Website full of Darkroom Movies

[Bob Carnie]

Hi All

I have struggled with Social Media and websites for years, I have noticed hundreds of printing sites talking about Masterful Printmaking, but what always seemed missing
was any real info about who , and how prints and images were being done.

Well I have over the last years put together mainly on a Sunday with my good friend Phil and his son Jimmy a series of basic- and I mean basic videos on how I work.

All information is MY OPINION ONLY and there may be many flaws in what I say.

I am open to hearing your thoughts of my new additions to my website.

The first videos are in the Service section of the site at www.bobcarnieprintmaking.ca

Be gentle.
Also be aware there are some references to digital on some of these movies so please do not click on them if you find this offensive.


Bob

 

[ic-racer]

Thanks for posting and sharing your technique.

 

[frank]

Thank you Bob!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thank you

 

[AgX]

I would never have looked for them at "Lab Services" (and just glancing over your posting I thus could not find them...)

Putting them at "Workshops" would be more logical.

 

[Marco Buonocore]

Great videos Bob, I watched them all. Do you ever do deep tank / rack processing of sheet film? That's something I'd like to see a video of, as I never get the agitation right. Much like the example of your agitation method for roll film in the stainless tanks, I think it's best to actually see it demonstrated rather than read about it.

By the way, I'd hate to be in the darkroom with you processing the stainless reels in the deep tank - sounded like a bloody shotgun going off!

 

[Ektagraphic]

Excellent! Thank you very much for sharing! It's a nice resource

 

[RobC]

Interesting films.

I have a couple of questions.

In one of the films you say you wash prints back to back and say you will explain why but you didn't, so why?

And secondly

When/why do you use hot mount instead of cold mount and vica versa?

 

[Saganich]

LOL I was frightened as well. Woke the kids up.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

This is great. I like Canada hat. I like Omega enlarger on the right on first video, because it is the same one as I have for now.
Now I know where and how to use filters with it.
The info is very useful, I'm still learning.

 

[Bill Burk]

Bob,

This is an incredible series! Thanks

 

[Bob Carnie]

Yes - not sure where that one went, but as time goes on I will keep on making these things as I feel I have just scratched the surface.

Great videos Bob, I watched them all. Do you ever do deep tank / rack processing of sheet film? That's something I'd like to see a video of, as I never get the agitation right. Much like the example of your agitation method for roll film in the stainless tanks, I think it's best to actually see it demonstrated rather than read about it.

By the way, I'd hate to be in the darkroom with you processing the stainless reels in the deep tank - sounded like a bloody shotgun going off!

 

[Bob Carnie]

You know us Canadians are not very logical eh.

I would never have looked for them at "Lab Services" (and just glancing over your posting I thus could not find them...)

Putting them at "Workshops" would be more logical.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi Rob

I wash prints back to back to make sure emulsion does not stick to back of another print , they will not stick to the sides of the washer for
some reason and I believe I get a better wash. But I do hypo clear one on top as I want to make sure that I get hypo clear to the back of the print fibres
as I believe fixer can root itself there just as easy as the emulsion.

Cold vs Hot

First off I prefer hot mount due to the fact I am a bit old school and I learned to mount prints my first or second assignment at Fanshawe College.

Reasons for hot.

1- fibre prints require this type of treatment and will not work with cold
2. precision mounting - I feel its much easier to precision mount a photograph within a design than cold
3. much more satisfying work flow
4. for reversible mounting to aluminum its the only way I am comfortable with( I would love to hear other comments on this)
5. Total control and less chance of mistakes.
6. RA 4 prints mount well this way but I do not like super gloss on hot

Things I will not mount.

gator board, masonite, chip board, regular board non archival-- I use to own a commercial lab that did this and at 62 swore I never would again.


Things that will not mount hot - (or at least well)

plastics- ciba on melimex- super high gloss prints- really deep surface inkjets(ink transfers to board) , charcol and most paintings ( I only work with photographs)


Reasons for Cold Mounting

1. All plastic based products
2. Speed of use - we can train most people and can be very productive and profitable.
3. All high gloss materials
4. Face mount to plexi
5. Finicky mounting to diabond or aluminum
6. Ink jet materials really mount well.
7. RA 4 products mount really well, and would be my go to method for super gloss.
8. Fuji Flex and Diabond with Drytac super adhesive is the only way by cold.
9. Very profitable in a commercial setup.

Hope this helps
Bob

Interesting films.

I have a couple of questions.

In one of the films you say you wash prints back to back and say you will explain why but you didn't, so why?

And secondly

When/why do you use hot mount instead of cold mount and vica versa?

 

[RobC]

thanks for that info Bob. I have had my eye on a hotpress Jetmounter (coldpress laminator) for a while thiinking it would make life easy for mounting FB prints. I had a demo of it in use at a trade show a while back and it looks so simple to use (by an expert no doubt).
Its light too so can stored on end out of the way when not in use, unlike the their hotpresses which are big and heavy.

Now you've got me worried it won't be any good for FB. Why? If print is flat before mounting where's the catch?

http://www.hotpress.co.uk/PDFs/HotPressCatalogue2010_jetmounters.pdf

 

[Stephen Prunier]

Bob

Thanks :wizard:

 

[Bob Carnie]

I went to the link... the biggest one is the unit I have and it definately will NOT work for FB prints.- no catch it just won't work and you will waste your money... fantastic for all other types of prints

When they talk about hot rollers do not be fooled , that only helps smooth out the process.


QUOTE=RobC;1953787485]thanks for that info Bob. I have had my eye on a hotpress Jetmounter (coldpress laminator) for a while thiinking it would make life easy for mounting FB prints. I had a demo of it in use at a trade show a while back and it looks so simple to use (by an expert no doubt).
Its light too so can stored on end out of the way when not in use, unlike the their hotpresses which are big and heavy.

Now you've got me worried it won't be any good for FB. Why? If print is flat before mounting where's the catch?

http://www.hotpress.co.uk/PDFs/HotPressCatalogue2010_jetmounters.pdf[/QUOTE]

 

[RobC]

well thats taken the wind out of my sails

mind you I wasn't planning on getting a beast like the one you have, much smaller. I will consult with them. Their hot presses are very big, very heavy and very expensive.

 

[removed account4]

wow, great stuff bob !

 

[canuhead]

I don't recognise the developer in the green can in your first video Bob Is it imported stuff or local ?

 

[DWThomas]

Cool stuff! It's nice to meet you visually!

 

[RobC]

Cool stuff! It's nice to meet you visually!

I thought I was on the set of One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest for a moment

 

[Bob Carnie]

Yes thanks for that , I have always been mistaken for Jack

 

[RobC]

Yes thanks for that , I have always been mistaken for Jack

Me too. I was on holiday skiing in Zermatt and there was a buzz going round the resort that Jack was in town. It was me