The Carbon - Platinum Combo!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Vaughn, thank you for the wealth of information, I'll look for the 247 book and keep reading. I know many questions will be answered as I go, I wonder if it's easier to start with B&S tissue. It seems that Formulary has a DEA requirement for select chemicals and B&S doesn't have that stipulation on their web site. I'm going to slowly bring myself up to starter before the workshop and have fun doing it. I have to look at my negatives, a Half Dome on the left while looking at it from the lodge won't do.

Jim, the relief or texture of the print is of great appeal to me and is one characteristic that initially got me interested. Making the tissue is of course going to be the most valuable part of the process, the ability to control the final color, relief and final look is exciting.

The photo that Vaughn posted and one at the base of Bridalveil falls are the images that got me interested in the first place. Once you see them up close and personal it is hard to print any other way.

Curt

Curt, I did exactly what you are doing before I took my workshop with Vaughn a while ago. I think the more one researches the process the better. You have an understanding of the procedures involved and what it takes. Once you actually do the steps everything will fall into place.

As Vaughn has pointed out it is best to start with a tissue that is consistent like the B&S tissue. Check to see if they have the thick tissue if you are looking for relief. I too like the relief and will demonstrate how to pour tissue for relief. I just decided to jump in with both feet and start making my own tissue from the start. We did not pour tissue at the workshop but Vaughn explained it very well and once you do it you will want to do your own. The control I think is one of the key factors that drew me to carbon transfer.

There are a lot of variables that come into play and the need to make notes is a very important factor if one is going to try for any repeatability. Finding negatives that suit your process will fall into place when you make a print that jumps off of the page. My negatives are all over the place and I'll demonstrate how one can get a very nice print with some difficult negatives.

Jim

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Jim,

Do you use digital negatives as part of your workflow or are you working with camera original negatives?

Tom.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Jim,

Do you use digital negatives as part of your workflow or are you working with camera original negatives?

Tom.

Tom, my work flow has always been with in camera negatives. I have an 8x10 that I got some time ago and I built 11x14 and 8x20 cameras. I love to use these negatives for my process. At some point in the future I may try the digital negatives but I'm tuned in to my in camera negatives now.

Jim

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Now that I've begun experimenting with digital negatives, I'm learning that making digital negatives is a project in and of itself.

Tom

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Now that I've begun experimenting with digital negatives, I'm learning that making digital negatives is a project in and of itself.

Tom

Now you know why I built big cameras and am sticking with what I know!

Jim

 

[per volquartz]

Digital negatives

We have an Epson 7800 (perhaps a 7900 by February?) on premises.
We can make a few digital negs for either Platinum or Carbon. Digital negs are a great way to as you lock in your printing exposure, dodge and burn in photoshop and consequently work with "perfect " negatives.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Since I'm printing carbon tonight I thought I would bump this thread for the workshop that Per and I are giving in February. I have some great new negatives that I'm printing and will share with the group in February. If you are at all curious or interested in either of these two great processes come and join us, we would love to have you.

Jim

 

[Curt]

And Jim, If you get wind of a NuArc unit please let me know. I'm looking forward to the workshop, I had a fantastic time with Jim G. and Per at the Tonopah workshop. Per is a great man and Jim was very hospitable opening up his house for us. BTW, Green or Blue?

Have fun printing,
Curt

 

[mike c]

Per,do you still have me down for the class?

Mike

 

[Curt]

Per,do you still have me down for the class?

Mike

Mike, I'm looking forward to seeing you there, we're going to learn a lot, I'm starting the carbon process as soon as I get my order from B&S.

Curt

 

[mike c]

Hi Curt,I.v orderd a book on the subject that was suggested by Don I think.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Curt, green! I'll keep my eye out for a NuArc for you. I'll see what I can do. Curt and Mike and anyone else interested in the carbon portion of this class or Per's platinum for that matter. I think it is worthwhile to do as much research about the process that interests you so you can get the most benefit from the class. Read what is available online and visit the carbon forums. I regularly re-read posts on the forums to make sure my thought process is correct. The hands on stuff will be loads of fun! Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Jim

 

[Curt]

Curt, green! I'll keep my eye out for a NuArc for you. I'll see what I can do. Curt and Mike and anyone else interested in the carbon portion of this class or Per's platinum for that matter. I think it is worthwhile to do as much research about the process that interests you so you can get the most benefit from the class. Read what is available online and visit the carbon forums. I regularly re-read posts on the forums to make sure my thought process is correct. The hands on stuff will be loads of fun! Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Jim

Hi Jim, I bought a NuArc 26 1K unit with a stand, 250 pounds and it's presently at the Fontana UPS freight depot waiting for a ride to Seattle and perhaps up North on Monday it will be at my house. They estimated 100 pounds shipping but the stand and box of printing plates and "extras", it was used at a printing house, added to the shipping weight. I had a set rated so I didn't have to pay the extra. Anyway I don't need one now but I appreciate your willingness to help me locate one. I searched for some time and then as luck would have it I scored. They seem to be in demand these days.

Curt

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Hi Jim, I bought a NuArc 26 1K unit with a stand, 250 pounds and it's presently at the Fontana UPS freight depot waiting for a ride to Seattle and perhaps up North on Monday it will be at my house. They estimated 100 pounds shipping but the stand and box of printing plates and "extras", it was used at a printing house, added to the shipping weight. I had a set rated so I didn't have to pay the extra. Anyway I don't need one now but I appreciate your willingness to help me locate one. I searched for some time and then as luck would have it I scored. They seem to be in demand these days.

Curt

Curt, this is awesome! I love my unit and having the stand is a real plus. Once you get it and get some things going you will start to get things figured out.
I can't wait to share my carbon experience with everyone. I look forward to meeting everyone. Any questions you have when you get things set up don't hesitate to ask me.

Jim

 

[mike c]

Hi Curt,I,m pretty close to Fontana,I could go get it and keep it at my house till the workshop a give it to you then,what do you say old buddy.

 

[Curt]

Hi Mike, thanks a lot but it's on its way North now and will be in my area sometime tomorrow and at my house by Saturday or probably Monday or Tuesday depending on how the freight flows. I've got my fingers crossed that it will arrive intact, I'm pretty excited about it all. I was wondering what you are going to use for an exposure light. When it came to crunch time I just couldn't add making a tube unit to my chores and the bulb I was going to get was discontinued so I took the hint and kept searching for a NuArc. I've got to work on the process and study up on Platinum as well. A few months seem like a lot of time but it goes fast as I saw before Tonopah.

Jim I did order and received some tissue from B&S and they included an instruction sheet similar to Vaughn's outline. I have the material for the glop but will use the B&S tissue to get started and eliminate some variables then switch to my own tissue. I'll use some old negatives and will order some of the Crystal ???? material for the good ones. It looks like the Crystal material and some Ruby type lith or tape is all I need to get. I was wondering if you were up in Yosemite but the weather is brutal there now I suspect, Moab is -8 right now!

See you both later,
Curt

 

[mike c]

Curt,I was just gonna go to the class cold turkey and check it all out,I did get a book by Dick Arentz about Platinum& Palladium but haven't been able to read to much.Still working on Tonopah stuff. Good luck on your sky light (nu-ark),also if it burns carbine rods be careful of the fumes,I think they are harmful.

 

[Don12x20]

Curt
Here in Portland, the crystal clear bags are sold by www.documounts.com
Don

 

[Curt]

Curt
Here in Portland, the crystal clear bags are sold by www.documounts.com
Don

Thank you Don, I appreciate the information.

Curt

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Curt, never got a chance to head to Yosemite. Too many work commitments. Definitely in January though. You can use black electricians tape also but the rubylith is nice to have. Clear bags .com has the negative sleeves also.

Mike, not to worry about not being prepared. We will hope to inspire and unlock creativity along with making the processes understandable.

Jim

 

[mike c]

Ok that what I was hoping for,have a Merry Christmas if we don't post before then.

 

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Ok that what I was hoping for,have a Merry Christmas if we don't post before then.

Will do! The best to you and your family.


Jim

 

[per volquartz]

ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT IN THIS WORKSHOP!!!

If you are interested in participating in this combo workshop you must contact us right away. When it is is full it is full. No extra spaces!



Per Volquartz


volquartz (at) volquartz.com

Dead Link Removed

 

[per volquartz]

NOW ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!

...

 

[Curt]

That's fantastic news Per, I have been looking forward to this since before Tonopah, I have my travel arrangements and accommodations made and all I have to do is pack and go.

Curt