Fine Art Printing Paper by Micheal and Paula

In an effort to duplicate long discontinued photographic papers for printing, the team of Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee created not only a silver chloride paper with the look that is no longer available, but also a developer for the papers. The developer is based on Amidol, and the paper is Lodima. That is, Amidol spelled backwards. This paper has deep blacks, bright highlights and a long scale of midtones.

Michael spent many iterations developing the formulation for the paper, using as a guide a print he made on Kodak Azo paper chosen for its broad range of grays. This newly developed paper is intended to reproduce the look and tonal range of Azo papers, which Kodak discontinued. He feels to have succeeded and exceeded expectations with Lodima. He then contracted with a company in Germany to manufacture the paper. After two runs in 2008 and 2012, he is ready to start looking at another manufacturing run.

While the Michael and Paula's online store still lists a number of sizes of Lodima, photographers who would like a particular size that is not in stock are recommended to contact them to place an order. In the past, Michael did not charge for orders until the paper was manufactured and ready to ship.

The paper is suitable for contact prints, particularly from large format view cameras, but any large negative will work. Being a slow paper (not very sensitive to light), exposures take a long time with enlargers.

Those who have used it have made claims about its tonal range and beauty. Here are some testimonials:

• “The paper has marvelous tones...maybe the deepest blacks I have EVER seen in a silver print.”
• "Is the paper Azo? No, I think it is much nicer. It has a lovely scale, tone and paper surface which I find much more appealing."

About Michael and Paula

Michael and Paula are fine art photographers with decades of experience. They hold exhibitions of their prints and feature some of their photographs online. They run a successful photo book press, Lodima Press, after which the Lodima paper is named. Michael also offers custom lab services and archival gallery materials (custom cut matts, etc.) at the same online store.