View Full Version : my first FB prints
darkclassical
12th November 2009, 06:05 AM
Last week was my first time printing with fibre. Wow. I'm hooked on the texture, depth and crazy drying voodoo. Not the cost, though ;-)
It was a funny experience because after opening the box, I stood there for a while next to the enlarger wondering which side the emulsion was on! I finally made a guess; then, just when I thought I was wrong, an image slowly - very slowly started to appear!
Now I understand appeal of FB.
Bruce
Dave miller
12th November 2009, 06:11 AM
Good for you Bruce, I suspect that you have just started on the next stage of the journey. :)
darkclassical
12th November 2009, 06:21 AM
:) Thank you Dave! I should also thank the posts from many people here on FADU that helped prepare me somewhat for the drying process! I see FB paper as a life form now. A complex one!
Trevor Crone
12th November 2009, 07:07 AM
A 'life form' indeed, great stuff Bruce. Fibre paper can be trying at times but I think it is worth all the effort in the long run.
Phil
12th November 2009, 08:04 AM
Hi Bruce - I can honestly say, that for all the effort, all the time, all the washing and all the learning, there is nothing to beat a good fibre print - it's just a shame the likes of Forte aren't around anymore - the sheer quality of a good print on Polywarmtone was just incredible.
P
Richard Gould
12th November 2009, 08:39 AM
Hi Bruce, I once printedon r.c. paper and might still be doing so if a supplier hadnot sent me a box of f.b. paper by mistake, and said it was'nt worth their hassle in returning it so let me keep the 50 shee3ts, I tried it and wow, I was hooked, tried rc since, but nothing beats a good fb print, Richard
B&W Neil
12th November 2009, 09:26 AM
Well done Bruce, you have opened the door to another area of fine print making.
Long may you enjoy the delights and pleasures FB papers can bring :-)
Neil.
photomi7ch
12th November 2009, 10:29 AM
I agree a new life form especialy with the getting it to dry flat when I first started using it.
Some times I forget which is emulsion side up so I wet my lips put a corner in my mouth and the side that sticks is emulsion side. Dont forget to wipe your lips afterwards makes the beer taste funny:)
Bob
12th November 2009, 11:05 AM
In general, fibre paper tends to curl with the emulsion outside the curl (it curls *up* at the edges with the emulsion uppermost) - I'm sure people will now list a huge number of papers that don't do that! ;) - but that is my general experience.
Glossy paper's smooth emulsion side can be seen by angling the paper up to the light from the safelight.
I am still undecided about the quality of fibre Vs resin-coated when mounted behind glass but there is no doubt that I prefer the tactile feel of "real" paper and if it is not being mounted behind glass then there is no contest in my mind.
Phil
12th November 2009, 11:37 AM
You can hear which side is which - generally, the back of the paper makes a wish-wish sound when rubbed with the edge of a finger, the emulsion side doesn't. Er I think I've just described a form of perversion :o
Dave miller
12th November 2009, 12:13 PM
In general, fibre paper tends to curl with the emulsion outside the curl (it curls *up* at the edges with the emulsion uppermost) - I'm sure people will now list a huge number of papers that don't do that! ;) - but that is my general experience.
Glossy paper's smooth emulsion side can be seen by angling the paper up to the light from the safelight.
I am still undecided about the quality of fibre Vs resin-coated when mounted behind glass but there is no doubt that I prefer the tactile feel of "real" paper and if it is not being mounted behind glass then there is no contest in my mind.
In another time far, far away, I was once castigated for suggesting that once a photograph is mounted behind glass it’s impossible to tell the difference between resin coated and fibre paper as far as print quality is concerned, so I'm happy to see Bob concur.:) Having said that, I must add that I do prefer to work with fibre papers.
Mike O'Pray
12th November 2009, 05:36 PM
Generally there are 2 cost drawbacks with FB which are interrelated giving a doube-whammy. 1. It is more expensive anyway than RC and there is very little for sale on e-bay as secondhand. Most stuff is RC being sold by students finishing courses where the stock in trade is RC. Only very occasionally is there an experienced darkroom person selling FB because he/she is just giving up/ retiring from the hobby
There are FB powersellers there but I'd not bother as most charge a lot more than the better internet sellers a few of whom we have here on FADU.
Glad you have enjoyed the experience of FB.
Mike
darkclassical
12th November 2009, 09:33 PM
You can hear which side is which - generally, the back of the paper makes a wish-wish sound when rubbed with the edge of a finger, the emulsion side doesn't. Er I think I've just described a form of perversion :o
:) I'm really enjoying everyone's comments on this! If the darkroom alone isn't enough to bring out the eccentricities in us, the stories of using FB paper further thicken the plot!
Bruce
Phil
13th November 2009, 12:01 PM
Well you've got to amuse yourself somehow :D
The best darkroom story I ever heard was when at college; they used to have these really massive sinks . . loads of free hot water.
My lecturer usually knocked and got the ok before entering any of the darkrooms. Anyway, one day he forgot, entered and found a fourth year student in the sink with his girlfriend lathering his back :shock: . . you couldn't make it up!
Phil
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.