Question for all you Bromoilists

Travis Nunn · Mar 1, 2006

I'm relatively new to the Bromoil process and I need a little advice.

It seems that the biggest problem I'm running into is water streaks after each time I soak the inked matrix. The only way I've been able to get rid of them is to apply lots of ink to it and roll it out with the soft foam brayer. The problem there is it starts to look too much like a regular photograph. Any suggestions? I know experience is the best teacher, but I'm starting to run low on patience.

I'm using JandC Bromoprint paper.

Gay Larson · Mar 1, 2006

are you making sure that you are blotting every single drop of water off the wet print with a shop paper towel before you start inking?

Travis Nunn · Mar 1, 2006

Yeah, I've made sure of that. As I pull the matrix out of the water, that's when the streaks form and even after drying the water off, they are still there. As I'm writing this I just had an idea, could it possibly be the ink isn't stiff enough?

ann · Mar 1, 2006

which fixer are you using and at what diliton ratio?

are these occuring after you begin inking and re-wet, or right from the beginning.

perhaps Gene will drop in and shed some light on this as i know he checks in frm time to time.

Travis Nunn · Mar 1, 2006

Fixer? I used Ilford Rapid Fix 1:9

The streaks begin after I begin inking and then re-wetting.

ann · Mar 1, 2006

try a 10% solution of plain hypo.

and stiffer ink.

Travis Nunn · Mar 1, 2006

stiffer ink seems to be helping quite a bit. I only have one matrix left, which I'm getting ready to ink up in a few minutes.

terri · Mar 1, 2006

Using the stiffer ink helped, then? I'm a little late getting into this, but that's what I would have suggested trying, as well. Getting the "feel" of the ink is something that takes getting used to. I've tossed a few more ruined matrices than I even care to think about.

I've been curious about using the Ilford Rapid Fix, too. I read a lot before I got started, and the one common theme was to just use plain ol' hypo crystals, as Ann was saying - so I've just stuck with that. You fix after developing the print, and fix again after the bleaching/tanning step.

I'll be interested in hearing how it works for you, as well as how you like using that paper you mentioned!

Travis Nunn · Mar 2, 2006

I think I'm going to try plain old Hypo next go around. Like you, its all I've ever heard anyone use, but I figured since I had the rapid fix I'd just use that instead. I don't know if it makes a difference, but everyone else uses it so...

terri said:
...I'll be interested in hearing how it works for you, as well as how you like using that paper you mentioned!

I don't think I can give much of a review of the paper. Pretty much everything I'm churning out right now is 1 step above crap. Give me some time and I might be able to.

terri · Mar 2, 2006

t_nunn said:
I think I'm going to try plain old Hypo next go around. Like you, its all I've ever heard anyone use, but I figured since I had the rapid fix I'd just use that instead. I don't know if it makes a difference, but everyone else uses it so...

I don't think I can give much of a review of the paper. Pretty much everything I'm churning out right now is 1 step above crap. Give me some time and I might be able to.

awww....stop being like me, your own worst critic.

I've wonder, as well, about the introduction of any type of chemical compound when fixing for bromoil prints, because I like the Ilford (and had some on hand when I first started). I ordered the hypo crystals, since I tend to blindly follow the recipe, so to speak, when trying something new. If anything goes wrong I can then at least eliminate that factor.

Good luck with it! Hope you post your results.

Travis Nunn · Mar 2, 2006

You may be right about the fixer. I've inked up my last matrix so I'll have to print more before I can try using straight hypo. Right now though, I'm headed out on a 3 day hiking trip to reset myself.

Hopefully I'll have some results to post in a week or two.

Gay Larson · Mar 3, 2006

I got really anxious to try the ink before my hypo crystals came in and I can tell you it did not work well. There was a world of difference after I started using the hypo crystals. I also found that Ilford warm tone semi-matt finish works well.

Travis Nunn · Mar 6, 2006

Thanks for the info Gay, that's really interesting. I guess it pays to listen to others advice sometimes. Looks like I'll be ordering some hypo today. I'll give it a shot and post my results.

terri · Mar 6, 2006

Gay Larson said:
I got really anxious to try the ink before my hypo crystals came in and I can tell you it did not work well. There was a world of difference after I started using the hypo crystals. I also found that Ilford warm tone semi-matt finish works well.

I'm definitely happy to hear you've had succss with this paper, Gay. Still scrounging about for choices to replace Agfa! Thanks!

Gene_Laughter · Mar 9, 2006

Bromoil Streaking

Travis - I'm just ducking in and have been really busy lately moving to a new down-sized house. It sounds like you have come up with the solution - stiffer ink! That should do it.

I only use hypo crystals and avoid rapid fix for bromoil.

Good luck and cheers!

Gene

t_nunn said:
I think I'm going to try plain old Hypo next go around. Like you, its all I've ever heard anyone use, but I figured since I had the rapid fix I'd just use that instead. I don't know if it makes a difference, but everyone else uses it so...

I don't think I can give much of a review of the paper. Pretty much everything I'm churning out right now is 1 step above crap. Give me some time and I might be able to.

Travis Nunn · Mar 9, 2006

I think that switching to hypo crystals rather than rapid fix combined with stiffer ink will do the trick. I'll be going into the darkroom a lot over the next week so I plan on coming out of there with at least 10 bromoil candidates. I'll post my results if I can make a few good ones. Thanks for the inspiration Gene!

Question for all you Bromoilists

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