19th century processes

zgan · Mar 20, 2007

If you want to reproduce a 19th century photo process such as salt prints or albumen prints.How do you determine what paper to use so it looks and feels like the original
thanks zgan

JG Motamedi · Mar 20, 2007

I suppose the best thing would be to walk into a store and start fondling the paper with an original in hand. Of course, this doesn't guarantee that the paper will actually work...

That said, I can tell you that for Albumen printing the best choice and most "authentic" feeling paper is Strathmore 500 1-ply Plate.

Jim Noel · Mar 20, 2007

You do research to find out what qualities the paper of the time exhibited.
Most papers of the 19th century were sized with gelatin, but not all. Also, they were generally very light in weight.

Chazzy · Mar 21, 2007

JG Motamedi said:
That said, I can tell you that for Albumen printing the best choice and most "authentic" feeling paper is Strathmore 500 1-ply Plate.

Is it readily available from the usual suspects, or do you have a tip about a supplier?

kevs · Mar 21, 2007

Chazzy, there are loads of threads about papers in this forum, so do a little searching and you'll find tons of useful information from the folks here about which papers work and which don't.

Yesterday's Papers, by Martin Reed of Silverprint is a good place to start for historical info. So is Alternative Photography

I've been using Cotman 90gsm paper for kallitype and cyanotype. Bockingford doesn't work for kallitype, at least IME. A friend has had good results with The Langton HP for salties.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 21, 2007

The best price I've found on Strathmore 500 1-ply Plate finish for albumen printing has been online at Jerry's Artarama in quantities of 25 sheets or more.

19th century processes

zgan

JG Motamedi

Jim Noel

Chazzy

kevs

David A. Goldfarb

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