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Harman Direct Positive Paper |
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I have been using this Direct Positive Paper for several months now in my pinhole cameras. Before this I used Illford Multigrade IV glossy paper. I was always happy with the results I got from Multigrade, but sometimes thought that they were too contrasty and not subtle enough. The big problem was in the skies; there were rarely any clouds visible, even if I tried my best to expose for them. But the Direct Postitive Paper has fixed this issue. Here's a snap I took recently (with the Box Brownie, about 12 seconds exposure, didn't exposure for clouds, just the landscape) that shows how it deals with clouds. |
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As you can see, it isn't bad at all. In fact, it's fantastic. Another difference from the Multigrade paper is that it comes out as a positive image, as it's name implies. If it were to come out as a negative image, it'd look like it does below left, instead of below right. |
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Now, this is a really good thing if you are taking images that you intend to exhibit and sell. You can genuinely say, 'This is a one off, there is no copy, no negative, only this', and perhaps command a higher price for it as a result. It's not going to be a true representation of the scene though, as light still travels in straight lines whatever the photographic paper you use, so the image will still be 'back to front' unless you reverse it in photoshop or by making a contact print, but as long as there is no writing on it, it won't look odd at all. The other thing I like about the subtle nature of this Harman paper is the softness, perhaps you might say the look of extreme age, of the image it sometimes creates. See below. I think the best effect you get is when you make the image when the light is fading, which is at about 4 or 5pm in the summer here. |
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I've used the lustre and the gloss version of the Direct Positive Paper, and I like the gloss best, mainly because it's easier to tell what side is what when you are changing the paper in the dark bag. Glossy is smooth to the touch, whilst with lustre there is very little difference to the touch and I sometimes put the wrong side facing out to the pinhole. If you are thinking of exhibiting the images, the fibre based paper is what you need. There is also a very heavy weight paper available, it's about 300 grams I think, which is really nice to use but unless you dry it whilst it's lying completely flat it will end up very curly around the edges, which is not at all desireable for an image destined for public showing. I really recommend you try this Harman Direct Postive Paper, Glossy FB version. It's changed the way I use my pinhole cameras, for the better (I can plan for much needed subtle tones in my images now), and it's improved the look of my images a lot.
You can find Harman Direct Positive Photographic Paper online at |
