Paper negatives

Something I've always fancied doing - using paper negatives.  Simple enough idea - use regular photographic paper instead of film and even easier when you've a few boxes of Barclay paper in 4"x5", the perfect size for loading into the Sinar holders.  Different to the Direct Positive Paper I tried a while back (here), the result is a negative image on the paper, which can then be developed normally and either contact printed or enlarged to produce a positive image.  The result, in the right hands, is something akin to what the photorealist photographers achieved 100 odd years ago, somewhat soft and ethereal.

It took a couple of goes to get the right ISO for the paper and I settled on about 1.5...so yes, it's slow. Unfortunately there was strong sunlight the day I was messing around with it, which I realise now is not really the best kind of light for this process.  Still...I got something:

First attempt at using paper negatives; enlarged onto Barclay paper

Unfortunately the Barclay paper, while convenient, probably isn't the best choice for this process, since it's a resin-coated paper.  From what I read, fibre paper is best as the structure of the paper adds to the look we are trying to get. 

A couple of observations.  First, when loading the paper into the sheet film holder there's a moment when you pause and think, What side should facing outwards?  Sheet film is notched to tell you which side is the emulsion surface but obviously paper isn't.  You can load under safelight conditions which helps a little but it's really a case of going by the feel of the paper.  If it's glossy paper it's easy enough to get a shine off it from the safelight but with matte, or semi-matte it can be tricky.  And...when enlarging, the hardest part is trying to get the negative focussed, since there's no grain. 

The result isn't spectacular, but it's OK for a first attempt and shows promise, I think.  Next time I'll try it on an overcast day and sacrifice a sheet of fibre paper to see how it goes.