Alt Print Exchange Round 2 May 2006

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think my schedule and the sun's schedule are finally working out, so I've mixed up some silver nitrate solution and plan to sensitize tonight so I can get some albumen printing in tomorrow for this exchange and alt-exchange #1. Sorry for the long delay, folks!

 

[Nige]

End of May.

phew... we might get a sunny day that align's with the printing gods by then!

 

[magic823]

Group 2, I mailed your prints today.

Steve

 

[gr82bart]

I wanted to publicly thank Joe Lipka who PMed me an outstanding critique. Joe analyzed my pic and give me an in depth review which I will take to heart. I am going to excerpt parts of it here, since I think his comments have merit to any noobie like me:

Deniser negatives are better

Your negative needs to be denser. More robust. Thicker, bullet proof. You know what I’m talking about. How can I tell? Here’s how to tell. You need to print for maximum black through the clear edge of the film. You should not be able to discern between the black that is printed through the clear film base and the black that does not have film over it.

Expose for shadowsand develop for highlights

Once you get to that point, then what you will find is that your whites are not white. They will probably be grey. Then, you need to increase your exposure and development to get the highlights correct. Remember expose for shadows, develop for highlights?

Use good paper

Good paper than Fabriano.

Use a high quality synthetic hair brush and not a foam brush or puddle pusher

If you wish to continue with alternative processes, get yourself the Richeson series 9010 brush. It really is a superior brush for coating. It’s also much more expensive. I was not a true believer until I actually used one. I will not go back to my puddle pusher (coating rod).

Use the negative to control contrast, not the chemistry

From the Photographer’s Formulary web site, I see their kit contains two Ferric Oxalate solutions. One is used for the contrast control. This is not the best way to control contrast. My experience is that the negative has to be the primary controller of the contrast when using the second FO as a contrast agent. I have been told that if you make your solution a high contrast one, the FO as a contrast agent will cause grittiness in the highlights.

Use a sturdy contact print frame

In terms of image quality, it looks a little bit soft. That occurs when the negative is not in complete contact with the paper all during exposure. So you need to be careful about the printing frame that you use. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just sturdy and very solid.

I think this is solid basic information to get noobs like me to the next level. Thanks Joe.

Regards, Art.

 

[Jeremy]

I can't wait until Joe gets my print! Helpful criticisms like that are few and far between. Many thanks for posting it, Art.

 

[colrehogan]

Group 7 might be guinea pigs for a shot taken with my new camera.

 

[Mark Fisher]

Diane -- I hope so.........

Mark

 

[gr82bart]

Came home to some great pics today!

A nice PT from Jeremy Moore and an amazing one from Joe Lipka. Joe typed up an in depth disertation on how the print was made that is invaluable. One day, I'll make a print half as good.

Thanks, Art.

 

[philldresser]

OK I have finally got my prints together, and ready to post. Those in my group will be receiving this image soon. I have posted it into the Experimental gallery today.

I had a few wobbly moments with a new paper but the ever helpful John Brewer helped me through it. For his endevours he will receivea print as well. Thanks again John.

Carl, If you send me your address by PM I will send you a tea-toned tulip in recompense for the images you sent me last year.

Cheers

Phill

 

[magic823]

Received an incredible Pt/Pd Nude print from Allen Friday this week. Wow! Nicely done!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[CarlRadford]

Appreciated Phill - pm sent!

Cheers, Carl

Carl, If you send me your address by PM I will send you a tea-toned tulip in recompense for the images you sent me last year.

Cheers

Phill

 

[Travis Nunn]

Nigel, Rory and Jim, I've finally inked up my bromoils and they should be ready to go out in the mail in about a week.

 

[mark]

The end of the school year was way rough. The time I thought I would have is not happening. My prints will be late. Sorry folks.

 

[nze]

I will aslo have some delay. I will ship my prints at last on next Monday. Sorry to my group member .

 

[reellis67]

I've sent mine to two of the three in my group. I just need the address of our third and theirs will be ready to hit the post office. I've sent a PM but not gotten a respose yet.

- Randy

 

[Travis Nunn]

I just received a pt/pd print from rorye. Beautiful print! Glad to hear the poppy had a long, happy life.

 

[colrehogan]

I am still planning to get my prints made before leaving for the VC conference next week. However it might not be a 5x12, but an 8x10. Depends on which one I can get to look right first.

 

[Nige]

the end of May deadline is here and it's all action in the Alt Process print exchange!

Mine are going out tomorrow, assuming the good wife does what's she's asked!

 

[Ole]

the end of May deadline is here and it's all action in the Alt Process print exchange!

Who's got the Douglas Adams quote in the signature?

"I like deadlines - I love the wooshing sound they make as they go by"?

Well, I don't like deadlines, nor the wooshing sound that woke me up in the middle of the night.

I'm late, again. After I eventually get these off, I'll withdraw from all exchanges until I have a BIG preprinted stack!

 

[Peter Schrager]

prints

No excuses here except that I've been out of the country. Mine will go out by the middle of June. Sorry 'bout this...
Peter

 

[Travis Nunn]

I've already pm'd my group to let them know I'll be late with mine...

 

[John_Brewer]

Yay, I got a lovely cyanotype from Randy today. Thanks Randy!

 

[buggy]

Mine are done. I wanted to try some other things and possibly do a different image but ran out of time. I'll try to get them in the mail by the first of next week.

 

[Nige]

I'll withdraw from all exchanges until I have a BIG preprinted stack!

I've mumbled that under my breath a few times... but alas I don't stick with it!

Mine did go today! YEAH!

Yesterday I got a stunning print from Rory!

 

[rorye]

I've mumbled that under my breath a few times... but alas I don't stick with it!

Mine did go today! YEAH!

Yesterday I got a stunning print from Rory!

Nige, I'm so glad you like it! This is great fun! Rory