Are there competitors to Liquid Light?

[Thomas Bertilsson]

What is the consistency like? Is there a solvent in it that allows it to remain liquid? Does one heat it?

Chris,

You melt the solid emulsion by heating it. When it cools it goes solid again. It is pretty thick in its viscosity.

- Thomas

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yes, you melt the emulsion at 40C and hold it there. You coat at that temperature and air dry. The amount used increases as a function of "softness" of the paper and also as a function of the texturing. Cold press papers need more emulsion than hot pressed papers, and you have to use about 100# paper in order to survive the photographic process. Some papers will nearly dissolve during the process.

Each time you melt the emulsion, it will change slightly due to heat ripening at the least. This will change contrast and fog. It may also be necessary to dilute the emulsion with gelatin to adjust the contrast. In fact, in the reference above, one of the products is a special dilution gelatin, probably used just for this purpose.

PE

 

[holmburgers]

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

The amount used increases as a function of "softness" of the paper and also as a function of the texturing. Cold press papers need more emulsion than hot pressed papers, and you have to use about 100# paper in order to survive the photographic process. Some papers will nearly dissolve during the process.

Thanks for the info, and that makes a lot of sense. I am trying a couple of different substrates, to make sure I get something that will lie flat under the enlarger, as well as something that is tough enough to withstand some wet time for toning, etc. I'm planning on getting pretty crazy with the liquid emulsion.

- Thomas

 

[gandolfi]

That does make it expensive, because you'd pay for the paper too. Yikes.
If it says that 1kg liquid emulsion will cover 3 square meters, then your math is correct. I wouldn't coat the whole sheet since I print 8x8" on that size paper, so I'd probably get a bit more. But still - yikes. Seems like they're trying to make a lot of profit on something that they put very little work into once the original R&D is done.

I will try it anyway. I have some of the Rockland Liquid Light at home, so I'll start there and see where I end up.

Thanks,

- Thomas

hi Thomas.
I use FOMA emulsion for two reasons:

1: it is so much fun and makes beautiful, unique prints.
2: when you get the hang of it, it is quicker and much cheaper in use than paying for quality papers!

PE has a lot of good comments (I don't know how to show them here...)

I don't know whather a rod would be "the best" way for applying the emulsion - it all depends on how you want the result to be...

I always use a brush (Hake or Sumi (no metal parts!)) but never ever a foam !!
They suck up the emulsion - it gets sticky quickly, and they present all kinds of air bubbles....

If using a textured paper, you can try this:
first layer: add a small amount of hot water to the emulsion. This will liquify it more and it is easier to make an even coating.
Next layer use the normal amount.

If you're afraid to alter the emulsion over time - (repeted heating) - you can take the amount you need (use plastic or wodden spoon/knive), and put it in a light proof container, and then you'll only heat the emulsion you need.

I heat higher than 40 degrees (proberly a bad thing, but I havn't had any problems with it yet) - about 50 degrees.
The "test" is to make it remain liquid.
Put the container with melted emulsion in a can with hot water - place this in a developing tray with hot water..
Put a small piece of cloth in the tray, and place a plastic container (I have good resusts using the trays they put "Ferreo Roscher" candy in !!!) - the cloth will prevent it from tilting - the thin plastic keep the emulsion hot for a longer time - and the candy tastes good!!

(I should make a small video of my low tech method to use this emulsion - it is difficult to explain in writing....)

any questions: just ask.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Mange Tak, Emil!

I'll be sure to ask lots of questions. The time for me to start my new project is just around the corner, with testing beginning next weekend.

Hilsen,

- T

 

[Photo Engineer]

Thomas;

Ask questions. I have dozens of answers. I was even contemplating uploading a video of me coating some paper.

Don't forget our workshop in September. We spend quite a bit of time learning how to coat paper!

PE