can a digital negative replace an enlarger for alt process?

[clay harmon]

I actually knew of one of these UV enlargers that was installed, and then the tricky question of focusing the image came into play. Not only does UV focus on a slightly different plane (the old 'chemical 'versus 'visual focus' problem familiar to collodion workers), but think about the potential problems with using a traditional grain focuser on high intensity reflected UV light magnified and directed right at your eyeball. Not a great idea when you think about it. Contact printing starts looking a lot safer!

Enlarging of pt/pd, or other alternative processes, is not impossible if you have a powerful light source. For example, Fresson in France prints with a very powerful UV light source with a dichromated colloid system, and there are several people in the US who have had enlargers built for printing with pt/pd. However, these units require light sources high in UV of 10,000 watts or so and specialty glass that passes a high amount of UV. It is not practical, IMO, but to each his/her own.

Sandy King

[George Stewart]

I've printed Pt/Pd with digital negatives.

Being able to do all the adjustments in the computer, first, makes all the difference compared to attempts at dodging and burning of a conventional negative while making a contact print. Also, a digital negative allows one to make a print, from a digital camera or any size negative, with the crop and size that one desires. In my opinion, it is the only way to print, other than digitally. Take advantage of technology, you will not be disappointed.