First posted 28 September 2010

I have just written a technical review of the new Harman Direct positive Paper for Black and White Magazine here in the UK. The piece will probably be in the January issue, but I thought I’d like to share my enthusiasm for it here.

The paper comes in RC and FB versions and is pretty high contrast if used straight out of the box, though a pre flash will bring the contrast down dramatically, as seen in this test shot;

For my test I loaded a 5×4 darkslide with a sheet of the FB paper and pulled the darkslide half way out. I preflashed the paper in camera by exposing through a sheet of white paper (this needs to be metered correctly, -see upcoming magazine article), then I pulled the darkslide out all the way and did the main exposure. As you can see from this example, the pre flash makes a huge difference to the tonal range.

Because of the short latitude of this paper, a good, reliable hand meter is recommended. An incident reading will give you the quickest accurate reading, though a spotmeter could give more information once the range of the paper has been established using your own developer.

Tips;

Always use fresh developer, Only develop under red safelight and don’t turn on the lights until the print is fixed.

The paper is really great for photograms too, as you can see from this image of a jar.

When used in camera, it produces images which are reversed left to right and for portraiture this is often flattering to the sitter as they always see themselves that way in the mirror, so they view these images as being more accurate.

I intend to do a lot more with this paper, I think it has a lot of potential. I hope they consider producing a lower contrast version in the future if this is at all possible.

11 Comments

1. Wiesmier
   Posted 28/09/2010 at 11:55 am

   I rather like the stuff too. I develop in really weak developer which seems to tame the contrast as well as the pre-flash. Might even buy B&W to read your article!

2. Brenda Burrell
   Posted 03/10/2010 at 12:43 pm

   I usually get my B&W about 4th hand, but yes, I’ll be buying this one too. Thank you.

3. Analogue Photography
   Posted 19/10/2010 at 2:53 pm

   Great post and fantastic imagery!

4. Andrew Sanderson
   
   Posted 28/10/2010 at 9:14 am

   Thanks, good luck with your fisheye stuff, I went wild with my first one too! -but that was years and years ago, I’ve not used one for so long now. Seeing your shots reminds me I should dig it out again.

5. ky Lewis
   Posted 10/01/2011 at 11:10 pm

   Interesting post, I’m dying to try this paper for pinholing so I shall no doubt buy B&W as well!

6. Dan Smith
   Posted 13/04/2012 at 4:07 am

   Where do I find a copy of the article you wrote about this paper? I looked on the B&W(UK) site and did not see an article listed on the magazine cover for January.
   Is it posted online for me to read?

   Or, can you let us know for sure which issue it is published in so I can order that issue to be delivered to the US.

   Thanks,

   Dan

7. David Linton
   Posted 07/06/2012 at 3:33 pm

   I come across this sometime after the January magazine has been published. Is it possible you could add some more detail to the level of pre-flash you have experimented with.

8. Andrew Sanderson
   Posted 20/07/2012 at 8:58 am

   Dear David, I will be doing a follow up article here sometime soon. I’m currently busy with Gum printing which takes up quite a bit of time.
   Andrew.

9. Andrew Sanderson
   Posted 20/07/2012 at 8:59 am

   Dear Dan, I’ll have a look through my back issues and drop you a line when I find it.
   Andrew.

10. Mariana Bartolomeo
    Posted 19/07/2013 at 12:59 am

    Do you have any reference or follow-up on the use of DPP for photograms?
    The image you posted is fantastic. However, typically photograms are left in the sun for hours and treated with fixer only, no developer or caffenol etc. I have been able to get fairly good images with limited exposure (1 hour+), but even gold will not preserve the image and Hypam following only produces a completely white paper. Image lost or in hiding. Would not take selenium toner either.
    I there is no need to pre-flash if using natural UV, but where to go from there once the image forms? Thank you!

11. Andrew Sanderson
    Posted 24/09/2013 at 11:55 am

    Dear Mariana, I haven’t tried this paper for daylight/UV photograms in this manner. I think the long exposure will totally overexpose the paper and once gone, it will not return.
    Regards, Andrew.