The Alt Processes, inspiration and APUG

philldresser · Nov 6, 2005

Just a thank-you and congratulations to all those APUGgers that have posted images from a miriad of Alt Processes recently. The standards have been quite outstanding.

I realise that we all develop and grow as photographers but a year ago I would not have considered even contemplating these techniques. Now I catch myself thinking "that would work as a cyanotype or kallitype" etc. Next step is to match the thoughts to the process and actually do it.

You have really opened my eyes to the wonderful oppurtunities that exist in the various mediums and I am truly inspired and thankful.

Anyone else inspired by the work posted?

Phill

John_Brewer · Nov 6, 2005

Phill, if you want a little dabble in cyanotype send me your address and i'll pop two bottles of cyano solution in the post for you to try.

J

photomc · Nov 6, 2005

Inspired?!! you bet ya! In fact blame all of the time, money I have spent learning about process/paper/chemistry all on APUG. Polaroid transfers were the closest thing to alt process I had done before coming to APUG. Then saw work of some of those here - Kerik, Jorge, Mateo (still the only person I know that does uranium prints) and many others and started to "wonder" about the different process. Then along came Sandy King and all that talk about Pyrocat-HD and how well it worked with Alt Process.

So to the, new to me, Crown out and bought a kit from B&S and started making prints. Then got a really nice plt/pld from Mateo in one of the group exchanges that was 5x7 and thought 'hey what a nice format' so next thing I know I have a 5x7, then another, now an 8x10 - plus all these different papers to coat, each one with it's own personality for a process. Oh, and did I mention the contact print frame not to mention building a UV light box for exposures.....

And it's ALL Seans fault...no that's not right ...... It's all APUG's fault that I have no spare time or money, because of those people that got me interested in making the best prints I can.....and never seeming to get there....but Darn this is one fun trip.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 6, 2005

I've been particularly impressed by the number of alt-process postcards that have shown up in the last round of the postcard exchange, given that we send these things out as ephemera, subject to the fates of various international postal systems (okay, one participant who made carbon prints sent them in envelopes, because they're just too fragile).

PhotoPete · Nov 6, 2005

I, too, have been inspiried, but I am not sure where to start. Which proccess would be easiest for someone with MF film and a conventional silver darkroom to start out with?

Peter

John_Brewer · Nov 6, 2005

PhotoPete said:
I, too, have been inspiried, but I am not sure where to start. Which proccess would be easiest for someone with MF film and a conventional silver darkroom to start out with?

Peter

Peter, you could try several contact printing processes, cyanotypes being probably the cheapest but the colour doesn't suit all subjects. Carefully chosen MF negs contact printed can look great. Another alternative is bromoil. Check Gene Laughter's gallery (there was a url link here which no longer exists) for inspiration.

J.

Nige · Nov 6, 2005

David A. Goldfarb said:
I've been particularly impressed by the number of alt-process postcards that have shown up in the last round of the postcard exchange, given that we send these things out as ephemera, subject to the fates of various international postal systems (okay, one participant who made carbon prints sent them in envelopes, because they're just too fragile).

I agree. In fact I'm contemptating sending one of my own. Since I've only got 4x5 negs, a postcard is just about the right size!

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 6, 2005

Pete--Lots of people seem to start out with cyanotype or VanDyke brown prints. They aren't too expensive, the chemistry isn't too complicated, and the coating process doesn't seem to be too tricky.

Try it with your MF negs, and once you get the hang of it, you can make enlarged negs on ortho film.

I added a second retractable clothesline to my dark/bathroom today so I'll have more space for drying albumen paper. The albumen's been aging so I'll coat tonight.

nick mulder · Nov 10, 2005

I first found alternativephotography.com which had some great galleries to get a good idea of what can be achieved with the different processes -

but for the real info on how to do it, including the myriad alternate ways alternative processes can be achieved APUG is the winner on all accounts (especially as certain chemicals aren't so easy to obtain in non-bulk amounts in certain parts of the world)

I barely have to post anymore for technical info - its all here already, so APUG is more like a community for me

in the last six months I have done Cyanotypes, Pt/Pd, Gum Bichromate (incl, full color separations) and just recently I added Photopolymer Gravure (solarplate) to the list ...

Having gone from one of the easiest to one (or two) of the 'trickier' processes I fully recommend just jumping right on in there and learning two processes at once

Not that it sounds like your short for it but if your looking for more inspiration also check out the camera building and modification forums (; Its amazing how much money can be saved for expensive chems when you build your own gear (incl. alt process gear)

(;

laz · Nov 10, 2005

philldresser said:
Anyone else inspired by the work posted?
Phill

Every day! I got to APUG via the gallery and I am inspired by countless things I see. Be it a process, an experts work or someone's first attempt at something I am inspired. That last is more important than one generally thinks; I've learned that everyone has to start somewhere and while not perfection, the beauty of the process shines through!

I got my first book on pt/pl printing just a few days ago, I'm hooked!
-Bob

philldresser · Nov 11, 2005

Special thanks

A special thanks to fellow APUG member John Brewer , who true to his word sent me the bottles of chems ready to do battle with the cyanotype process. However he surpassed the original offer and sent me 3 coating rods to help me on my way. Thanks John. A true gent!

Like I have said before "Apug is a great place to be".

Phill

John_Brewer · Nov 11, 2005

The pleasure is really mine. Phill sent me a cracking mounted pic by return post - thanks Phill!

Yup, Apug is a great place to be.

J

scootermm · Nov 14, 2005

philldresser said:
Anyone else inspired by the work posted?

Phill

with out a doubt almost everyday. its amazing.

only reason I even contemplated going down the road Im on was the exposure APUG members afforded me.

wonderful all around.

CarlRadford · Nov 14, 2005

Alt Exchage Phill

its not too late to get your name in - plenty of time for practice between now and mid Dec when prints are asked to arrive by...

Thomassauerwein · Nov 14, 2005

I needed to add my name to the truley gratified. It is really interesting, most the people I hung out with thought of photogrphy as a cash cow. A Job! They never understood the neeeeeed to experiment and go beyond. I always thought this was a pretty solo journey until APUG came along. Amazing how an internet group can work together to inspire and assist faceless souls. I had tinkered in gum and carbro before APUG came along but really never made them a part of my daily thinking. Not only are they there now but PLATNUM is an actualized part of my process. I love this site!! The help and information is worth far more than money and the like minded support is an inspiration to excell. Thanks Sean, Thanks everyone!

roy · Nov 14, 2005

I have to say that whenever I have PM'd members relative to features connected with a gallery submission, I have always received a detailed reply, indicating a willingness to share techniques.

philldresser · Nov 14, 2005

CarlRadford said:
its not too late to get your name in - plenty of time for practice between now and mid Dec when prints are asked to arrive by...

A bit premature I think

htmlguru4242 · Nov 14, 2005

I am amazed and pleased as well by the response and frinedlyness on the forums here. Everyone is helpful, and willing to answer even what may seem to the poster as a dumb question; people don't put others down. I've gotten so many answers that are much more detailed than expected, and advice that's worked out really well. My simple question on Autochromes has turned into 12 pages of responses, and myself (I think along with others) are now working towards "reinventing" this amazing process.

I'm definetely interested in alternative processes (my favorite topic here), and will shortly be ordering chemicals for cyanotype and some silver gelatine plates ans salted paper prints soon.

Thanks APUG!

The Alt Processes, inspiration and APUG

philldresser

John_Brewer

photomc

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

PhotoPete

John_Brewer

Nige

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

nick mulder

laz

philldresser

John_Brewer

scootermm

CarlRadford

Thomassauerwein

roy

philldresser

htmlguru4242

The Alt Processes, inspiration and APUG

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