How can I create craquelure on the film surface?

thanos · Jan 24, 2012

A couple of years ago I read a tutorial on some site (regret not bookmarking it) that somehow created a pattern of cracks on the emulsion. It involved something like a thermal shock with frozen/boiled water and some chemical. I really liked the results but forgot about it since I didn't have access to a darkroom. Now, does anyone know what I'm talking about? I'd like to try and print such an effect in the darkroom. Also, if it's possible to create the effect with household chemicals, I'd appreciate it.

I searched 'film craquelure' and variants on google to no effect [bad pan - i know ].

Thanks.

Barry S · Jan 24, 2012

It sounds like you want to try to create film reticulation. You need to start with an old formulation film like Fomapan or Efke and develop, stop, and fix (no hardener) as normal. Then you thermal shock the film by plunging it into very cold water--and the soft emulsion shrinks and cracks.

pgomena · Jan 24, 2012

Try looking for "reticulation." The film is not cracked, but forms a pattern of crack-like ridges in the emulsion. The not-so-secret is to develop your film normally and then dip it into alternate cold and hot water baths. This alternately shrinks and swells the emulsion leaving the worm-like pattern of ridges. I find it's fairly easy to do accidentally, especially when using an emulsion hardening developer like PMK. I've accidentally reticulated Tri-X sheet film developed in PMK on a couple of occasions just by having poor temperature controls in processing.

Peter Gomena

bobwysiwyg · Jan 24, 2012

It's called reticulation. See..

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Normally to be avoided, but as you say, can create a pleasing affect sometimes.

removed account4 · Jan 24, 2012

you could always coat your film with water-glass ( sodium silicate ) and roll a brayer or something else over it,
or bend it &c.

thanos · Jan 24, 2012

Yes. Yes. That's exactly what i'm looking for. Thank you everyone!

Newt_on_Swings · Jan 24, 2012

You might want to do this on dupes, as this process is quite random.

Another option to get a crackle effect is to enlarge the image though a crackled glass plane or crumbled cello that is flat on top of the photopaper.

removed account4 · Jan 24, 2012

if you find silicate,
it washes off with warm water ..
( so it isn't permanent )

thanos · Jan 25, 2012

Newt_on_Swings said:
You might want to do this on dupes, as this process is quite random.

Another option to get a crackle effect is to enlarge the image though a crackled glass plane or crumbled cello that is flat on top of the photopaper.

Interesting. I'll try this too. Thanks

thanos · Jan 25, 2012

jnanian said:
if you find silicate,
it washes off with warm water ..
( so it isn't permanent )

Actually I don't know what is silicate and what to do with it.

removed account4 · Jan 25, 2012

water glass is a clear liquid they use to coat eggs ..
they also use it in everything from masonry to auto repair

it will dry and form a thin layer, that can be manipulated &c...
unlike collodion, waterglass is not sensitive/flammable

have fun !
john

thanos · Jan 25, 2012

Aha! Found it. Thanks jnanian, will try that too.

removed account4 · Jan 25, 2012

put it on a piece of scrap useless film before you put it
on your negative .. make sure it washes off ...
last i used it i had no trouble removing it, but younever know ...

have fun !
john

How can I create craquelure on the film surface?

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