Just touching base due to all the tips I've gotten here.
28" canvas, FOMA emulsion sprayed on with an HVLP gun, 3 coats. (Composite of 2 negs, model is sitting in a life-sized set, background is a scale model, maybe 18" tall. Composited with enlarger masks, no pixels).
Had some odd problems with this - test prints on RC/fiber worked great at full size - I've worked out the contrast filters and exposure differences for Ilford RC to match the Foma (fixed grade) as closely as possible. The big horizontal print? Highlights went very gray, had to bleach the print and lost a lot of facial detail - there's a way better print lurking in there, her face just looks lame IMO. My "easel" is a lumber frame with 3 alignment points (drum brake springs and threaded handles), "baseboard" is 1/2" plywood painted... amber-yellow. In a light-bulb moment I realized that Foma requires a red safelight, and possibly the highlights are reflecting back through the canvas enough to add more exposure? That'll be my next test.
Anyway, spraying this stuff with HVLP is really nice (I have a darkroom spray booth, 2 powerful vent fans sucking, and wear a respirator, need to look into full-face forced air next). Spraying a 25x30" canvas is just a few seconds per coat, I could likely hold my breath if I had to! I made one big-ass tray from plywood and porch paint, it can drain into buckets (chems) or the sink (washing). This is tinted with oil paints and varnished, it really looks a foot deep in person. Anyway, thanks to everyone who posts here!
28" canvas, FOMA emulsion sprayed on with an HVLP gun, 3 coats. (Composite of 2 negs, model is sitting in a life-sized set, background is a scale model, maybe 18" tall. Composited with enlarger masks, no pixels).
Had some odd problems with this - test prints on RC/fiber worked great at full size - I've worked out the contrast filters and exposure differences for Ilford RC to match the Foma (fixed grade) as closely as possible. The big horizontal print? Highlights went very gray, had to bleach the print and lost a lot of facial detail - there's a way better print lurking in there, her face just looks lame IMO. My "easel" is a lumber frame with 3 alignment points (drum brake springs and threaded handles), "baseboard" is 1/2" plywood painted... amber-yellow. In a light-bulb moment I realized that Foma requires a red safelight, and possibly the highlights are reflecting back through the canvas enough to add more exposure? That'll be my next test.
Anyway, spraying this stuff with HVLP is really nice (I have a darkroom spray booth, 2 powerful vent fans sucking, and wear a respirator, need to look into full-face forced air next). Spraying a 25x30" canvas is just a few seconds per coat, I could likely hold my breath if I had to! I made one big-ass tray from plywood and porch paint, it can drain into buckets (chems) or the sink (washing). This is tinted with oil paints and varnished, it really looks a foot deep in person. Anyway, thanks to everyone who posts here!
