First Van Dyke print

glbeas · May 12, 2020

My first Van Dyke print, threw it on to the sheet with the Stouffer scale while I was testing for exposure with my black light bank I mounted under the enlarger work table. Now I need to learn to make digital negs so I can do some of my 4x5 and medium format images a bigger size, unless I can find a good reliable process to dupe my negs under the enlarger.

BrianShaw · May 12, 2020

Congratulations on your success!

awty · May 12, 2020

Very nice indeed.

glbeas · May 13, 2020

Fyi, heres how I mounted the black light bank under my enlarger work table.

koraks · May 14, 2020

glbeas said:
Fyi, heres how I mounted the black light bank under my enlarger work table.

Pretty similar to my setup. It's convenient; the exposure unit ia out of the way when I don't need it, but still easily accessible.

Your test print looks nice. Be sure to make some prints where you mask the borders so you can verify if there's no residual staining of the highlights.

glbeas · Jun 2, 2020

I finally got my new uv led strips in the mail and mounted them in my exposure unit. I made my first digital negative today and after a few tests made a print. The negative file needs some corrections to print such a shadowy image but did a decent job otherwise.

ProfessorC1983 · Jun 2, 2020

Nice work! What was the exposure time to get that level of contrast? Are you using the standard, tartaric acid formula?

Also, you may be interested in my recent post about modifying my Omega enlarger with a strong UV light source to make cyanotype prints successfully. Trying VDB with said contraption is next on my list!

glbeas · Jun 2, 2020

That one was 15 minute exposure but I think it was a bit too much, think between 10 to 12 may be optimum. Standard van dyke formula.
Its about half the time the fluorescents gave me for the same density, but more even and covering way more area.

scheimfluger_77 · Jun 3, 2020

Nice setup. And great photo.

ChristopherCoy · Jun 3, 2020

WOW! Nice work. I can't wait to move on to VDB's, but I'm committed to mastering the CT first. Nice setup too!

glbeas · Jun 4, 2020

More results, getting to know the process better.

glbeas · Jun 8, 2020

Finally got my digi neg right, now I can work on other issues.

Peter Schrager · Jun 8, 2020

Bergger print film is the way to go for enlarged negatives
Works under regular safelight and doesn't scratch

glbeas · Jun 9, 2020

That sounds interesting! How easy is it to control the contrast of it? Who is your preferred provider?

nmp · Jun 9, 2020

Are you using a bluish paper or is it the phone?

glbeas · Jun 9, 2020

Thats the phone, its crap for color balance. Its Crane 90# cover.

First Van Dyke print

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