(1 )What would be the procedure for using Chrome(Slide Film)to be finally printed in the Platinum/Pallatium method? (2)Would one have to convert the Chrome Film into a Negative? (3)Should the Chrome Film be resized first before converting from say a 35mm to 4x5 and or 8x10? Sincerely- Jerome Sheppard(Boston,MA)

-- Jerome Sheppard (RomieNts@netscape.net), May 09, 2002

Answers

If you are going to contact print to platinum, I suggest blowing the slide up in a regular enlarger onto a sheet of Plus-X or something in total darkness, or try to mount a 50mm enlarging lens with a reverse mount and shutter unit on an 8x10 camera if you have access to one. You shouldn't use orthochromatic films because you'll distort color a lot. I haven't tried using digital approach to make internegative, but it's a plausible approach, I think. I would prefer Plus-X rather than TMX because of easier handling and greater depearture from ideal reciprocity law meaning you are less likely to fog. Hope this is of some help -- Ryuji Suzuki (Boston-Cambridge area, MA)

-- Ryuji Suzuki (rsuzuki@rs.cncdsl.com), May 09, 2002.

(1) & (2) Slide to B&W film negative at the final image size. Pt/PD is a contact printing, so the negative has to be the size of the finished print. This issue would be that color film would not expose with true tonal values on regular film. (3) No, you can start with the original slide and then enlarge to the B&W negative for Pt/Pd printing.

This is a case where digital would make the conversion from a color positive to a B&W negative (somewhat) easier. Dan Burkholder's Book on Digital negatives for Contact Printing covers the "how to" of this process.

-- Joe Lipka (joelipka@earthlink.net), May 10, 2002.

I certainly agree with Joe, and think going digital would give you so much more creative control & freedom.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), May 10, 2002.

Try www.lightroom.com for a beautiful undigitized result using the Cibachrome process. They also have digital output.

-- Phil Glass (phi_glass@yahoo.com), May 10, 2002.