Silver Gelatin Prints From Digital Inkjet Negatives

               Although the birth of digital photography has lessened the frequency and need for enlarger prints from negative, we have found that there is a climbing demand for making digital inkjet negatives made from every possible digital file type - iPhone, Phase One, scan etc.

              This negative making service is a multi-step process, where we take your files, apply a black and white conversion, create inverted digital files and create Inkjet digital negatives to size of print needed. Once we have done this, the digital negative is contacted to the silver gelatin paper of your choice to create a print. This embedded printed image then goes through stages of chemistry, washing, and fixing, to render a hybrid, silver gelatin print, rooted in photography's history that will last for years to come.

              We are currently using all photographic papers that are available with vendors world-wide. We do this work on a rotating ganged-up basis. We use Ilford warm-tone glossy or semi-gloss papers for our silver gelatin printing. Other papers will be considered based on the artist's need.

* for specific papers, or sepia/selenium toning, please contact us via email for a quote.

               Since the digital revolution, few people are printing from negatives. Therefore, when we print from negatives, we require a minimum print order and/or a day rate plus materials to ensure this 8-step archival printing process is followed, rendering the best possible quality.

We still make silver gelatin prints from original negatives using two enlargers - Devere 11x14 and 5x7. Before digital, this was the way to make silver gelatin prints, and we honour that tradition here by continuing to offer this service to our clients.

               If this historical process interests you, and you have negatives (including glass plates, and/or negatives up to 11x14), please email us for a quote.

Because chemistry needs to be mixed, for small orders we suggest to clients to have their images printed when we have other silver gelatin prints to be made for other artists. This helps to avoid being charged a minimum order fee. If your order is needed in a more timely manner, we will need to charge you a minimum order fee which will be determined based on the size of your order.

Paper Size

8x10
11x14
16x20
20x24
30x40

Enlarger Print
(1 final print)

$130
$175
$235
$340
Q

Dig Contact Print
(price incl. dig neg & 1 print)

$135
$160
$195
$250
Q

Range of Dig Contact Prints
(price incl. dig neg & 3 prints)

$140
$175
$215
$290
Q

Larger Projects



These are priced at a day rate only. Please contact us for a quote.

Bob signing the Vivian Maier prints

        

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               Since 1991 – Bob has been processing and printing for the photographer who prefers, appreciates and collects silver gelatin prints. Over this 25 year span there has been a digital revolution that has completely changed the way we make images. Film, and consequently silver paper, has taken a back seat to its cousin’s, digital capture and inkjet prints.

               Bob has stubbornly kept a very active darkroom going during this whole period. It seemed that all competition either embraced digital and threw out their enlargers, or were too old to continue. Bob uses two enlargers for the bulk of his work. Thanks to a previous employer he has at his disposal an 11" x 14" and a "5x7" Devere enlarger that is a beautiful example of last century’s mechanical design and usage.

               Today, collectors still demand and cherish silver prints. These silver gelatin prints for the last 60 years were the go-to product for all photographers and gallery’s world-wide. The advent of inkjet has diminished its presence, but not its collect-ability.

               A silver gelatin print exhibits a full range of tones from the deepest black to the brightest of whites, or it can be manipulated to just offer a small range of tones. With toning, different colours can be introduced and in some cases, greater archival stability.

               To date Bob has placed silver prints in private and public collections, museums and gallery’s world-wide.
Most recently Bob was commissioned by Stephen Bulger Gallery to produce a series of silver prints of Vivian Maier’s work. This was a very important milestone for Bob on a personal level as this type of photo documentary work that includes portraits is close to his heart.