Kallitype: Your Wisdom

Franswa · 2025-09-15T21:13:43-0400

Hello good People. I’m about to begin my exploration into kallitype printing and would like to ask you for one single piece of advice that you found to be critical in helping you learn this process. What’s that one nugget of wisdom you wish you’d known known that you hadn’t previously?

gbroadbridge · 2025-09-15T21:36:06-0400

Franswa said:
Hello good People. I’m about to begin my exploration into kallitype printing and would like to ask you for one single piece of advice that you found to be critical in helping you learn this process. What’s that one nugget of wisdom you wish you’d known known that you hadn’t previously?

It's going to take a lot longer and cost more in materials than you ever expected, before you get to a reasonable print.

retina_restoration · 2025-09-15T23:27:12-0400

Franswa said:
Hello good People. I’m about to begin my exploration into kallitype printing and would like to ask you for one single piece of advice that you found to be critical in helping you learn this process. What’s that one nugget of wisdom you wish you’d known known that you hadn’t previously?

The best nugget of wisdom I can offer you is this: buy the Kallitype book by Don Nelson. There will be no unanswered questions if you follow this bit of advice.

awty · 2025-09-16T00:03:51-0400

When I proposed to start Kallitypes along time ago, I was advised to start with VDB's, that I did and never progressed any further. VDB is easier and more affordable and so far I haven't seen anything in Kallitype or for that matter P/P to make me want to try either.

revdoc · 2025-09-16T02:41:13-0400

I second VDB as the preferred path, if it's feasible. Kallitype is more flexible in terms of contrast, which makes it a better choice for film negs. With digital negs, VDB is the way to go.

My single nugget of kallitype advice: stick with sodium citrate developer. Clearing will be you biggest problem, and citrate developers are your best. option on that front.

koraks · 2025-09-16T02:42:58-0400

Don't try to fix in the print what the negative lacks. Put differently: make the negative fit for the printing process.

Kallitype: Your Wisdom

Franswa

gbroadbridge

retina_restoration

awty

revdoc

koraks

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