How to fix a solargraph

NedL · Sep 23, 2014

NedL submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - How to fix a solargraph

Solargraphs are usually ephemeral and kept in a dark box. Here is a simple method to fix them so that they may be stored and viewed safely in the light.

Ilford MGIV and Adorama VC RC paper emulsions contain ingredients that act like incorporated developer. If you put the paper into alkali solution, you will get some self-limited development, and the amount of development can be controlled by how alkaline the solution is. This development is complete in less than 20 seconds at room...

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

Mod edit Nov '23: this resources has moved and it is currently available here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/resources/how-to-fix-a-solargraph.72/

removed account4 · Sep 23, 2014

thanks ned !

ME Super · Sep 23, 2014

Thanks! Will definitely try this out with my next solargraph.

pdeeh · Sep 24, 2014

I think you've tried this with Lumen prints as well Ned?

TheToadMen · Sep 24, 2014

Excellent idea and clear instructions. I'm gonna try this! I'll place a pinhole camera for about 4 weeks to do a first test with normal B&W photo paper. I'll also try a sheet of Harman Direct Positive Paper to get a positive analogue image in the first place. I'm curious to see if the DDP will work as a solargraph the same way as regular B&W (negative) paper.

I'm also gonna post a pinhole camera in my garden this week for the next WPPD 2015 on April 26th, 2015. This gives me 7 months to expose the solargraph.

NedL · Sep 24, 2014

pdeeh said:
I think you've tried this with Lumen prints as well Ned?

I used strips of lumen prints to dial in the recipe, but I haven't done it with them since then. MGIV lumen prints "develop" a funky olive green cast, which could work for some lumen prints. I left those out on the shelf in the sunny window for the same 8 months and they were fine too. I think it could be interesting to try this with various toners...

I thought if the developer was weak enough this might work, so I started out with caffenol which is supposed to be a weak paper developer. I kept reducing the amount of coffee more and more and more but every time there was fog and the result was black after fixing. In frustration, I tried it in just the water with soda, and was amazed when the same thing happened. Then I reduced the concentration of soda more and more, but didn't find good control until I started adding the bicarbonate. With strips of lumen prints and rows of baby food jars, all I needed was some lightning rods and crazy hair and the picture would have been complete!

MartinP · Oct 3, 2014

Well experimented, and rather useful results !

ME Super · Jun 24, 2016

NedL said:
With strips of lumen prints and rows of baby food jars, all I needed was some lightning rods and crazy hair and the picture would have been complete!

I'm gonna be a Mad Scientist this weekend. I've had a solargraph exposing for the past 6 months. I've got my bottle of Ilford Rapid Fixer, and gonna pick up some washing soda and baking soda on the way home. We'll see what develops... Muahahahaha!

And a little thread necromancy doesn't hurt the mad scientist image either.

tezzasmall · Nov 8, 2017

I've only just found this link - just as Autumn and Winter approach and there's no light to do a lumen or solargraph,,,

But I've bookmarked this link and printed it out, so hopefully the next time there's a good bout of light I know what I'll be doing!

Terry S

NedL · Nov 8, 2017

Hi Terry,

You can make a lumen print by putting it next to a window, even on cloudy days there is some UV. It might take a couple days but it will still work. Also, most CFLs will work... put it on a table with a CFL desk lamp for 5 or 6 hours....

Wow...

that's not much sunshine during the winter. But still, if you stuck a solargraphy can out for 2 months, it might get 100 hours of sun, on different days, and they can look even more interesting if it's not sunny every day. A bigger challenge is keeping condensation out of it, and I haven't solved that yet. It's no fun going to collect your can and finding it full of water up to the pinhole. I've made a couple with a "drain hole" stuffed with black foam ( hoping it will keep the light and bugs out, but let the water seep through... ) but haven't tried them yet so don't know if it's a good idea or not.....

removed account4 · Nov 8, 2017

if you live near the ocean or where there's snow there's a lot of reflected light
have fun !!
ned, you are a wizard !

GhostDragon95 · Nov 11, 2023

Sorry for writing to such an old topic, but is there any way to see solargraph fixing recipe? because link as i see is not available anymore
PS. I found the link https://www.photrio.com/forum/resources/how-to-fix-a-solargraph.72/ but Google unfourtunately does not propose it

koraks · Nov 11, 2023

GhostDragon95 said:
Sorry for writing to such an old topic, but is there any way to see solargraph fixing recipe? because link as i see is not available anymore

Welcome to Photrio!
Apologies for this glitch. I've edited the opening post to include the new URL. For completeness' sake, it's here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/resources/how-to-fix-a-solargraph.72/
Please note that the 'Resources' can be searched separately through this link: https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/?type=resource

GhostDragon95 · Nov 11, 2023

koraks said:
Welcome to Photrio!
Apologies for this glitch. I've edited the opening post to include the new URL. For completeness' sake, it's here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/resources/how-to-fix-a-solargraph.72/
Please note that the 'Resources' can be searched separately through this link: https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/?type=resource

Thanks a lot)

koraks · Nov 11, 2023

You're welcome!

GhostDragon95 said:
but Google unfourtunately does not propose it

Can you show the Google search you used, please?
It's possible Google doesn't index our Resources.

GhostDragon95 · Nov 13, 2023

koraks said:
You're welcome!

Can you show the Google search you used, please?
It's possible Google doesn't index our Resources.

of course,
mine looks like this, underlined one is this topic

koraks · Nov 13, 2023

Thanks - OK, that indeed turns up this thread instead of the actual resource itself. @Sean, is this something we have any influence on, at all?

jeanli · Jan 22, 2024

Just wanted to pop on to say that I just tried this with my unfixed lumens--is still too soon to say about fading, but I defintely lost the gorgeous colors from the originals. Boo. I think I will try contact printing the original unfixed lumens to color paper next , why not? The lumens should be fine with a blast of enlarger light, its the sun I'm afraid of!

Nicholas Lindan · Jan 22, 2024

As mentioned in the lumen print thread, after all solargraphs are lumen prints. By sing rapid processing stabilizer the colors are mostly preserved and the print doesn't fade or darken.

See: https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/rhododendron-blossom-lumen-print.33407/

jeanli · Jan 22, 2024

Yes I see...hmm maybe I am doing it incorrectly? I lost all the purples.

Synthon · Nov 2, 2024

This is awesome, i already wondered if there is a way to fix the Solargraphys, maybe even after scanning to get the original image. If i can do, i will try the process and Post before/afters

How to fix a solargraph

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