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OP
Salt Printing Process -Help
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MattKing
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dwross said: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
I'm reading between the lines and doing a bit of guessing about your exact process, but
Oh !
I'm sorry then , I didn't know that.
I would definitely want to try that soon.
Thank you sir !
If baachitraka is uncomfortable with being addressed as "Sir", I wonder how Denise Ross (dwross) feels about it
.I personally appreciate it when someone starts out being more polite and formal then necessary - it bodes well for continued cooperation within this community.
But it probably suffices to just say: "Thank you!"
To the OP: Best of luck with your explorations.
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Do you really use Potassium Ferrocyanide?
OP
OP
Yes. It doesn't show much in the results. Made a 10min washing. My recipe : Potassium Ferrocyanide 10g + Potassium Bromide 10g +1000ml of distilled water.
There are many good things from colonial past which I personally would like to take but 'Sir'(over used word) which I am not so comfortable to use for addressing...
Andrew O'Neill
Moderator
Sir is nice. There is nothing wrong with being polite. Just don't call a sergeant major a sir because you will hear about it... oh yes, you will!
OP
OP
I get little patches when I use citric acid . Either I mix it along with the salt solution or mix it with silver nitrate at the time of applying a coat.It's not distracting , It removes the fogging for sure , but removes little bit of silver from the dense areas while washing the print.
Any Ideas ?
FYI.
I used 6g of citric acid per 100ml for mixing along with silver nitrate 13% solution in equal amounts at the time of applying the coat.
I used 5g of citric acid per 100ml along with other salt namely sodium chloride , sodium citrate & 10 drops of potassium dichromate.
Any Ideas ?
FYI.
I used 6g of citric acid per 100ml for mixing along with silver nitrate 13% solution in equal amounts at the time of applying the coat.
I used 5g of citric acid per 100ml along with other salt namely sodium chloride , sodium citrate & 10 drops of potassium dichromate.
Interesting. Yes it should help remove some of the fogging and your recent example seems to have cleaner whites. I have not noticed a change in density with citric acid in the silver nitrate solution, but I have noticed a change in color. I don't use sodium citrate or pottasium dichromate, so I don't have any idea how citric acid interacts with those. Perhaps the yellow could be related to the dichromate? You are doing things now that are beyond my experience, so I am only guessing.
When I add citric acid to the salting solution, I use only a small amount, like 1/4 % or 1/2 %. I only add it if I know the paper tends to fog if the drying and exposure goes a long time. I've never tried a stronger citric acid in the salting solution, so I don't know what effect it might have.
When I add citric acid to the salting solution, I use only a small amount, like 1/4 % or 1/2 %. I only add it if I know the paper tends to fog if the drying and exposure goes a long time. I've never tried a stronger citric acid in the salting solution, so I don't know what effect it might have.
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After reading through all the posts here, I amazed at the variety of approaches, and the many problems which have resulted. I began salted paper prints after reading the original notes by Fox Talbot. The papers of his day were all sized with gelatin, and very light in weight. Thus I began, and still use, 100% cotton or linen, 24 -32 pound papers only. I use plain gelatin in my salting mixture, along with either 99% pure sodium chloride, or sea salt with no additives. My only alteration of this is when I use filtered Pacific Ocean water. Each produces a beautiful print,but all differ in color.
The mistake I see being made by most in this thread is using too high a concentration of silver nitrate.
Ellie Young did a very complete job of experimentation and research when she wrote her thesis on the process. Her "The Salt Print Manual" is based on the thesis and is well worth reading if anyone is interested in mastering this beautiful process.
Earlier in the thread someone mentioned their negatives being to contrasty. It is difficult to imagine them having more contrast than the paper negatives from which the first beautiful salted paper prints were made. A few years ago I was honored to be asked to print such a negative from the 1840's. I was surprised at the great range of the negative, but used my normal process and the first print was successful. I began to increase the range of my negatives.
A couple of final thoughts, the chemistry of the 1840's was not very pure, especially when compared to that of today, and a lot more can be learned by studying the old treatises, than by following modern "experts" whose writings are often full of "old wives tales" taken as fact.
The mistake I see being made by most in this thread is using too high a concentration of silver nitrate.
Ellie Young did a very complete job of experimentation and research when she wrote her thesis on the process. Her "The Salt Print Manual" is based on the thesis and is well worth reading if anyone is interested in mastering this beautiful process.
Earlier in the thread someone mentioned their negatives being to contrasty. It is difficult to imagine them having more contrast than the paper negatives from which the first beautiful salted paper prints were made. A few years ago I was honored to be asked to print such a negative from the 1840's. I was surprised at the great range of the negative, but used my normal process and the first print was successful. I began to increase the range of my negatives.
A couple of final thoughts, the chemistry of the 1840's was not very pure, especially when compared to that of today, and a lot more can be learned by studying the old treatises, than by following modern "experts" whose writings are often full of "old wives tales" taken as fact.
Hi Jim,
My paper negatives were only "too contrasty" ( I should probably have written "too much range in density" ) when I added sodium citrate to the salt, like OP is doing. As you well know, paper negatives match the salt printing process very well!
I would like to know where you get your lightweight 100% linen paper... every time I have found it in a stationary store, it has very excessive texture. I've been wanting to try it ever since I first read your posts about it.
My paper negatives were only "too contrasty" ( I should probably have written "too much range in density" ) when I added sodium citrate to the salt, like OP is doing. As you well know, paper negatives match the salt printing process very well!
I would like to know where you get your lightweight 100% linen paper... every time I have found it in a stationary store, it has very excessive texture. I've been wanting to try it ever since I first read your posts about it.
Thanks Jim, I'll try Staples.
OP
OP
Thank you all.
I thought I found some acceptable recipe and paused my test printing for two days.
After seeing few post ,today I went on to test three types of salt combination with constant 13% Silver Nitrate Solution.
1. Crystal Sea Salt 4g, Sodium Citrate 13g (1:3) , Potassium Dichromate 32 drops 5% solution , Citric acid 5g - PART A 200ml solution.
I purposely made this concentration to know what could be the reason.
Result : A lot of white patches , fogged image . I believe the patches are due to Silver Nitrate's reaction with Potassium Dichromate or Citric Acid . IMAGE NOT USABLE. FAIL.
2. Same solution , increased the citric acid to 12g
Result : Slightly better image , comparatively less white patches but different kind of fogging , it was almost like rain drops on a water painting. IMAGE NOT USABLE . FAIL .
3. Crystal Sea Salt 2g , Sodium Citrate 2g , Citric acid 2g , Potassium Dichromate 2 drops per 30ml 5% solution- PART A 100ml solution.
Result : Acceptable image . Less white patches , no fogging. IMAGE CAN BE SHOWN AS TEST SAMPLE. FAIL.
WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM ABOVE THREE IS SODIUM CITRATE DECREASES DEVELOPING TIME. CITRIC ACID REDUCES FOG. BUT BOTH SHOULD BE MORE LESS EQUAL SAY 5g OR 6g PER 100ML.
4. I want to try the straight method 2% Crystal sea salt as PART A and CITRIC ACID -SILVER NITRATE COMBINATION AS PART B, may be tomorrow . I'm already tired making prints from 12 noon IST to evening 5.45 PM IST today.
I TRIED SOMETHING NEW TODAY , THAT IS APPLIED SOME BEESWAX TO THE 3. SALT SOLUTION IMAGE. IT IS NOW A USABLE IMAGE. I DIDN'T APPLY BEESWAX FOR THE EXTRA AREA. APPLIED JUST FOR THE IMAGE.
STILL I COULDN'T ACHIEVE NEUTRAL BLACK TONE. MAY BE AMMONIUM CHLORIDE SOME TIME.
My constant result came from this mixture Crystal Sea Salt 2.5g , Sodium Citrate 6.5g , Potassium Dichromate 2 drops per 30ml 5% solution / 100ml RO water or Distilled water as PART A . Citric acid 6g in 100ml distilled water , Silver Nitrate 13% solution mixed in equal portions at the time of applying as PART B. Result was Dark Brown color.
Thank you everyone for your support.
May be next month , If I can alot a budget I have plans to order Canson's Baryta or Photo satin paper to try my test.
PS: Forgive the image quality. Taken from mobile.Reduced to suite the upload.
I thought I found some acceptable recipe and paused my test printing for two days.
After seeing few post ,today I went on to test three types of salt combination with constant 13% Silver Nitrate Solution.
1. Crystal Sea Salt 4g, Sodium Citrate 13g (1:3) , Potassium Dichromate 32 drops 5% solution , Citric acid 5g - PART A 200ml solution.
I purposely made this concentration to know what could be the reason.
Result : A lot of white patches , fogged image . I believe the patches are due to Silver Nitrate's reaction with Potassium Dichromate or Citric Acid . IMAGE NOT USABLE. FAIL.
2. Same solution , increased the citric acid to 12g
Result : Slightly better image , comparatively less white patches but different kind of fogging , it was almost like rain drops on a water painting. IMAGE NOT USABLE . FAIL .
3. Crystal Sea Salt 2g , Sodium Citrate 2g , Citric acid 2g , Potassium Dichromate 2 drops per 30ml 5% solution- PART A 100ml solution.
Result : Acceptable image . Less white patches , no fogging. IMAGE CAN BE SHOWN AS TEST SAMPLE. FAIL.
WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM ABOVE THREE IS SODIUM CITRATE DECREASES DEVELOPING TIME. CITRIC ACID REDUCES FOG. BUT BOTH SHOULD BE MORE LESS EQUAL SAY 5g OR 6g PER 100ML.
4. I want to try the straight method 2% Crystal sea salt as PART A and CITRIC ACID -SILVER NITRATE COMBINATION AS PART B, may be tomorrow . I'm already tired making prints from 12 noon IST to evening 5.45 PM IST today.
I TRIED SOMETHING NEW TODAY , THAT IS APPLIED SOME BEESWAX TO THE 3. SALT SOLUTION IMAGE. IT IS NOW A USABLE IMAGE. I DIDN'T APPLY BEESWAX FOR THE EXTRA AREA. APPLIED JUST FOR THE IMAGE.
STILL I COULDN'T ACHIEVE NEUTRAL BLACK TONE. MAY BE AMMONIUM CHLORIDE SOME TIME.
My constant result came from this mixture Crystal Sea Salt 2.5g , Sodium Citrate 6.5g , Potassium Dichromate 2 drops per 30ml 5% solution / 100ml RO water or Distilled water as PART A . Citric acid 6g in 100ml distilled water , Silver Nitrate 13% solution mixed in equal portions at the time of applying as PART B. Result was Dark Brown color.
Thank you everyone for your support.
May be next month , If I can alot a budget I have plans to order Canson's Baryta or Photo satin paper to try my test.
PS: Forgive the image quality. Taken from mobile.Reduced to suite the upload.
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
OP
Hi All ,
Here is a link to a book.
http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:7850/Young.pdf
it is amazing.
Got all the abc's of salt printing and toning.
If you have read or seen this book before kindly forgive, I just found it and was able to connect to the book a lot.
Makes me think What I've been doing ? I have mixed all salts together as one solution but with told proportions ..LOL Guess my prints needs a good cotton rag paper .A good toning method say Gold Borax & platinum as described in the book with a photo reference ( For the look that I'm aiming at)
Thank you all.
Here is a link to a book.
http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:7850/Young.pdf
it is amazing.
Got all the abc's of salt printing and toning.
If you have read or seen this book before kindly forgive, I just found it and was able to connect to the book a lot.
Makes me think What I've been doing ? I have mixed all salts together as one solution but with told proportions ..LOL
Guess my prints needs a good cotton rag paper .A good toning method say Gold Borax & platinum as described in the book with a photo reference ( For the look that I'm aiming at)Thank you all.
Last edited:
OP
OP
I tried two digital negatives types.
OHP and Inkjet (Asian Reprographic $13 per 100 sheets A4 ,only brand available in my state).
OHP negative was taken from laser printer. The result was decent but the midtones and shadows were mild in negative itself. I could able to resuse the negative.
With Inkjet - I got all neat print but the emulsion side is sticky not water resistant , darket ink might stick to one's finger when rubbed.This one I may not . Risks of black ink sticking to exposure glass or sensitized paper is high.But I'm Ieft with no choice.
I just to know , How is PICTORICO films ? Is that water resistant ? Is emulsion side a finger print magnet ? Is it reusable. ?
OHP and Inkjet (Asian Reprographic $13 per 100 sheets A4 ,only brand available in my state).
OHP negative was taken from laser printer. The result was decent but the midtones and shadows were mild in negative itself. I could able to resuse the negative.
With Inkjet - I got all neat print but the emulsion side is sticky not water resistant , darket ink might stick to one's finger when rubbed.This one I may not . Risks of black ink sticking to exposure glass or sensitized paper is high.But I'm Ieft with no choice.
I just to know , How is PICTORICO films ? Is that water resistant ? Is emulsion side a finger print magnet ? Is it reusable. ?
Hello, You seem to be using a lot of different chemical combinations.
Why don't you first master the basics as shown here (http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/saltprints/a-dash-of-salt) then experiment to your hearts content...
Why don't you first master the basics as shown here (http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/saltprints/a-dash-of-salt) then experiment to your hearts content...
OP
OP
Hi CED,
That is the first thing I tried.
I found out paper that we use plays a vital role.I used a different paper for my mixture ,
Crystal salt & sodium citrate 1:2 ratio /100ml.
Potassium dichromate 7 drops / 100ml
Above as Part A ( Made out of R/O WATER )
Citric acid & Silver Nitrate 13% as part B.
Result was brown but papers unbleached tone boosted the print ,it was complementing in the end.
I used Canson Montval wet on wet water color paper.
Though it looks little washed. I think I can improve in future.
That is the first thing I tried.
I found out paper that we use plays a vital role.I used a different paper for my mixture ,
Crystal salt & sodium citrate 1:2 ratio /100ml.
Potassium dichromate 7 drops / 100ml
Above as Part A ( Made out of R/O WATER )
Citric acid & Silver Nitrate 13% as part B.
Result was brown but papers unbleached tone boosted the print ,it was complementing in the end.
I used Canson Montval wet on wet water color paper.
Though it looks little washed. I think I can improve in future.
Attachments
That looks neat and the whites seem very nice!
I don't know what it is called, but this print seems to have something that I just love about salt prints.. it's almost like you can see the light going through the air in that stairwell. There is subtle atmosphere in those highlights. I really like this print.
I don't know what it is called, but this print seems to have something that I just love about salt prints.. it's almost like you can see the light going through the air in that stairwell. There is subtle atmosphere in those highlights. I really like this print.
OP
OP
Thanks NedL,
I'm glad you liked it. it was a test print 6" x4 ". Forgive the quality of the picture ,it was taken from mobile and cropped to suite the upload.I found some inkjet transparency film not water resistant but can be used for once for sure. It helped me.Also the paper. I'll be sponsored for buying some gears next month. I'll start making A4 size prints of my photographs.I post my experimental photographs in www.500px.com/kicha . Actually I was trying to match the color that I achieved digitally in my salt prints. Not there yet , hoping for good in the future
Thank you sir once again
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