Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free: AG Photographic The Imaging Warehouse Process Supplies RH Designs Second-hand Darkroom Supplies |
> Which alternative processes are popular in the UK, and why? |
*** Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks *** |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Which alternative processes are popular in the UK, and why?
Several years ago I posed the question, 'is anyone out there doing chrysotypes?' in the hope of finding someone to compare notes with, but it would seem that the answer was probably, no.
So, perhaps, it would be interesting to widen the question and ask which of the various processes are you using and why; is recreating particular bygone technique in itself worthwhile, do you like the resulting print, or is the process determined by the availability of chemicals/kits/equipment? I have enjoyed producing cyanotypes, argyrotypes and a few chrysotypes having spent ages acquiring and learning about the necessary bits. These processes I gravitated to by ease of use and cost in the case of the cyanotype and results (less blue!) with the latter two of which the chrysotype can, I think, give the nicest image. Of the processes that I have considered but rejected; gum bichromates would be great but for having to use dichromates and in the case of platino/palladiotypes, the chemicals are available in the USA but not in the UK. What has influenced your choice? |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Time is my greatest restriction due to work and family. I'm lucky and very pleased if I'm able to do some regular gelatin silver printing.
I've got everything in order to do some liquid emulsion printing and I'm cyanotype curious. Most of all, I'd like to dip my toes but not literally , into first dry plate and then wet plate before trying platinotypes.
__________________
MartyNL “Reaching a creative state of mind thru positive action is considered preferable to waiting for inspiration.” - Minor White, 1950 |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
I've just started on cyanotype in last couple of days.
Ian
__________________
Learn to live, live to learn |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
I've dabbled (again, not literally!) with cyanotypes in the past but plan on doing it a bit more seriously, starting with setting up a more consistent light source than sunshine.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Haven't tried any so far but bromoil at least seems to have enough practitioners to have a website and puts on courses
I may be completely wrong but some of the other alternative processes may count the real/experienced practitioners in double figures only Mike |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I hope to try quite a few once I get a darkroom setup. Not sure why perhaps its similar to the chemistry set I had as a child.
David |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Are making chrysotypes an easy process for beginners?
Quote:
I had never heard of chrysotypes before, but just looking them up, gold seems to be the metal used to produce them. With cost in mind, I was about to give up straight away. But continuing onto other sites, the newer process, the 'Texas chrysotype' was starting to be mentioned, with people saying that it was both cheap and easy to do. And from what I can tell from what I've read, there seems to be only two cheap chemical ingredients required, being citric acid and ammonium ferric oxalate, with the latter seeming to be widely available from a number of UK chemical companies (but only one US seller on ebay). But then, on one or two of the sites it says that gold (although a very small amount, but still some gold) is also required. So now I'm a bit confused. Do I need just the two ingredients I've mentioned above or do I also need (a small amount of) gold as well? And also, just as important, is it an easy process that it is proclaimed to be? I like the look of the prints I've seen on the web, but will be bookmarking some chrysotype sites for now, but hope to return to it in the future, when I've read a bit more about it. So, in the meantime, has anyone else, other than the OP, used this process and if so, what are your thoughts for a total beginner? Terry S |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
I think there a LOT of folks who make Cyanotypes in the UK.
I, just this January, began learning to Salt Print. Both Nik & Trick and Process Supplies have some limited chemistry, but wetplatesupplies.co.uk have an extensive stock. I've been using Bergger COT320 paper, but shall likely look at something a bit cheaper when my last few sheets run out. Not because it is not any good - probably one of the best papers available, just not cheap and for learning a bit too much so really. PL/Pd chemistry is available in the UK - again not cheap though. I'm not at the 'toning' stage for anything yet, but both Moersch and Tetenal make a Gold Toner that is not excessively expensive or you could make up your own I believe. I use 95% digital negatives, in my case, from various format film negatives that have been scanned. I am also beginning to use my 4x5 to make sufficiently dense negatives that are required for Salt Printing - much, much more dense than those required for silver gelatin prints. My two main books are: Salt prints - Peter Mrhar Primitive Photography - Alan Greene The alternativephotography.co.uk website is invaluable as a resource. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.or...ad.php?t=13447 I have also been reading up on the Chrysotype process again, but most importantly a more recent version called the 'Texas Chrysotype', which is supposed to be easier, as it requires less chemical mixes. But, you require just 1gm of 'tetrachlorauric acid', which I believe is also needed in the original process. A quick browse tells me that this will cost £104.00 plus p/p - so it's a VERY expensive process to try, even when not including other items, so I will regretfully give this one a miss, at least for now! Terry S |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I've only just found this site (it was actually mentioned in a post of Photrio.com) and thought I would add my comment. A bit late in the day I know but I work solely in chrysotype after finding the escalating cost of Pd printing becoming too prohibitive. So far I had one print exhibited but am still very much at the experimental stage even after producing a large number of chrysotype prints.
|
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free: AG Photographic The Imaging Warehouse Process Supplies RH Designs Second-hand Darkroom Supplies |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Humidity levels for Alternative processes | paddy | Alternate printing processes | 7 | 25th February 2016 09:56 PM |
Mix Your Own Darkroom Chemicals from Popular Photography September 1981 | yuneeks | Articles | 0 | 12th June 2015 09:07 PM |
PVC to the Rescue from Popular Photography Oct 1981 issue | yuneeks | Articles | 0 | 11th June 2015 10:38 PM |
Chemicals for alternative processes | arcr1 | Alternate printing processes | 10 | 12th June 2013 08:40 AM |
Alternative photographic processes | les dix | Books | 7 | 12th June 2012 05:44 PM |