I initially starting forming this post on my new Facebook Page, where I billed the article as, “A few thoughts ahead of a new blog post on my recent research with Richard Freestone into alternative print processes from Digital Negatives…”
However, I think I managed clarity in that first missive and am now publishing it here for you, pretty much untouched…
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It has been an enthralling process working with Digital Negatives lately to produce analogue prints, specifically Calotypes—the very first photographic print process from the 1800’s.
The concept of making Digital Negatives is by no means new. However, HP’s new Large Format Digital Negative Application yet again shows their (HP’s) commitment to working at the cutting edge and taps right into the superb technology of my main workhorse, the DJz3200.
An unexpected, exciting bi-product of our research? I can’t help but feel this is the window I have been unknowingly seeking for a large proportion of my own work, which has been stored away for ten years or more.
Photographs of my first two Calotypes, printed by Richard Freestone, illustrate this post.

'Sca Fell' | Jack Lowe, 2003, 20x16" Calotype from HP Digital Negative
By combining old and new technology, a whole world has opened up at Jack Lowe Studio…
…photographers who only shoot digitally can now experience the joy of the very first photographic print processes by having a negative made from their files.

Detail of 'Sca Fell' | Jack Lowe, 2003, 20x16" Calotype from HP Digital Negative
From that negative, a stunning contact print of a true organic and magical nature.
Why is this important? Well, I believe it’s two-fold:
Firstly, in this age of ‘digital-bish-bash-bosh’ (a notion from which I’ve always steered away), photographers can now offer something unique and different; ironically the process which was so ubiquitous now becomes ‘different’!
The photographer is forced to slow down (this is by no means a rapid production process) and enjoy nature having a little control again through the vagaries and variables of chemistry.
It tickles me that the HP scientist, Angel Albarran, writes in the application’s supporting documentation:
“Note that none of these processes are colorimetrically correct…”
Wise words, Angel, and a suitable cautionary note against expecting to have total control beyond the making of the negative in such a beautiful, old process.

Detail of 'Sca Fell' | Jack Lowe, 2003, 20x16" Calotype from HP Digital Negative
Secondly, although collectors of photography are increasingly happy to pay top-dollar for a Digital Archival Pigment Print (such as those I have dedicated my life to making over the years), there will always be those who will only buy archival analogue prints.
The Digital Negative in the Digital Era makes this accessible and possible once more…

'Chris' | Jack Lowe, 1999, 20x16" Calotype from HP Digital Negative

Detail of 'Chris' | Jack Lowe, 1999, 20x16" Calotype from HP Digital Negative
A Footnote…
This post has been extremely popular; any discussions surrounding the good ol’ days of analogue really seem to hit the spot with my visitors—for good reason too with such an inspiring topic for those passionate about photography.
Thank you so much for all your interest, comments and emails and to Paul Debois for the kind mentions in his recent blog post, Alternative Print Processes.