Salted Paper Prints - an experiment

Kimberly Anderson · Apr 20, 2010

So I just mixed up some saltwater made from salt I collected at Spiral Jetty. I am following the formula outlined in C. James book with the 4 tablespoons of salt to 1 quart of water.

I have soaked 10 sheets of Platine and 5 sheets of Bristol Smooth. I have had very good luck with Cyanotype and VDB on the Bristol, so we'll see how it goes.

I also mixed up some new Silver Nitrate Solution #2 as outlined in his book as well.

Hopefully I can coat in a few hours and see where this takes me.

I plan to print images from Utah's Great Salt Lake with this process. Hopefully all of the pieces come together...

Oh have I mentioned I've never done this before? Yeah, I'm nervous.

Jim Noel · Apr 20, 2010

There is no reason it will not work on the proper paper. Originally salt prints were made on paper sized with gelatin and I have found i can achieve greater densities on 100% linen or cotton papers with gelatin in my salting mixture.
Good luck

Kimberly Anderson · Apr 20, 2010

Wow, better results than expected! This process is incredible...all toe and no shoulder. I will post photos tomorrow...

largeformat pat · Apr 21, 2010

Salt is fun.
Pat

Kimberly Anderson · Apr 21, 2010

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Arches Platine

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Arches Platine

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Bristol Smooth

Guillaume Zuili · Apr 21, 2010

Looks very promising. Seems you need more contrasty neg. Will you tone ?

largeformat pat · Apr 22, 2010

I would suggest trying a coating rod. Also better contrast in your negs. If you have a densitometer about 1.8. Toning is optional. Wash properly. Then fix. wash properly again. have fun.
Like the chicken.
Pat

Kimberly Anderson · Apr 22, 2010

I don't like the coating rod. I was trying a hake brush on the 4x5's just to see how it would be. I ususally use a Richeson Magic Brush and have several sizes dedicated for each process. I don't know if I will tone or not. I have been told that Gold toner is particularly nice.

The top negative is super contrasty. I have some that are even more contrasty and they might work out very nice with this process. I shall never again be afraid to shoot in contrasty light.

removed account4 · Apr 22, 2010

hi mike
love your stuff ..
i have ingredients to make salty prints this summer
box camera and print developer will make perfect negative i figure

pat, don't you have to tone them so they don't disappear ? i was under the impression
from all the things i have read ( and seen ) that toning was essential ..
or the environment will pretty much dissolve the image ...

what kind of rooster is that, a (foghorn) leghorn or RI Red ?

john

Kimberly Anderson · Apr 22, 2010

It's not a rooster, she's one of my Barred-Rock laying hens. She just thinks she's a rooster...but her yummy eggs prove her wrong day in and day out.

largeformat pat · Apr 23, 2010

From what I understand, toning is recommended however not essential. I have many prints 30 years old and they are fine. Just ensure they are fully washed after exposure.Then fixed in a hypo fixer. Then washed totally. I did find the rod a pleasure to use. I found the brush gave streaks like you have on the first prints.
Pat

Salted Paper Prints - an experiment

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