HP launches large-format negatives for fine art photography

HP has premiered the results of a new software tool that enables photographers to produce large-format negatives for contact-printing alternative photographic processes.

Large-Format Photo Negatives, which will be launched at Photokina in September, was used by Magnum Photographer Elliott Erwitt to create a new edition of 76x102cm platinum prints, which were shown at photographic exhibitions Les Recontres d’Arles in France and ArtHamptons in Bridgehampton, New York, USA.

"Platinum printing is the Rolls Royce of photographic reproduction and has traditionally been limited to modest dimensions," said Erwitt. "These new prints with their unusual size are a Rolls Royce and Ferrari combined. The photographs have a luminosity that is not achievable with any other process, old or new."

The software was developed by HP colour scientist Angel Albarran and uses the Designjet Z3200 photo printer’s black and green ink onto a clear film to produce the negative.

Fine art digital printmaker Gabe Greenberg, who worked with Erwitt, and has spent years researching digital negatives, described the results as the "crème-de-la-crème of prints"

As well as the platinum printmaking process the negatives can be used with any process which relies on UV exposure through a same-size contact-printed negative including cyanotype, photogravure, dye-transfer, gum bichromate and carbon printing.