Any interest in a new alt print exchange?

[MattKing]

I just received my first Alt print today, "Kenwood Park" by T** N******. It is a very nice scene of winter trees, a palladium toned kallitype print. Very nice, T**, thanks very much.

PS - I always put my exchange activity in the Forum, rather than the "conversations". That way, I don't generate so many emails.

I've amended your post.
Just a reminder that it is best to use Photrio screen names rather than actual names in open thread posts - people choose the screen names for a reason, and that reason may be to preserve a modicum of privacy.
Obviously, I chose a screen name to match my real name. Sanders chose to include his real name in his posts, but others have made the conscious decision to do otherwise.
Enjoy your exchange. As I type this, I can look up and enjoy an Andrew O'Neill kallitype that Andrew gave me in exchange for one of my toned silver gelatin prints. Exchanges of any type are great!

 

[mfohl]

I've amended your post.
Just a reminder that it is best to use Photrio screen names rather than actual names in open thread posts - people choose the screen names for a reason, and that reason may be to preserve a modicum of privacy.
Obviously, I chose a screen name to match my real name. Sanders chose to include his real name in his posts, but others have made the conscious decision to do otherwise.
Enjoy your exchange. As I type this, I can look up and enjoy an Andrew O'Neill kallitype that Andrew gave me in exchange for one of my toned silver gelatin prints. Exchanges of any type are great!

Hi Matt, normally I use the photrio handles in any communication that I use here. But in this case, I found only the participant's name. I double checked the envelope this morning: only a name. And I looked at the list of addresses in the conversation: no handles, only names. Using his name was the only way I could acknowledge the print.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

PS - I always put my exchange activity in the Forum, rather than the "conversations". That way, I don't generate so many emails.

Given Matt’s concerns about preserving anonymity in public posts, let’s close down this thread and continue our discussions through the private conversation. It solves Matt’s concern. And a private “conversation” is the the same as a public thread so far as convenience goes.

 

[koraks]

Hi Matt, normally I use the photrio handles in any communication that I use here. But in this case, I found only the participant's name. I double checked the envelope this morning: only a name. And I looked at the list of addresses in the conversation: no handles, only names. Using his name was the only way I could acknowledge the print.

We have a few participants in this particular exchange who don't have a Photrio account

Given Matt’s concerns about preserving anonymity in public posts, let’s close down this thread and continue our discussions through the private conversation.

That would work for me I'm sure there are ways to deal with the email notifications the private discussion generates. Most email clients have filters that allow messages with a particular subject to be routed to a certain folder and/or automatically marked as 'read', for instance.

So I have now locked this thread - if any of the participants would like to have it reopened, please hit the 'report' button on this post and indicate you'd like the thread to be reopend!

 

[MattKing]

And after some off thread discussion, the thread is now re-opened again. I'll let Sanders and other participants discuss amongst themselves how to deal with protecting any privacy interests they wish to protect - "no surprises" is always a good thing
Have fun with the exchange!

 

[fgorga]

I am one of those who uses my real name here so I'm fine with either mode of communication... i.e. open posts or private conversations.

I will point out if one goes to the preferences page for your account you can uncheck the option to receive an email whenever you get a private message here.

If you do that, then you just need to remember to look at your conversations periodically more or less as you look at regular posts.

 

[mfohl]

I received two really nice envelopes today. One from JN in Rhode Island. A modified "classic formula" cyanotype. Abstract, of course! Made from a long exposure on paper, then transferred to a film substrate. This was used to make the final cyanotype, and J included both the print and part of the negative. Very cool!

The other was from FG in NH. It contained not one, not two, but three nice images, each a cuprotype from a digital negative. All three have different final toning. The images are "Bellows Head", "Burnt Head, Monhegan Island, Maine" and "Tiptop House".

Excellent images, thanks J and F!

I don't know why I'm telling you all of this, you'll be receiving them too.

 

[BHuij]

I also received hands-down the most unique cyanotype I’ve ever seen, and a little clip of the negative.

It’s a cool abstract suggestive of a grove of trees. I have so many questions. What did you use to wax and pigment it?

Thanks J!

 

[Rolleiflexible]

I now have a stack of really beautiful prints from the exchange! Not everyone has mailed theirs out — I know one participant is mailing this weekend — but I am really happy that this was an exchange completed in a few weeks, not several months.

It was suggested that exchange participants post scans of their prints for other members to see. Here’s mine, a platinum-toned kallitype:

Again, I thank all of the group for participating. It was time well spent.

 

[mfohl]

I received two more beautiful images, one of which is pictured above. Either the cow is taking a modern dance class, or she's got an itchy ear. A beautiful platinum toned kallitype. The other is a fine leaf entitled "Mytol Maple", so named for the developer. A gold toned kallitype. I'm guessing this is from a 35mm negative, as there is a reference to the images on "the roll". Then cast out to a digital neg? Thanks Sanders and A!

Also, my images went out today.

 

[koraks]

Today, I received three gorgeous cuprotypes from @fgorga! A fascinating variation in appearance achieved with very simple chemistry - and great images as well.

 

[fgorga]

For the 'record', here are scans of the prints I sent folks...

These prints were made using the thiosulfate version of cuprotype and digital negstives. The prints are 4x5 inches on 6x7.5 inch Fabriano Unica paper.

Train Depot Window, Bellows Falls, Vermont
(cuprotype toned with copper/citrate/ferricyanide)

Burnt Head, Monhegan Island, Maine
(cuprotype toned with copper/citrate/ferricyanide and then toned with iron)

Tip Top House, Mount Washington, New Hampshire
(cuprotype toned with copper/citrate/ferricyanide and then toned with citric acid; note though the second toning was not effective)

 

[fgorga]

Today's mail brought me a cyanotype from @mfohl and a carbon print from @koraks.

Both prints are wonderful. Thank you gentlemen!

 

[koraks]

That was quick, thanks for letting me know, @fgorga!

 

[mfohl]

I received a very nice double transfer carbon print from koraks today. A beautiful print of an old tree, the "Cathedral Tree" with nice messages and initials carved in it. Nice bit of history, personal history.

Thanks Raphael!

 

[koraks]

Good to hear; thanks!

 

[koraks]

@Sanders' print made it to Europe! It really glows - I like it a lot. Takes me back to a hike in the Pyrenees in southern France where I encountered a herd of cows in the mist on a high slope!

 

[mfohl]

And today I received a beautiful platinum/palladium Christopher Perez, a very classy figure study. Very nice. Great subject for an alternative process print. My only question is whether the original image is from a film negative or a digital image. Not that it matters, but it will satisfy my curiosity. Excellent. I believe that is the eighth and filnal image from this round. Thanks to all!

 

[Rolleiflexible]

And today I received a beautiful platinum/palladium Christopher Perez, a very classy figure study. Very nice. Great subject for an alternative process print. My only question is whether the original image is from a film negative or a digital image. Not that it matters, but it will satisfy my curiosity. Excellent. I believe that is the eighth and filnal image from this round. Thanks to all!

No! We still await a print from TheFlyingCamera! Given all of the alt processes he is conjuring in the District of Columbia, i am anxious to see what he sends to us.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

@Sanders' print made it to Europe! It really glows - I like it a lot. Takes me back to a hike in the Pyrenees in southern France where I encountered a herd of cows in the mist on a high slope!

Thank you! I just received yours as well -- it's the first carbon transfer print I've seen and I love it. The danger, with exchanges like this, is that it makes me want to throw away my disciplined attachment to my own process (kallitypes for now) and go chase new ones. Do you suppose it might be possible to marry carbon transfer with kallitypes?

 

[koraks]

Do you suppose it might be possible to marry carbon transfer with kallitypes?

Anything is possible

Yes, in fact you could. One could make a kallitype, then size the paper and use it as the final support for a carbon transfer.
The reverse is probably also possible - i.e. transferring a carbon print to a gelatin-sized paper support, then kallitype-sensitize it. But I suspect it's a little harder to get a nice and even kallitype sensitization of a gelatin surface, and you might run into clearing issues in processing the print as som stuff may end up trapped inside the gelatin matrix.

So several options, I'd say. Are you going to give it a try?

 

[BHuij]

he other is a fine leaf entitled "Mytol Maple", so named for the developer. A gold toned kallitype. I'm guessing this is from a 35mm negative, as there is a reference to the images on "the roll". Then cast out to a digital neg?

Lost track of this thread somehow. You are correct - 35mm FP4+, shot through my Elan II. Scanned at 4k DPI, digitally dodged and burned, printed on Pictorico as a digital neg.

The danger, with exchanges like this, is that it makes me want to throw away my disciplined attachment to my own process (kallitypes for now) and go chase new ones.

Yep. I always thought cyanotypes were kind of a boring, washed-out blue process, they didn't much interest me from what I saw online. Then I got one in person from this exchange and saw the gorgeous deep blue that was actually possible. I guess it makes sense - a lot of people's first and last experience with alt process is something "easier" and inexpensive like cyanotype, and they approach it as a curiosity rather than a legitimate artistic medium. The result is a lot of mediocre prints when you search Flickr or Google Images for "cyanotype." But seeing one that was carefully produced by someone who understood the importance of getting tones and exposure and contrast correct...

Long story short I swan dived right into the world of New Cyanotype a week or two after getting the print from @mfohl and have been having a blast with it.

@Rolleiflexible how likely do you think this is to turn into a recurring exchange? I for one would enthusiastically participate again even if we did another one next week.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

@Rolleiflexible how likely do you think this is to turn into a recurring exchange? I for one would enthusiastically participate again even if we did another one next week.

I would be game for another. I didn't intend to make this a regular exchange. But I do like having a reason to print for others. And I liked keeping the group small and informal. If enough people want to do it again, I'll coordinate.

 

[mfohl]

I just received two nice paladium prints from Scott Davis. "Glen Echo Carousel" and "Stone Wall, Fredericksburg". Both very nicely executed alt prints. The carousel is really cool, and it was a great idea to do two long exposures, one with movement and one without. Also, the rock wall is a great subject for alternative handling.

No need to apologize! These are great prints!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I just received two nice paladium prints from Scott Davis. "Glen Echo Carousel" and "Stone Wall, Fredericksburg". Both very nicely executed alt prints. The carousel is really cool, and it was a great idea to do two long exposures, one with movement and one without. Also, the rock wall is a great subject for alternative handling.

No need to apologize! These are great prints!

Thanks for letting me know you got them and that you like them. I just feel bad I disappointed a bunch of folks by taking so long to get them made and in the mail.