What's your favourite alt process?

[Ian Leake]

I'm wondering how many alt process printers are hiding their prints under a bushel... So all you alt process printers, it's time to stand up and be counted: what's your favourite alt process and why?

[Dave]

I’m a closet alternative processor that simply hasn’t done enough. :( I intend doing more Cyanotype and Bromoil, both of which I’ve found to be very enjoyable, but have yet to do sufficient to even start to become proficient. Vandyke Brown’s beckon as well, as does platinum.

I brought a 10x8 specifically to produce large negatives for alternative contact processes, so much get it out into the countryside and start snapping.

[Barry]

Ian,

I have 'dabbled' over the years with a number of alt processes. The one's I found most satisfying were Salt, Kallitype and Pt/Pl. These give tones that appeal to me. I would really like to do more.

I read elsewhere with interest about your Pt/Pl process, I have yet to try it but have recently tried the NA2 method which seems a nice process.

[Ian Leake]

I love platinum and I'm also planning to do some carbon prints soon. Bromoils have always fascinated me, but I've never seen an original.

I have to admit that the article I wrote on APUG is a bit long in the tooth now. I should probably update it and post it here.

[Barry]

I love platinum and I'm also planning to do some carbon prints soon. Bromoils have always fascinated me, but I've never seen an original.

I have to admit that the article I wrote on APUG is a bit long in the tooth now. I should probably update it and post it here.

Please do Ian.

I have never seen, but would like to see a carbon print 'in the flesh'.

[Akki14]

I hide because I constantly think I can do better. Even when I do upload anything to my flickr account it's under the warning that it's merely a Proof and I rarely get around to printing actually final type prints.
I print cyanotype mostly exclusively these days. Occasional B&W a few times a year (at home, own darkroom) and sending off lots of colour film for dev & prints.

I've done Van Dyke Brown before but got told those prints would look better in "my" cyanotype so I don't bother with it any more.

[Keith Tapscott.]

I have been meaning to try some alternative processes for a long time and I even bought an old 8x10 monorail camera with alternative processes in mind. May be I will attend a workshop if there are any being held in the UK.

[Dave]

I love platinum and I'm also planning to do some carbon prints soon. Bromoils have always fascinated me, but I've never seen an original.

I have to admit that the article I wrote on APUG is a bit long in the tooth now. I should probably update it and post it here.

Please do, I'm sure that there will be lots of interest.

[Trevor Crone]

Platinum and Palladium, thanks to Ian's workshop :). One of the reasons I bought an 8"x10" camera. They are capable of producing a long tonal range which seem to have a wonderful 'glow'.

I haven't seen a carbon print for years but they can be quite beautiful.

Salt prints are beautiful also, especially the work of Ken Keen.

[Keith Tapscott.]

Platinum and Palladium, thanks to (Ian's) workshop :). One of the reasons I bought an 8"x10" camera. They are capable of producing a long tonal range which seem to have a wonderful 'glow'.
Thanks for the tip about workshops.:D

[A Sanderson]

I have been meaning to try some alternative processes for a long time and I even bought an old 8x10 monorail camera with alternative processes in mind. May be I will attend a workshop if there are any being held in the UK.

I can offer Gum printing, Cyanotype and Paper negative if you are interested?

[wiesmier]

I do cyanotypes - a lot. Preferably toned with some type of tea. And Vandykes too - -especially those dunked in Viradon. Plus a little Lith if that's Alt these days!

[Ian David]

I have suddenly become interested in alternative processes, for some reason :confused:

I recently bought "The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes" (Christopher James, 2nd ed) and am enjoying wading through the wealth of interesting info in there (600 pages!) about every almost process I have ever heard of. Now to decide which ones to play with first...

[Andrew Bartram]

Picked up a copy of Spirit of the Salts when in Silverprint last year. Have now added some glass to my wooden printing frame and gathering the rest of the stuff to make some salt prints - from 6X6 negs to begin with. Bit small I know but have to start somewhere.

Andrew

[Tom Kershaw]

I'm just getting into carbon transfer printer. So far I have made one carbon tissue, no exposure yet. I need to get practiced at glop manufacture and pouring technique.

Tom

[Keith Tapscott.]

I will be trying my hand at making some salt-prints in March. Any image uploads here will depend on how successful they are. ;)

[Jack Lusted]

I had a go at gum printing in the past, but not with much success it has to be said. However, I've just been giving salt printing a go and it really seems to be promising.

Jack

[DavidC]

I'm wondering how many alt process printers are hiding their prints under a bushel... So all you alt process printers, it's time to stand up and be counted: what's your favourite alt process and why?

Has to be platinum/palladium, having tried a good number of alternative processes over the years including cyanotype, kalitype, salt, photogravure and wet plate. I find that platinum printing process provides a range of mid to highlight tones that no other process can replicate. When done well their is nothing finer to my eyes than a platinum print, they are simply beautiful.

[cliveh]

I think you can't beat a salt print if you want something that is not only intrinsic of the lead up to the first practical photographic process, coupled with such simplistic halogen chemistry.

[John Edwards]

Salt printing - its a lovely time consuming processes. It took a couple of years to iron out a few of the frustrating problems and now, at last, I can say I can produce prints with reasonable consistency...just don't do enough of it. Also started to teach myself platinum and palladium but the UV device I have (a Philips facial solarium purchased from Argos a few years back) just doesn't work at all well with the process so everything is on hold until I can build another one.

[Ian Leake]

Also started to teach myself platinum and palladium but the UV device I have (a Philips facial solarium purchased from Argos a few years back) just doesn't work at all well with the process so everything is on hold until I can build another one.

It's relatively simple to build a useable UV lightbox. Once you've got the parts collected it takes only a few hours to put one together. I've recently finished my second which incorporates a vacuum frame for big prints.

[Jon Butler]

The silver print is my favourite alternative process as the digital print is by far the norm used today.
JON.