carbon and smooth tones

[mark]

Everything I have read says to NOT try to use negs with large expenses of smooth tones like skies or or skin tones when you start.

There really is no explanation that I have found to explain what the pit falls are. Can someone enlighten me as to what the pit falls are or the possible issues that might arise? I have a still life project in mind.

 

[Vaughn]

I think I have said it once or twice -- but merely to warn folks not to get too discouraged when trying the process for the first time. Actually the opposite is true -- large areas of smooth tonality will quickly point out any sloppiness in one's process.

Possible pitfalls:

Incomplete or uneven mixing of the pigment in the glop
Excessive graininess caused by poor pigment choice (particles of carbon too big)
Beard hairs, dust, etc in the glop
Uneven sensitizing
Defects on the neg

That is what I can think of right now.

vaughn

 

[mark]

That is not bad.

 

[Hexavalent]

It's the lightest smooth tones that usually cause trouble, as they are the thinnest and most fragile portion of gelatin.
"Technique" is everything

 

[Vaughn]

I have a 5x7 carbon print of a woman (nude) standing by a redwood. Beautiful print -- but there is a beard hair in the gelatin right in the middle of her left cheek of her bum.

 

[Hexavalent]

I have a 5x7 carbon print of a woman (nude) standing by a redwood. Beautiful print -- but there is a beard hair in the gelatin right in the middle of her left cheek of her bum.

Was it in the negative too?

 

[mark]

Way to many bad things I want to say about that post vaughn.

 

[Vaughn]

I said in the gelatin, boys...

 

[Hexavalent]

I said in the gelatin, boys...

At least you didn't say in the 'glop'

 

[Curt]

OMG!!!! I just snorted my coffee!

But really guys!!!

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

It really is about refining the complete work flow as Vaughn has said. The rewards are wonderful when you get it right. The challenge is worth the reward. Portraits are beautiful in carbon and getting clear skin tones is tough. Skies have always been a problem for me but I normally do not include them anyway.