Fumed Silica Example

Looks like a similar effect to pre-flashing regular silver gelatin paper. The general contrast is lowered quite a bit. How's the local contrast?

Very cool. Pray tell what is fumed silica? is it just finely powdered sand? I also have some powdered mica that seems like it might be a good thing to try, I just worry about it coming off the paper along with some bits of image... do you see that problem? If so I wonder about binding it with something.

Ok, my bad Thomas, let's reverse that. Image on the left, normal, image on the right... Fumed Silica. Apologies. My typing got ahead of me.

Ah, that makes a lot more sense. But, some folks like a more muted tonality, so you never know.
Seems like a really interesting tool for your foto toolbox!

Agreed Thomas. Maybe not for every print, but it's great to have it in the box.

Wiki Fumed Silica...

http://goo.gl/RQ9oL

Don't know about mica, but we have been using other things like Magnesium something or the other for thickening inks for bromoil for some time. I have a bit of that, might give that a try too.

FS may be working due to it's huge surface area. I keep thinking it's like super coating but that doesn't explain the boost in contrast.

very interesting robert !
i had never heard of fumed silica ... so you are coating the paper with it like a subbing layer / pre coat to thicken inks, and your metals ?

i'd be careful with mica dust .. that stuff is crazy airborne .. and you don't want to breathe it in !
in sheets it is interesting because it is eisenglass ... stove glass/stagecoach windows ... probably you would be able to coat IT
if you had a big enough piece

thanks for posting this ... always something to learn about !!
john

I think you're on to something with your surface area comment, Robert. Offhand I'd say you get a boost in contrast when you have more surface area per viewing area. And small particles have very high surface area. And the particles you put on have *very* high surface area, I would say. The way I think of it, this effect is kind of similar to what you get from double coating/exposing, which is of course a PITA. The mica powder was given to me by a luthier who plays with all manner of backyard potions to try to improve the look and performance of wood coatings. It looks like fine white powder but it has a certain shimmer.... I just worry about it flaking off, that's all. But your stuff has jagged, kind of fractal edges so I guess it has very good binding.

This just goes to show that the old processes can still be improved after all of this time.

Well done.

On my monitor here it seems you have an enhanced D-Max. That would make a deeper print with more apparent contrast. I'm also wondering if the fumed silica keeps the image more on the surface. That too might make for less of the light striking the image being scattered when viewed. Must try it. I assume you got the materials from B&S? Thanks for posting.

Of course it is hard to tell exactly how much it has improved on the 'net, but "fumed silica', how cool does that sound!