites appear brighter. Retouching is done by coloring the desired areas in pencil on the back of the photo paper to give them a sharper contrast. Coloring in red with a red crayon or red lipstick whitens areas.
Tags: blue green, contact printing, format photography, large format photography, paper give
