Contemporary Autochromes (color slides from 100 years ago)

dokalab.nl · Dec 11, 2014

Dear members of the APUG,
I do not know if you can help me but I'm looking for researchers doing research on recreating Lumieres Autochromes.
On several site's and blogs I can find plenty of people who are working on preserving autochromes but I'd would like to use my knowledge as photographer and chemist for contemporary autochromes plates.
I've read the book 'The Lumiere Autochrome' and contacted Frederic Mocellin, Morgan Post and Monique Deschaines but perhaps you know other people who could support me.
Please let me know
Yours sincerely
Rob de Jong

AgX · Dec 11, 2014

Keep in mind that Autochrome was not the only photographic additive system that employed a random grid.

There is a sort of hype around the Autochrome system going on.

dokalab.nl · Dec 11, 2014

Hmm, for a hype I was expecting more response until now
And beyond that, I love hypes.
So, if there are people who have to ad something substantive to my request, please let me know

Photo Engineer · Dec 11, 2014

Over the last several years, there has been an increased interest in recreating Autochromes, and several groups have attempted it. The results so far have been far from the mark. In fact, even with access to the original Lumiere equipment and notebooks, the results have been less than one would have expected.

I wish you good luck, but this seems to be harder than expected.

PE

flavio81 · Dec 11, 2014

I always wondered why it can't be replicated today. I assume the difficulty lies in achieving the little tiny specks of multicolored starch in such a way that they remain dense, uniform, and with little overlap?

bernard_L · Dec 11, 2014

Keep in mind that Autochrome was not the only photographic additive system that employed a random grid.
There is a sort of hype around the Autochrome system going on.

Why not share with us poor souls your knowledge about the other systems? That would be the best way to deflate the hype(?) around the Autochrome process.

Photo Engineer · Dec 11, 2014

Those other systems were "shared" in detail in the many threads on Autochromes here on APUG. In fact, some of the alternate systems were replicated using an ink jet printer to make the matrix and Tri-X to make the photo.

Basically, almost all of the older systems used a matrix of R/G/B strips on an undercoat of a B&W film. Just like modern color TV, when exposed through this matrix and then reversal processed, when projected through the base you get a reversal color image. One excellent example was Dufay Color.

Another method was the lenticular system which was sold by Kodak. It was much the same, but the base was coated with lenticules which broke the light up and upon projection recreated the original colors.

And since they were good examples, but never stopped the "hype", well, you see how effective it was.

PE

dokalab.nl · Dec 11, 2014

I am aware of the problems.
A positive attitude and a lot of third party inputs must bring me closer..... I hope

GregW · Dec 11, 2014

I recently found some Paget screens, I've only made one exposure through them as a sort of an exposure test, I didn't reversal process the sheet, Acquired the reversal chemistry and will probably make more exposures when it warms up in the Spring. Paget Colour uses a taking screen and a viewing screen to improve speed, since i'm shooting 100 asa film my viewing screen will do for both. It uses a sort of tartan plaid looking matrix. Frank Hurley used the process on the Shackleton expedition in '15. has a similar look to autochromes.

Photo Engineer · Dec 11, 2014

Steve Frizza here on APUG reproduced the Dufay, and Mark Osterman at GEH has also done it.

PE

AgX · Dec 11, 2014

bernard_L said:
Why not share with us poor souls your knowledge about the other systems? That would be the best way to deflate the hype(?) around the Autochrome process.

I was thinking of the Agfacolor system.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Dec 14, 2014

I contacted with Author of Autochrome book , Prof.Levadrine and he says he is using an old autochrome plate which its bw layer removed and than RRGGBB screen used as a lens filter on big format camera for bw panchromatic film and than bw layer and rrggbb screen been met and makes the slide.

I had been developed a idea to reproduce the rrggbb screen with contact slide film and than sell to the masses.

Search Autochrome in engine , least 500 posts waiting you.

But you would not be able to find a better idea than above.

Contemporary Autochromes (color slides from 100 years ago)

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