Ron Mowrey/PE's Emulsion Making Book/DVD set

[Kirk Keyes]

I had the opportunity to viewed Ron Mowrey's emulsion making book and the two accompianing DVD's a couple of weekends ago and I'd like to report my impressions of them here.

DVD first - I'm quite impressed with both the amount of information presented, but also the quality of the presentation. Even though filming is done with only one camera, and generally with presented with a static shot of what's happening, the camera work is done well. Other than a few short sequences where there is water running in the background, the audio is quite understandable and very clear. (There's a couple minutes that have water running in the background, but the audio is still of good quality, it's just not as clear as the majority of the rest of the video.)

Ron and Greg, his videographer, do a great job and it's a product that they will have every right to be proud of making.

I read through the first 40 pages of the book and the last 40 pages, and I skimmed the hundred or so pages in between. I've attended one of Ron's classes, and there is a lot more information presented here and in greater depth than I remember from the class. Both in actual emulsion making formulas, as well as in the theory, science, and practice behind emulsion making.

While I highly recommend taking one of Ron's emulsion making classes, the combination of his book and the DVDs is certainly the next best thing to taking his class. (I recommend the class as you get to ask questions and get to see the process first hand - something you can't do with a DVD or book.)

This book and DVD set is going to be very useful for anyone interested in entering the field of emulsion making.

Kirk Keyes

 

[Photo Engineer]

Kirk;

Thanks. I'll pass the comments on to Greg as well.

Ron

 

[Steve Smith]

Is this ready to be ordered from anywhere yet?


Steve.

 

[AgX]

A few days ago PE stated this:

The draft of the book and the finished DVDs are being reviewed. The book has at least one more revision. Maybe late this year.

Thanks.

PE

 

[Steve Smith]

Thanks. I missed that.


Steve.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I thought that I had posted this, but I guess I was interrupted.

The reviewers to date have made suggestions that would add just about a chapter to the book plus a large expansion in one section. On the first 5 pages I have found about 2 errors per page.

So, I am getting my nerve up to tackle the job of revising this draft. I expected as much, but nevertheless, this will take time.

Please bear with me. The suggestions were good and will improve the book. It basically repeats material in 3 ways so far:

1. Simple with no experiments some data
2. Experiments with data and photos
3. Full details and lots of science and math

This means that for your convenience, some graphs and photos are repeated as many as 3 times, but the reviewers say that this works by having the data (proofs if you will) handy at all stages.

I have even contemplated having samples of the various raw papers and films bound with the book, but that might be overkill. It might also be too expensive.

PE

 

[dwross]

I have even contemplated having samples of the various raw papers and films bound with the book,...
PE

That's actually an excellent idea. You could sell the book/DVD with samples as your premium product at a premium price and the book/DVD sets without samples (or just photocopied samples) at a more entry level price. It could improve your $ bottom line nicely. You wouldn't have to bind the samples into the book. Just slip them into a pocket inside the cover, as I assume you're planning on doing with the DVD. The samples could be small. One 8x10 print would yield four pieces.

I know I'd spring for the premium set. You only had a few azo-type prints at our workshop three years ago. I'd love to see the progress you've made on a greater diversity of recipes.

Good luck with the editing. Not fun, but certainly part of the process.
d

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I too would love to buy a copy with paper samples. Of course, I would buy it without as well. Can't wait to see the final product.

 

[Emulsion]

Sounds excellent PE. Keep up the great work. I'm eager to buy a copy.

Emulsion.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Please note that in my previous post I said "raw paper and film". To me and in the industry this means uncoated paper samples. I'm sorry if there was a misunderstanding but quite a few people have asked me what I have coated on, and I thought that giving them some identified pieces of the actual papers I use with descriptive information on them in the text, this might help.

I simply cannot make the number of prints, even 4x5, that would be required to be coated, exposed and processed to send out sample prints or negatives.

Sorry.

PE

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

On the other hand, once a few people are up and running, they could organize a print exchange on APUG to share their results.

 

[rmazzullo]

Sounds excellent PE. Keep up the great work. I'm eager to buy a copy.

Emulsion.

PE,

Same here. It would be a great Christmas present...for me.

Bob M.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Ron-when will the book and dvd be available??
Peter

 

[Photo Engineer]

Peter;

I'm doing my best. To quote myself "The draft of the book and the finished DVDs are being reviewed. The book has at least one more revision. Maybe late this year."

PE

 

[Q.G.]

When can we subscribe for a signed first edition?
I want one ... !

 

[Photo Engineer]

You can have it as soon as it is done. When that will be depends on how fast and how good the current rewrite goes. I'll do my best.

PE

 

[bdial]

This could be the most anticipated book since Harry Potter!

(Around here, at least).

 

[Q.G.]

No pressure then.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yeah, I'm going to call it "Harry Potty and the Chamber Pot of Secrets".

PE

 

[rmazzullo]

That's as good an emulsion kettle as any, I suppose....but I am not so sure about the addenda...

Bob M.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Bob;

Ok, I see your joke, but my joke is well known on the internet.

PE

 

[c.d.ewen]

Ron:

Still waiting. How's it going?

Charley

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Just spoke with Ron. And I hope I am not being too forward as to be speaking on his behalf until he replies in person. He has had other things going on this summer. I await the release as well. And I am sure he is putting as much energy into the project as can be diverted.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ron is waiting as fast as he can.

Steve

 

[Photo Engineer]

Actually, I am having a problem with an emulsion.

Those that have proof read the current draft of the book have suggested more informaiton on why things happen. This should be in the formulas section. So, that is one thing I am working on revising.

Then too, I am trying to fix a solarization problem with an emulsion. At first I thought the original samples had a coating defect, but it was solarization so I am studying the problem. It is basically a 100 speed AgBr/I and may need metal dopants. So, I have that to fix in the lab and then write up.

Next, it was suggested that I have an actual pump make in the book just like the work on the DVD. Even though any formula can be done using pumps, a specific example was thought to be in order, and so I am working on a double run emulsion with ramped addition that might be as high in speed as ISO 400. IDK yet.

The last thing suggested was some tests showing addition of specific stabilzers for keeping. My assumption right now has been to make and use, even though they keep for over 6 months coated or in the fridge. In fact, the best keeping was over 1 year. But, I want to do at least one example comparing the normal and stabilzed example.

So, I've been reading, re-reading and editing. It is progressing, but as Chris said, events this summer brought the work to an abrupt halt in early spring. I hope to be back to full time lab and writing work in mid October.

Best wishes to all and my thanks for your patience.

PE