SALT PRINTING MANUAL

SALT

&

ALBUMEN

P HOTOGRAPHIC P RINT P ROCESS ES

BY

E LLIE Y OUNG

THE SALT PRINTING MANUAL

A G UIDE TO S ALT AND A LBUMEN P HOTOGRAPHIC P RINT P ROCESSES

g ol d s t re e t st u d io s 7 0 0 J a me s L a n e V i c t o ria 3 4 5 8 A u s t ra l ia P hon e 6 1 3 5 4 2 4 1 8 3 5 Fa x 6 0 3 5 4 2 4 1 8 3 5 w w w. g o l ds t ree t s t ud ios . co m .a u

The author and publisher of this manual deny any liability for any consequent injury, sickness, damages or loss from using the information contained within this text

CONTENTS

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S ................................................................ .............. V I N T R O D U C T I O N ................................................................ ..................... V I 1. 2. T HE O RI GIN S ............................................................................. 1 P HO T OGR A P HI C PR OC E S S ES ........................................................ 4 A L T E R N A T I V E P H O T O G R A P H I C P R O C E S S E S ................................ ...................... 4 P H O T O G R A P H I C P R I N T P R O C E S S E S . ................................ .............................. 4 M A T T E R S U N I Q U E T O S A L T P R I N T I N G ................................ ........................... 6 3. PR E PA RIN G FO R SA L T P RIN TIN G .................................................. 8 T H E W O R K I N G S P A C E : ................................................................ ............. 8 E Q U I P M E N T : ................................................................ ......................... 8 T O O L S A N D M A T E R I A L S ................................................................ ............ 9 C H E M I C A L S ................................................................ ........................ 10 O V E R V I E W O F T H E S A L T P R I N T I N G S T E P S ................................ ..................... 11 4. T HE S A LT A N D S I LV ER F ORM UL A S ............................................... 13 S o dium Ch lo ri de F o r m ul a. .............................................................. 13 Am m o n ium Ch lo ri de Fo r mula. ................................ ......................... 13 V A R I A T I O N S T O S A L T F O R M U L A S ............................................................... A D D I T I V E S T O S A L T F O R M U L A S ................................................................ . S O D I U M C I T R A T E ................................................................ ................. S o dium o r Am m o ni um C hlo ride + S odi um Ci tr ate .............................. 14 15 15 16

P O T A S S I U M D I C H R O M A T E ................................................................ ....... 16 Po ta ss ium D ic h ro m at e 5 % S o lut ion ................................ ................. 17 S o dium o r Am m o ni um C h lo ride + Pot as s ium Dic hrom ate ................... 17 B I N D E R S ................................ ................................ ............................ 17 G E L A T I N B I N D E R ................................................................ .................. 18 S o dium o r am m o nium c h lor ide so lut ion + ge lat in ............................. 18 A R R O W R O O T B I N D E R ................................................................ ............ 19 Ar ro w ro o t fo rm u la ................................................................ ........ 19 A L B U M E N B I N D E R ................................................................ ................ 20 Albu m en fo rm u la ................................................................ ........... 21 S I L V E R N I T R A T E S E N S I T I S E R ................................................................ ..... 22 S ilv er N it ra te S en s iti s in g Fo rmu la ................................ ................... 23 S ilv er N it ra te Fo rm u la w ith Ci t ric Ac id ................................ ............ 25 5. T HE P A P ER ............................................................................... 26 P A P E R M A N U F A C T U R I N G ................................................................ ........ A D D I T I V E S T O P A P E R ................................................................ ............. S U R F A C E F I N I S H I N G ................................................................ .............. W E I G H T A N D D E N S I T Y ................................................................ ........... 26 27 28 28

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C A R E O F P A P E R ................................................................ ................... P A P E R S F O R S A L T P R I N T I N G : ................................................................ .... A D D I N G S I Z I N G T O P A P E R ................................................................ ....... Ge lati n S iz ing ................................................................ ...............

29 29 32 32

H A R D E N I N G T H E G E L A T I N S I Z I N G : ............................................................. 33 Gl yo xal Ha rden ing Fo rm ula ............................................................ 34 6. CO A TIN G TH E P A P ER ................................................................. 35 P R E P A R I N G T H E P A P E R ................................................................ ........... C O A T I N G L I G H T W E I G H T P A P E R S A N D F A B R I C : ................................ ............... S A L T C O A T I N G ................................................................ .................... A L B U M E N C O A T I N G ................................................................ .............. S E N S I T I S I N G T H E P A P E R ................................................................ ......... S E N S I T I S I N G A L B U M E N P A P E R ................................................................ .. S E N S I T I S I N G A R R O W R O O T P A P E R .............................................................. 7. 36 36 37 39 40 41 42

P HO T OGR AM S AN D T H E N E GA T IV E .............................................. 43 P H O T O G R A M S ................................................................ ..................... T H E S A L T P R I N T N E G A T I V E ................................................................ ...... T Y P E S O F N E G A T I V E S : ................................................................ ............ A N A L O G U E C O N T I N U O U S T O N E F I L M N E G A T I V E S ................................ ........... PM K D eve lo pe r ................................................................ .............. 43 44 45 45 46

I N C R E A S I N G T H E T O N A L R A N G E P O S T D E V E L O P M E N T ................................ ....... 48 E N L A R G I N G N E G A T I V E S I N T H E D A R K R O O M ................................ ................... 48 D I G I T A L N E G A T I V E S ................................................................ .............. 49 8. EX P OS IN G T H E PR IN T ................................................................ 53 E X P O S U R E T I M E S ................................................................ .................. R E C I P R O C I T Y F A I L U R E ................................................................ ............ S E L F M A S K I N G ................................................................ .................... B R O N Z I N G ................................ ......................................................... 9. 55 55 56 56

PR OC E S S IN G TH E P RIN T ............................................................. 59 P R E - W A S H ................................ ......................................................... 60 T O N I N G ................................ ............................................................ 61 Go l d B o rax To ne r ................................................................ .......... 62 S o dium Ac et ate Go ld To ner . .......................................................... 62 Th io c ya nate Go ld To n e r 1. .............................................................. 63 Th io c ya nate Go ld To n e r 2 ............................................................... 63 Pall adi um To ne r ................................................................ ............ 65 T H E F I X E R ................................ .......................................................... 67 Fi xe r ................................ ............................................................ 68 Ko dak F ixe r Te st S o lu tio n F T 1 ......................................................... 69 W A S H I N G T H E P R I N T ................................................................ ............. 70

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T H E C L E A R I N G A G E N T ................................................................ ............ 70 Cle a ring Age nt ................................................................ .............. 70 T H E F I N A L W A S H ................................................................ ................. 71 Ko dak Hy po Te st S o lut io n H T1a ................................ ....................... 72 Ko dak hyp o te st ht -2 ................................................................ ..... 73 D R Y I N G ................................ ............................................................. 74 10 . ST OR A G E AN D F RA M IN G ............................................................ 75

S T O R A G E ................................ ................................ ........................... 75 F R A M I N G ................................ ................................ ........................... 76 11 . PR OB L EM S ............................................................................... 79

GL OS S AR Y ........................................................................................ 82 A PP EN D IX 1 C H E M I CA L S ..................................................................... 86 S A F E T Y N O T E S ................................................................ ..................... M E A S U R I N G O U T C H E M I C A L S : ................................................................ .. C O N V E R S I O N S O F M E A S U R E M E N T S ............................................................. C H E M I C A L S U S E D I N T H I S M A N U A L ................................ ............................ 86 87 87 88

A PP EN D IX 2 M A T ERI A L SU P PL I ER S ....................................................... 96 C H E M I C A L S A N D A L T E R N A T I V E P R O C E S S K I T S ................................ ................ E X P O S U R E F R A M E S : ................................................................ .............. S H E E T F I L M : ................................................................ ....................... G L A S S R O D C H E M I C A L S P R E A D E R S : ................................ ............................ P A P E R S U P P L I E R S : ................................................................ ................ S T E P W E D G E S ................................................................ ..................... 96 96 96 96 96 97

B IB L IO GR A P HY ................................................................................. 98

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A C K N OW L ED G EM E NT S

M a n y peo p le ha v e c on t ri b u t e d t o t his m a n ua l in va r io u s wa ys . I wo u l d li ke to m y exp res s g ra ti t u de to M ic h a el a n d Ba r ba ra Gr ey fo r t he in i tia l i n t r od u c t ion to sa l t p rin t in g in 1 9 9 9 . Als o wi s h t o t ha n k a n d a c kn o wl e dge A sso cia t e P r ofe ss o r Ga le Sp r in g , P r og ra m L e a de r S cie n t if i c P ho to g ra p h y RM IT , fo r h is a ssi st a n c e a n d t i re l ess s u pp o r t. I a m gra t ef u l t o Ala n E ll io t t fo r hi s gen e ro u s a n d en t h us ia s t ic a ss is ta n ce a t s o ma n y l e vel s . D r M ic ha el W a r e , w h ose a ssi s ta n c e a s a n on g oin g in va l ua bl e con s ul ta n t wa s t r ul y a p p re cia t ed . I a l s o a m d ee pl y g ra tef ul to P hi li p F ra n ce s o f t he RM IT P h ys i cs De pa r t men t , J a me s R e ill y , T ris h a n d Wa r ren Si mp son o f Si m ps on G ra p h i cs , P h re d Pe te r son Sen i o r L e c t u re r Ap p lie d Sc ie n ce P ho t og ra p h y R M I T a n d L u t he r H u be r o f B on d I ma gi n g fo r t he g en e r o us sp on s o rs hi p o f t h e D u ra clea r (K o da k ) Ne ga ti ves . D a n i elle Ed wa r ds t he ma n ua l p h o to g ra p h e r. T ha n ks t o A n t h on y M o u rn a in of P ho t o Fo r m ula r y , S u za n n e G reg o r y a n d Ro be r t L ove fo r t hei r a ssi s t a n ce wi t h t h is ma n u a l . I a m in de b te d t o a ll t he s t u den ts wh o ha v e a t ten de d m y wo r k s h op s; t h ei r q ue r ies h el pe d e x ten d m y kn o wl ed ge of t he p ro ce ss . A la n , m y so ul - ma te a n d li fe t i me pa r tn e r , t ha n ks fo r t he en d less s u p p o r t a n d j us t be in g t he r e.

I N TR O D U C TI O N

T he sa l t p rin t i s t h e f o un da ti on of p ho t og ra p h y. M y in t e res t in t h is p r o ces s wa s in i tia t ed b y a sa l t p rin t in g wo r k s h op in M el bo u rn e, A us t ra l i a , r u n b y M i c ha e l G r ey , t h en c u ra t o r of t he Fox Ta l bo t M us e u m in L a c oc k , En g la n d. Wi ll ia m H en r y Fox Ta l bo t , kn o wn a s t h e fa t he r o f p h o to g ra p h y , di sc o ve re d t he sa l t p r in t p r o cess i n 1 8 3 4 . T he h is t o r y o f Ta l b o t is q ui te re ma r ka b le . Hi s ea rl y d is co ve r ies we r e t he f o un da ti on o f n u me r o us p ho t og ra p hi c a n d p r in t p r oc esses , ma n y s ti ll p ra c tis ed t oda y . Sa l t p r in tin g is a h a n d - c oa te d t wo -s te p pr o ces s . F i rs t , t h e sa l t so l u ti on is a p pl ie d t o t h e pa pe r a n d a l lo we d t o d r y . N ex t is t h e sen s i ti sin g st ep , a sil ve r n i t ra t e sol u t ion , is a p pl ie d to t he pa pe r t o f o r m li gh t s en s it iv e si lve r c hl o ri de . Ex po s u re t o lig h t c ha n g es t he si lve r c hl o ri de to t he i ma ge ma k in g me ta l li c sil ve r . T hi s sa me p r oc ess o c c u rs in a l b u men p rin t in g . A l b u men ha d a n en o r m o us i m pa c t on p h o to g ra p h y b ec o m in g t he me d i u m o f c h oi ce d u ri n g t he la s t ha lf o f t he 1 9 t h c en t u r y. Wh il e of ten t rea t ed a s a di ffe r en t p r oc e ss , a n a l b u m en p r in t is essen t ia l ly a sa l te d pa pe r p r in t usin g t h e a lb u m en a s a b in d er . D ue t o t he in he ren t ma sk in g a bi li t y n o ot h e r p h o to g ra p hi c p rin t p ro ce ss ca n c r ea t e t he t on a l ra n ge o f t h e sa l t p rin t . T he c ha l len ge is to c rea te n e ga ti ves t ha t re a c h t his e xt r a o r din a r y ra n ge . T he sa l t p ri n t a l so o ffe r s fl exi b il it y in co n tr ol lin g t h e co lo u r , ton e s a n d h ue s. Ex ce p t wh e re s ta t e d, a ll t he me t h o ds , fo r m u la s a n d p r o ce d u res ha v e been te s te d b y t he a u t h o r. U l t i ma te l y t h e in t en ti on of t h is ma n ua l is to p ro vi de a re so u r ce t ha t wi ll e n co u ra ge f u r t h er exp lo ra t ion of sa l t p rin t in g .

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C HAPTER 1
1. T H E O RIG I NS

S i nc e A r is to tl e 1 (3 8 4 -3 2 2 B C) t he re is e v i de n ce t h a t me n a n d w o me n h a v e be e n e x p lo r i ng t he re l a t io ns h i p be tw ee n l ig h t a n d c he m i c a ls . Re m a r k a b l y i t to o k u n t i l 1 8 3 4 b e fo r e W i l l i a m He nr y Fo x T a l bo t d is co v e r e d t he pro c es s o f pe r m a ne n t ch e m i c a l ly p ro d uc e d i m ag es cr e at e d b y l ig h t . H is s a l te d - p a pe r p ri n ts w ere t he f irs t p ho to g r a p h i c p ro ces s t h a t cr e at e d a po s i t i ve i m ag e fro m a n eg a t i ve . T a l bo t s p ho to g e n i c dr aw i ngs a n d h is co n t i nu a l d is co ve r ies had a p ro fo u n d effect on both p ho to g r a p hy a n d t h e d e ve lo p me n t o f pr i n t m a k in g. Wil lia m Hen r y F ox Ta l bo t ( 1 8 0 0 - 1 8 7 0) ca me f ro m a p ri vi le ged ba c kg r o un d . He wa s wel l e d u ca te d , wi t h a b r il lia n t m in d a n d c u ri o us a b o u t t he wo rl d a r o un d hi m . F o r t un a te ly f o r t he hi s to r ia n s a n d p h o to g ra p hi c resea r c h er s Ta l b ot do c u m e n te d m os t o f h is ex pe r i m en t s. 2 In I ta ly 1 8 3 3 , Ta l b ot wa s on h ol ida y wi t h hi s n e w wif e a n d fa mi ly m e m be rs . H e be ca me f r us t ra te d wi t h h is in a b il i t y to ske t c h on pa pe r 3. E v en wi t h t he a i d o f h is d ra win g in s t r u m e n t , a ca m e ra l u ci da , he c o ul d n o t ca p t u re t he b ea u t y of Lake C o mo . U ti li sin g hi s kn o wl e dge of c he m is t r y he p on d e re d wa y s o f fi xin g a n i m a ge on pa pe r . B y s p r i n g 1 8 3 4 Ta lb o t s pon de r in g s be ca me r ea l i ty . He fo un d t he ra ti o b et we en s a l t a n d s il ve r n i t ra te t ha t wa s essen t ia l to c rea te and s ta bi li se an i ma ge. Ta l bo t s dis c ov er y of t he sa l t p rin t in s pi re d yea r s of re sea r c h, la yin g t he fo un da ti on f o r ma n y f u t u re p ho t og ra p h ic p rin t p ro ce sse s . In 1 8 3 9 wi t h t he a ssi s ta n c e

E d e r , J . M . ( 1 9 7 8 ) H i s t o r y o f P h o t o g r ap h y , D o v e r P u b l i c a t i o n s I n c N e w Y o r k . p 1

S c h a a f , L . J . ( 2 0 0 0 ) T h e P h o t o g r ap h i c A r t o f W i l li a m H e n r y F o x T a l bo t , P r i n c e t o n U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d s h i r e , U K. p .2 9 .
2 3

Ibid.p13.

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l |

T he O rig in s

of h is c ol lea g ue , S ir J o hn He rs c he l, T a lb o t wa s a b le t o fix t hi s i m a ge p e r ma n e n tl y on pa pe r . D es pi te t his , i ma g e f a din g st il l ca us e d T a l bo t a gr ea t dea l of g r ief t h ro u g h in a de q ua te p ro ce ssin g a n d wa sh in g . Fa din g be ca me s u c h a n i ss ue fo r ma n y sa l t p rin t e rs t ha t a fa din g co m m i t tee wa s es ta bli s he d in 1855. T he p h o to g ra ms , o r a s Ta l bo t c a ll ed t h e m p ho t og e n ic d ra wi n gs we r e c re a te d b y coa t in g wr it in g pa pe r wi t h a sa l t (s od i u m c h lo r i de ) s ol u ti on . Af t e r t h e p a pe r d rie d he a p p li ed a coa t in g of s il ve r n it ra t e so l u ti on . An ob je c t su c h a s a lea f o r la ce wa s p la c ed on t he d r y , n o w li g h t sen s i ti v e pa pe r; a n i m a g e wa s c rea te d wh en ex p o sed to s un li g h t. T hi s is a sa l t p ri n t o r sa l t ed pa pe r p rin t . I n 1 8 3 4 Ta l bo t bega n ex p os i n g i m a ge s in a ca m era . B y con ta c t p rin t in g t he se n e ga ti ve sa l t p rin t s, Ta l bo t p ro d u ce d po si ti ve i ma ges . In 1 8 4 0 he d is c ove r ed t h a t ga ll i c a c i d de vel o pe d o u t a la ten t i ma ge o n pa p e r . T h is c rea te d t he f i rs t dev el op ed -o u t n ega ti ve to po si ti ve p ho t og ra p h ic p rin t p r oc ess . Ex po s u r e ti me in t he ca me ra d ra ma t ica ll y de c rea sed f ro m h o u rs to sec on ds 4. T he e ff ec t on p ho t og ra p h y s re p r od u c ti ve po we r wa s en o r m o us and 5 effe c t ive l y wa s t he de m ise o f t he Da g u er re o t y pe . As ea rl y a s 1 8 4 2 Ta l bo t p r o po se d t h e t ele p h o to len s, ele c t ron ic f la s h a n d in f ra re d p h o t og ra p h y . H e se t t h e fo un da ti on of p h o t og ra v u re wi t h p ho t o en g ra vin g , p r e di c t in g p ho t og ra p h ic r ep r od u c t ion wo u l d f oll o w t h e wa y o f t he p rin t in g p re ss 6. Ta l bo t wa s o bses se d wi t h t he po we r of l ig h t . T hi r t y- t wo o f h is f o r t y- t wo p u b li s he d p a pe rs dea l t wi t h l ig h t . 7 T he o u t st a n d in g s c ho la r, ex pe ri m en t er , t hin ke r a n d a r ti s t wa s de s tin e d to be c o me on e of t he m os t in f l ue n ti a l sc ien ti s ts of t he n i n e teen t h c en t u r y . Ta l bo t ca me in t o

E d e r , J . M . ( 1 9 7 8 ) H i s t o r y o f P h o t o g r ap h y , D o v e r P u b l i c a t i o n s I n c N e w Y o r k . p 3 2 1 Ibid. p 323

S c h a a f , L . J . ( 2 0 0 0 ) T h e P h o t o g r a p h i c A r t o f W i l li am H e n r y F o x T a lbo t , P r i n c e t o n U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d s h i r e , U K. p 2 8
6

G r a y , M . , O l l m a n , A . a n d M c C u s k e r , C . ( 2 0 0 2 ) T h e F i r s t P h o t o g r a p h s W i l li am H e n r y F o x T a l b o t a n d t h e B i r t h o f P h o t o g r a ph y , P o w e r H o u s e B o o k s U S A , N e w Y o r k .
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T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he O ri gin s

T he O rig in s

p ho t og ra p h y a s a pi c t u re ma k e r r a t h er t ha n a sc ien ti s t 8 c rea tin g a n e w c ra f t a n d a r t fo r m . T he sa l t p rin t e m b ra c es t he a r t, c ra f t a n d sc ien ce of p ho t og ra p h y . Sa l t p rin t in g in cl u des t h e a l b u m e n p rin t in g p ro ce ss . Al b u m en i s t he b in de r o b ta in ed f r o m t he egg wh i t e o f u s ua l ly hen s e gg s . In bo t h s a l t a n d a l b u men p rin t in g s i lv er c hl o ri d e f o r ms t h e i ma ge . T h e F r en c h p ho t og ra p he r L o u i s Ds i r B la n q ua r t -Ev ra r d d eve lo pe d t h e a lb u m en p rin t in t he la te 1 8 4 0s . H e di sc ov e re d t he a l b u men pa pe r wh i l e sea r c h i n g f o r i m p r ov e men ts in Ta l b o t s ca l o t y pe (p a p e r n ega t ive ) p r oc ess . O n M a y 2 7 , 1 8 5 0 B la n q ua r t -E v ra r d p res en te d hi s di sc o ve r y to t he F r en c h Ac a d e m y . B y 1 8 5 5 m os t p ho t og ra p he r s ha d c h a n ge d to a l b u men p rin t in g , t hi s re ma in e d t h e p rin ci pa l p rin t in g me t h od un ti l 1 8 9 0 when gela t in si lve r ca me in t o use 9. T he Ge r ma n ci t y of D re sd en , b y 1 8 7 0 s u p pl ie d t h e m a j o ri t y o f t he wo r l d s a l b u m en p a p e r. D res den ha d t he a d va n ta g e o f be in g cl ose t o t h e pa pe r ma n u fa c t u r er s of Ri ve s a n d S a xes . Co m bin ed wi t h a n e xce llen t s u p p ly of l o w c os t eg gs a n d la bo u r t he y p r o d u ce d a su pe ri o r p r o d uc t . In 1 8 8 8 t he D re sd en e r Al b u m u i n fa b r i ken A. G fa c t o r y use d m o re t ha n six m il l ion eg gs to ma ke 1 8 , 6 7 4 rea m s of a l b u me n pa pe r . Ea c h ha n d c ra f te d rea m wa s 4 8 0 s he e ts a t 4 6 0 m m b y 5 8 0 m m . T his wa s j us t on e of se ve ra l f a c t o rie s in D re sd en a l on e . 10 P ho t og ra p he r s to da y ma y n o t be a wa re o f ho w t he e a r ly pi on ee r s ma de t he i r f i rs t p h o to gra p h i c i ma ges , but con t e m po ra r y p h o t og ra p he rs s t il l s ha re t he sa m e de si re to ma ke pe r m a n en t i ma ges . 11 To da y, a s p ho t og ra p h ic i ma g i n g con t in ues to ex ten d a n d d eve lo p we de ba te a n d s t r ug gl e wit h a m y ri a d of i ss ues of wh a t we be lie ve p ho to g ra p h y s ho u l d be .

W a l l s , H . J . a n d A t t r i d g e , G . G . ( 1 9 7 7 ) B as i c P h o t o S c i e n c e , h o w ph o t o g r a p h y w o r k s , Focal Press, London. p 13

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E d e r , J . M . ( 1 9 7 8 ) H i s t o r y o f P h o t o g r a p h y , D o v e r P u b l i c at i o n s I n c N e w Y o r k . p 5 3 5 537
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R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 33-35
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W a l l s , H . J . a n d A t t r i d g e , G . G . ( 1 9 7 7 ) B as i c P h o t o S c i e n c e , h o w ph o t o g r ap h y w o r k s , Focal Press, London. p13.

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T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he O ri gin s

C HAPTER 2
2. P H OT OG R AP H IC P R O C ES S ES

T h is c h a p t er d is c us s es a l t er n a t iv e pro c e s s es i n ge n er a l . I t lo o ks a t t h e d i f f er en c e b etw e e n p ri n t i ng -o u t a n d pro c es s i ng - o u t p ri n ts a n d co n c l u d e s w i th is s ues u n iq ue to t h e s a l t pr i n t .

A L TE R N A TI V E P H O T O G R A P H I C P R O C E S S E S
M a n y o f t he ea rl y p h o tog r a p h i c p rin t p r oc esse s a re re fe r re d t o a s A lt e rn a ti ve . T h i s te r m a ls o i n c l u de s me t h od s of ca p t u rin g i ma ge s wi t h len s- l ess ca m e ra s s u c h a s pin h ol e . T h e m o re co m m on l y p ra ct i se d p ro ce sse s in c l u d e a l b u men , c ya n o t y pe , gu m bi c h r o ma t es , g u m oi ls , br o m oil s, zia t y pe , pla t in u m /pa lla d i u m , sa l t p rin ts a n d V a n D y ke b r o wn . De sp i te ma n y de ba te s ov e r t he yea r s , a l te rn a t ive i s wi de ly un de rs t oo d a n d a c c ep te d b y t he v a s t m a jo r i t y o f p ra c t it io n er s . Te r ms les s f re q ue n tl y u se d in cl u de ; t ra di t ion a l p ro ces ses , hi s to r ic a l p h o t og ra p hi c p r o ces ses , ha n d c ra f te d i ma ges a n d p ri m i ti ve p ho t og ra p h y . D igi ta l i ma gin g h a s la rge l y di s pla c ed f il m ca p t u r e a n d c he m ica l p r oc ess in g. B la c k a n d wh i te silv e r gela t in p ri n tin g , on c e t he ma in s ta y fo r p h o to gr a p h ic p r in tin g , t o da y is con si de re d a n a l t er n a t ive p ro ce ss .

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT PR OCESSES .

De ve lo pe d - o u t a n d p rin te d -o u t a re t he t wo m a j o r p h o t og ra p hi c p rin t ca teg o ri es . 1. De ve lo pe d , o r p ro ce sse d - o u t, r efe r s t o t he i ma g e t ha t is ca p t u re d b u t n o t s e en un ti l c h e mi ca l b a t hs dev el op o r p r o ces s o u t t h e l a ten t i ma ge , kn o wn a s t he c h e mi ca l re d u c ti on o f si lve r pa r ti cl es . M o st p h o to g ra p hi c pa p e rs a re p ro ce sse d in t h e da r k ro o m un de r a re d sa f e li g h t . Sin ce 1 9 0 5 p ro ces s in g - o u t ha s been t he m os t co m m on p ra c ti ce o f p rin t in g . 12 No w di gi ta l o u t p u t s u r pa s se s t he t ra di t ion a l we t p r o c esses .

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y a n d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 2
12

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l |

D E V E L O P E D -O U T P H O TO G R AP H I C P R I N TI N G
ADVANTAGES
Negatives can create enlarged prints to a preferred size. Mass production standardised coatings, allowing print consistency. Processing chemicals are in a ready to use form.

DISADVANTAGES
To n a l r a n g e i s n o t a s w i d e a s some of the printing-out processes. P a p e r t yp e s a n d s u r f a c e s a r e limited the by manufacturers choice. A traditional wet darkroom is required.

2.

P rin t in g -o u t re fe rs to t he p r oc ess es whe r e p r in ts a re c rea te d b y l ig h t e n e rg y on l y . T he y re q u ir e n o c he m i ca l a i d to p ro d u ce a n i m a g e . M a n y o f t he me t a l ba se d p r o ces ses a p pea r in s ha de s of b ro wn . T h is i s d ue t o t he i ma ge ma k in g pa r ti cle s i ze . T he y a re to o sm a ll fo r l ig h t to re fle c t a l l t h e wa v elen g t h s of li g h t. P r oc esse d o u t sil ve r gela t in a p p ea rs bl a c k a s t he s il ve r pa r ti cl es a re la rge en o ug h t o a bs o r b a l l wa ve len g t h s of li g h t . A hin g e d b a c k p ri n tin g f r a me a ll o ws e a sy a c ce ss to c h ec k t he ex po s u re d u ri n g p r in tin g . Fo r t h e f i rs t si xt y -f iv e yea rs of p ho t og ra p h y t h is wa s t he m et h o d o f c re a t in g t he ma jo r i t y of p ho t og r a p hi c p rin ts . 13

13

Ibid.p2.

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra p h ic P r oc esse s

P R I N TI N G - O U T P H O T O G R AP H I C P R O C E S S E S
ADVANTAGES
Th e c o a t i n g s a r e a p p l i e d b y hand, the prints are therefore uniquely the photographers. Th e t o n a l r a n g e i s g r e a t e r t h a n developed out photographic papers for processes such as salt, albumen and platinum /palladium. Some have a narrow tonal range, but offer benefits such as colour using pigments. A wide choice of papers and textures. Th e n u m e r o u s c o n t r o l s o v e r tonal effects, contrast, surface finish and colours. A darkroom is not required.

DISADVANTAGES
Restricted to contact printing, the negative is the same size as the print. ( An exception is the bromoil process) Contact printing requires creating negatives either by using large format cameras, increasing the negative size in the darkroom or printing inkjet negatives from digital files. Each of the processes requires a s p e c i f i c t yp e o f n e g a t i v e . Printing-out processes maybe one, t wo o r m u l t i c o a t i n g s t h a t r e q u i r e drying between each coat before exposing or re-exposing. Most solutions need to be prepared from raw stock chemicals. Some require care and special handling. Sunlight is inconsistent. For consistency an artificial UV light source is required. Exposures are considerably longer than processed out papers, minutes to hours as opposed to seconds.

Sunlight is a readily available light source to expose prints.

Prints can be checked during exposure.

M A T TE R S U N I Q U E TO S A L T P R I N T I N G
Sa l t P r in t in g i s a p rin t in g -o u t p ro ces s of fe r in g a ton a l r a n ge gr ea te r t ha n a ll o t h er p h o to g ra p hi c p ri n ti n g p ro ce sse s . T h is i s a t t ri b u te d to a n in he r en t ma s k in g a bi li t y t ha t o cc u r s d u rin g exp os u re . I t r e q ui r es a den se n eg a t i ve wh i c h ma y ex cl u de p rin t in g wi t h o t he r p ro ce sse s . S il ve r n i t ra te s ol u t ion res p o n ds un fa v o u ra bl y t o ma n y pa pe r a d d i ti ves , re st r i c tin g sa l t p rin tin g to q ua li t y 1 0 0 % c ot t on wa t e r c ol o u r pa pe rs . T wo se pa ra te sol u t ion s a re a p pl i ed ; e a c h m us t be d rie d bef o re ex po s u re . An y s h o r t c u ts res ul t in s ta i n in g o r p ro d u cin g a le ss t ha n des i ra ble p rin t .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra p h ic P r oc esse s

T he Sa l t a n d in fl u en ce d b y : o o o o o o o

Al b u men

p r in t

c ol o u r

and

a pp ea ra n ce

is

T he pa pe r : s iz in g in t he pa pe r a n d t he c ol o u r of t h e pa pe r . Ch e mi ca ls : di ff e ren t f o r m ula s a n d a d di ti ve s . H u mi di t y . The n ega tive or subject ma tter for photogra ms . L ig h t ex po s u re s o u r ce . Ton in g . Wa s hin g a n d fix in g .

A p la in sa l te d p rin t ha s a s in g le la y er st r u c t u re in wh i c h t he i ma ge is e m be d de d in t he p a p e r fi b re . An a l b u m en p rin t , h o we ve r, i s a t wo la ye r s t r u c t u re. Al b u men h ol ds t he i ma g e on t he s u r fa ce of t he p a pe r . 14 T he a d d i ti on of ge la t in a s a bin de r i n t he sa l t so l u ti on ca n a lso c rea te a t wo l a ye r s t r uc t u r e in t he sa l t p r in t. T h e g el a ti n h ol ds t he i ma ge on t he s u r fa ce of t he p a pe r .

14

http//archive.amol.org.au/collections/1/3/17.html

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra p h ic P r oc esse s

C HAPTER 3
3. P R EP A RI NG
F OR

SALT

P R IN T IN G

R eq ui re m e n ts o f t h e w o rk i ng s p ac e , e q u i p me n t , m a te ri a ls a n d c he m i c a ls r eq u ir e d fo r s a l t pr i n t i ng ar e d is c us s e d in t his c h a p te r . I t co n c l u d es w it h a n o u t li n e o f t h e s t e ps i n vo lv e d i n m a k i ng t he s a l t p r i n t . C he m i c a ls t h e ms e l v es ar e no t n e ces s a r i l y d a ng ero us , b u t m is h a n d li ng , o f te n th ro ug h i g no r a n ce c a n c a us e s er io us i n j ur ies . T a ke t i me to u n de rs t a n d t h e c he m i c a ls yo u a re us i ng , ho w t he y s ho u l d b e h a n d le d a n d t re a t t he m w i t h t h e u t mo s t res p ec t . A s k t h e c h e mi c a l s u p p li ers o r d o w n lo a d fro m t he w eb M a t er i a ls S a f e ty D a t a S h ee t s ( M SD S) , fo r e ac h o f t h e c h e mi c a ls a cq u ir e d. T h e M SD S gi ves a f u l l des c r i p t io n o f s a f e h a n d l i ng , w ha t pro t e c tio n is r eq ui re d a n d t he fi rs t ai d t re a t m e n t .

A tr a d i ti on a l we t da r k r oo m is n o t n e ces sa ry . A l t h o ug h des i ra ble , a U V li g h t b ox i s n o t es sen ti a l a s t h e s un ca n s u p pl y t he u l t ra v io le t (U V ) lig h t r eq u i re d to exp ose t h e p r in t . T he c he m ica ls fo r sa l t p rin t in g a n d p r o ces sin g a re re la ti vel y in ex pen s iv e a n d ea sil y o b ta in e d . Ho we ve r s o me c he m i ca l s fo r to n in g a r e c on si de r a bl y m o re c os t ly .

THE WORKING SPACE:

o Wo r k ro o m or a rea fo r coa t in g pa pe r wh e r e a l l U V a n d sun li g h t ca n be bl o c ke d o u t . L o w in ca n des ce n t l ig h t in g is r e q ui re d ; 2 5 t o 5 0 wa t t ( lo w wa t ta ge n o r ma l h o us e la mp ) a t lea s t 1 . 5 m a wa y f ro m t h e wo r kin g s u r fa c e . T hi s is wh e re coa t in g a n d in s pe c t ion wi ll ta ke p la ce . N B : Fl uo r es cen t li g h ts s h o ul d n o t be use d a s m os t e m it U V . A ben c h o r ta bl e wi t h a d r y c lea n fl a t s u rf a c e f o r coa t in g pa pe r . A we t p r o ces sin g a rea , p r efe ra b l y wi t h r un n in g wa te r , sepa r a t e f ro m t he c oa tin g a n d t he ex p osin g a r ea . T he r e sh o ul d be e n o u g h s pa ce to ho l d 5 t o 8 p ro ce ssin g t ra ys. A clea n , d us t f ree d r y l o ca ti on a wa y fr o m wa t e r a n d c he m ica ls f o r d r y in g fin is he d p r in ts .

o o

EQUIPMENT:
o A gla s s s hee t 4 m m to 6 m m t hi c k . Si ze a p p r oxi m a tel y 4 0 0 m m x 5 0 0 m m to p ro vi de a h a r d f la t ba se fo r coa t in g . An a l te rn a ti ve is hea v y ca r d . T his p r o te c ts t he ben c h o r ta ble f ro m in e vi t a b le s il ve r n i t ra te s ta in s . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P re pa rin g f o r S a lt p rin t in g
8

o D r yin g ca b in e t a n d/ o r ha i r d r ye r to d r y pr in ts . o Exp os u re f ra me s. T he se ca n be t ra di t io n a l a s t he i ma g e s ho wn , o r a p ie ce o f 3 m m or 4 m m t hi c k gla ss cl ip pe d t o a b oa r d. T he boa r d ca n be hin ge d b y t wo pa r ts ta p ed to ge t he r a s s h o wn . T he b oa r d a n d t he gla s s s h o ul d be t h e sa me si ze , ha ve t he edg es of t he gla ss g ro un d o r ta pe d t o a vo id c u t tin g h a n d s . o Sca les , ei t he r ba la n ce o r e le c t ron ic , m e a su r in g 0. 1 g m o r les s. o A r ti fi cia l U V li g h t s o u rc e o r s un .

T O O L S A N D M A TE R I A L S
o Fo r c oa tin g: G la s s r od s 1 0 m m wi d e r t h a n t he n e ga ti ve . Fo r exa m pl e a 2 0 3 x 2 5 5 m m ( 8 x 1 0 in c h ) n ega t ive re q u ir es a ro d 2 1 3 m m l on g . T h ese a re m a de f r o m a p p rox 1 m m t h ic k wa lle d g la ss t u bes wi t h 1 0 m m op en in g. A t r ia n g u l a r s ha pe a s ill u s t ra t ed wi ll a ll o w coa t in g wh i le us in g on e ha n d. Al te rn a t iv el y , b r u s h es wi t h D is po sa b le s po n ge b r us he s a va i la ble in m u l ti pl e s i zes . wi t h c o t ton wo o l a n d a te s t o n o me ta ll ic pa r ts . a re c he a p a n d rea di ly B u c kl e b r us he s ca n be ma de t u be .

Sy r in g es 3 m l o r 5 m l t o a cc u ra t el y m ea s u re c oa tin g sol u t ion s ( wi t h o u t t he n ee d le ). C he m i st s h o ps sel l t h e sy r in ge s. B ro wn gla ss b o t tl e 1 0 0 m l wi t h a wi de o pen in g f o r t h e sil ve r n i t ra te s ol u t i on . St o ra ge b o t tle s 5 0 0 m l fo r sa l t so l u ti on s. Gla s s o r p la s t ic g ra d ua te s 5 0 0 m l a n d 1 0 0 0 ml fo r ma kin g a n d m ixi n g so l ut io n s . Gla s s o r p la s t ic mea su r in g g ra d ua t e o r pi pe t te s 2 5 ml a n d 5 0 m l wi t h a t lea s t 1 m l in c re men t s 6 t o 1 0 p ho t og ra p h ic t ra y s , la rg e r t ha n t he p r in t si ze t o a l lo w r o o m t o m ov e t h e p r in t ea sil y . Se t of wo o de n o r p l a st i c p ri n tin g t on gs . Clo t h es l in e a n d p lastic pegs or non metallic clips for hanging prints to dry, alte rn a t iv el y n on-metallic screens, fibreglass or plastic for drying prints flat. Ro lls o f a bs or b en t wh i t e pa pe r t o we ls to wi pe up s pi lls a n d ex ces s so l u ti on . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P re pa rin g f o r S a lt p rin t in g
9

o o o o o o o

R ub be r gl o ves fo r ha n d p ro t ec t ion . N ot t he po wd e re d glo ve pa c ks , a s yo u ta ke t he m o ff po wd e r ma y con ta m in a t e yo u r wo rk a n d wo r k a re a . S ma l l s q ua res of pa pe r to we i g h s ma ll e r a m o un ts of c he m ica ls . Pa pe r c u ps fo r mea s u ri n g la r ge r a mo un t s of c h e mi ca ls . Pla s ti c sp oon s con ta in e rs . to r e mo ve dry c h e m ica ls from t he i r

o o o o o o

1 0 0 % Ra g c o t ton wa te r co lo u r pa pe r si z ed wi t h ge la tin o r sta r c h . Se e C ha p t e r 5 T he P a p er f o r m o r e in fo r m a ti on . Re m ova bl e ta pe t o h ol d pa pe r s t il l wh i le c oa ti n g . Ch eese cl o t h to s t ra in a l b u men a n d a r r o wr o o t s ol u t ion s .

CHEMICALS
See A p pen d ix 1 fo r m o re in fo r ma t ion o n t he f ol lo wi n g c he m ica l s . Sa l ti n g s ol u ti on s o o o o o o o o A m m on i u m c hl o ri de . A r ro wr o o t ( f o r s ta r c h bin de r / si z in g ). Ci t ri c a c i d ( re q u i re d fo r A r ro wr o o t s ta r c h b in de r ). Gela t in ( f o r b in de r / si zin g ) . Sil ve r n i t ra t e ( s en si ti se r ). So di u m c hl o ri de (sa lt ) . So di u m c i t ra te ( in c r ea se s s pee d a n d m o di fie s co lo u r ) . Po ta ssi u m d ic h r o ma te ( to in c rea se c on t r a st ) .

Al b u men P rin t in g o o o Egg wh i t e . Gla cia l a ce t i c a c id . Is o p ro p yl Al co h ol 7 0 % ( f o r d o u bl e c oa ti n g) .

Ton in g o o o o A m m on i u m t hi o c ya n a te . Ci t ri c a c i d . Gol d c hl o ri de 1% . Po ta ssi u m c h lo r op la tin i te 2 0% . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P re pa rin g f o r S a lt p rin t in g

1 0

o o o o o

So di u m a ce ta t e . So di u m c hl o ri de . So di u m c hl o ro pa lla di te 1 5 % . So di u m te t ra b o ra te ( bo ra x ) . So di u m t h io c ya n a te .

P ro ce ssin g o o o So di u m ca r bon a t e ( a d di ti ve to fix e r) . So di u m s ul p hi te (f ix er clea r in g a gen t ) . So di u m t h ios u lf a t e h yp o (f ixe r ) .

D is ti lle d o r de - min era li ze d wa te r s h o ul d be use d to m i x a ll coa t in g a n d ton in g sol u t ion s. C on d i ti o n of p i pes a n d pl u m bin g fix t u re s ma y a l lo w th e wa te r t o p ic k up t ra ce ele m en ts th a t a ffe c t t he c he m ic a l r ea c t ion s d u rin g t he p rin t c oa tin g a n d to n in g p r o cess es . A lt h o ug h t h e q u a li t y of ta p wa te r ca n v a r y gr ea tl y i t is gen e ra ll y s ui ta bl e fo r ma kin g t h e fixe r , s ta n da r d wa s hin g a n d rin sin g o f p r in ts .

O V E R V I E W O F TH E S A L T P R I N TI N G S T E P S
Th e f ol lo win g l is t gi ves a ba si c in v ol ve d in ma kin g a sa l t p r in t . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. M a ke t he sa l t so l u ti on . U se 1 0 0 % c o t to n ra g pa p e r a n d ma r k o u t t he i ma ge a rea . A pp l y t h e s a l t s ol u t ion to t he pa pe r. D r y t he sa l t ed pa pe r . M a ke t he s en si t ise r . Sen s i ti ze t he p a p e r in s ub d ue d l ig h t . D r y in s u b d ue d li g h t . Pla ce n e ga ti ve a n d sec u re in p r in tin g fra m e in s u b d ue d lig h t . Exp ose t o U V li g ht . ove r vi e w of t he st ep s

1 0 . Re m ove p rin t f r o m f ra me in s u bd u ed lig h t . 1 1 . P ro ce ss in s u b d ue d lig h t .

T he s te ps in c l u de:

in vo lv e d

in

p r o ces sin g

t he

ex p ose d

sa l t

p rin t

1 . P re wa s h in ta p wa te r in s u b d ue d l ig h t . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P re pa rin g f o r S a lt p rin t in g
1 1

2 . Wa s h in ta p wa t e r i n s u b d ue d li g h t . 3 . Ton e in s ub d u ed lig h t . 4 . Wa s h in ta p wa t e r i n s u b d ue d li g h t . 5 . Fix b a t h s. 6 . Wa s h in ta p wa t e r. 7 . Hy p o c lea ri n g ba t h . 8 . Fin a l wa s h in ta p w a te r . 9. Dry.

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P re pa rin g f o r S a lt p rin t in g

1 2

C HAPTER 4
4. T H E S A LT
AN D

S IL V E R F OR MU LAS

T he b as i c fo r m u l as a re s e t o u t i n t h is c h a p te r , w i t h a n u m b er o f v a ri a t io ns i n c l u d i ng b i n d ers . E a c h c h a ng e o r v ar i a t io n w il l cr e a te a d i f fer e n ce , in s o m e c as es d r a m a t i c d i f f er e nc es w i ll b e o bs er ve d . T hes e a r e t he f irs t s te ps i n co n t ro l li n g t h e co l o ur , to n a l r a ng e a n d t he a es t h e t i c a p p e ar a n c e o f t he s a l t p r i n t. Ta l bo t u se d so di u m c hl o ri de , o r co m m on ta b le sa l t in his fi rs t sa l te d pa pe r p r in t s. M os t ta ble sa lt s to da y ha ve a t l ea s t so di u m a l u m in o si li ca t e a n d pos si b ly so d i u m io di de . T he se a d di t ive s ma y rea c t wi t h t h e s il ve r n i t ra te , c rea t in g c h e m ica l fog gin g re d u cin g p r in t q u a li t y . P u r c ha se t he s o di u m c h lo r id e fr o m t he l oc a l c h e m ica l s u pp li e r . Ple a se No t e: T he sa l t so l u ti on s ( c hl o ri des ) a re n o t li gh t sen si t iv e a n d la s t i n de fin it el y . Al l sa l t , a lb u men a n d a r r o wr oo t sol u t ion s ca n be ma de un de r n o r ma l li g h tin g c on di t ion s

SODIUM CHLORIDE FORMULA.

D is ti lle d Wa t e r So di u m c hl o ri de M et h o d: 1 . A t r oo m te m pe ra t u re a dd s od i u m c h l o ri de t o t h e di s ti ll ed wa t er . 2 . T his wil l di sso lv e ea si ly a n d is r ea d y f o r us e wh en di sso lv ed . 2 5 0 ml 5 gm

AMMONIUM CHLORIDE FORMULA.

D is ti lle d Wa t e r A m m on i u m c hl o ri de M et h o d: 1 . A t ro o m te m pe ra t u re di s til le d wa te r . add a m m on i u m c hl o ri de to the
1 3

2 5 0 ml 5 gm

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l |

2 . T his wil l di sso lv e di sso lv ed .

ea si ly

and

is

r ea d y

for

us e

wh en

T he di ff e ren ce s b e t we en t he a m m on i u m c h lo r id e s ol u t ion a n d t he s o di u m c hl o ri d e sol u t ion ; A m m on iu m c hl o ri d e sol u t ion wi l l sli g h tl y d ec r ea se exp os u r e ti m e , en r ic h t he co lo u r a n d con t ra s t o f t h e p r in t m o re t ha n t he s o di u m c h lo r id e so l u t ion . So di u m c hl o ri de is sli g h tl y re dd e r in c ol o u r.

V A R I A TI O N S T O S A L T F O R M U L AS
Sa l t p rin t s a re a t t h ei r b es t wh e n t he c hl o ri d e ( sa l t ) c on te n t i s a p p rox i ma te l y 2 % a n d t he si lve r s o lu t ion is ro un d 1 2 %. Cha n ge s to t h e ra ti o o f sa l t to si lv er c a n be use d t o a l te r t he to n e a n d t he co lo u r of t he fin a l p rin t . Bo t h t h e s od iu m c hl o ri de a n d a m mo n i u m c hl o ri de a r e t he ba se f o r m u la s fo r t he fol lo win g va ria t ion s . Inc re a se Sal t P e rc e nt ag e : Ta l bo t sa l t in t he s ol u ti o n , t he pa p e r T his wa s h is fi r s t a t te m p t a t i ma ge s. 15 Ef fe c ts o f in c re a s in g sol u t ion ; o fo u n d t ha t b y in c rea s in g t he be ca me le ss li g h t sen s it iv e . s ta b il isin g or f i xin g t he sa lt p er cen ta ge in t h e sa lt

3 % c rea tes a s li g h t de c rea se in con t ra st a n d t he t on es a re co ol e r . 5 % c rea te s a d ec r ea se i n con t ra s t a n d t he i ma ge a p p ea rs fla t . 1 0 % c rea te s a s u bs ta n t ia l d ec r ea se re s ul tin g in a ve r y f la t we a k p r in t. in the con t ra s t

De c r e a se Sal t P e rc en t ag e : Ta l bo t dis co ve re d t ha t by de c rea s in g t h e sa l t t he re wa s a n in c r ea se in l ig h t se n s i ti vi t y. 16 Ho we ve r , de c rea sin g t h e c h lo r i de s ol u ti on be lo w 1 % ten d s t o p ro d u ce p rin ts la c k in g b r il lia n ce a n d d en si t y . Ef fe c t s of de c rea s in g t he sa l t in t he s ol u t io n t o; o 1 % ca use s t he sa l t s ol u ti on t o in c re a se t he c on t ra s t a n d t he ton es be co m e wa r me r in c ol o u r.

S c h a a f , L . J . ( 2 0 0 0 ) T h e P h o t o g r a p h i c A r t o f W i l li am H e n r y F o x T a lbo t , P r i n c e t o n U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d s h i r e , U K.
15 16

Ibid.p19

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0 . 5% ca us es t he sa l t s ol u ti on to fu r t h e r in c rea s e con t ra s t, i t be c o m e a wa r m e r co lo u r a n d l ose s s o me de ta il in t he hi g hl ig h ts 0 . 2% ca u ses t he sa lt so l u ti on to in c re a se t he con t ra s t a ll o win g in fo r ma t io n in t h e s ha do ws b u t l i t tle in t he hi g hl ig h t s. T he re i s n ot en o ug h f ree c h lo ri de t o r e ma ke t he si lv e r c hl o ri de . T his c yc le n ee ds t o c on tin u e t o ma ke t he me ta ll i c si lve r pa r ti cl es d u r in g t he e xp os u re .

O t he r c h lo r i de sa l t s a re a ls o s ol u b le in wa te r ; t h ese in c lu d e ca l ci u m c h lo r id e a n d p o ta s si u m c hl o ri d e . IN ORDER OF WARMTH OF COLOUR

1. Ammonia chloride 2. Sodium chloride 3. Potassium chloride 4. Calcium chloride

IN ORDER OF LIGHT SEN SITIVITY 1. Potassium chloride 2. Ammonia chloride 3. Sodium chloride 4. Calcium chloride

B o t h ca l c i u m c hl o ri de a n d p o ta s si u m c hl o ri d e a re u se d a t t h e sa me 2 % ra t io t o t he d is t il le d wa te r a s t he a m m on i u m a n d so di u m c hl o ri de .

A D D I TI V E S T O S A L T F O R M U L AS S O D I U M C I TR A TE
So di u m ci t ra t e in c r ea ses t he re d u c ti on of t h e si lve r c hl o r id e a n d sil ve r c i t ra te to me ta ll ic si lv e r on ex p os u re to li gh t . T he re fo re t he p rin ts wi ll be : o o o Wa r m e r in c ol o u r . L o we r in con t ra s t. Exp os e d f o r le ss ti me .

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SODIUM OR AMMONIUM CHLORIDE + SODIUM CITRATE

D is ti lle d Wa t e r Sodium chloride or a mmonium c hloride So di u m ci t ra t e M et h o d: 1 . A t r oo m te m p e ra t u r e a d d t h e c h lo ri d e t o t he di s ti lle d wa te r . 2 . T his wil l di sso lv e ea si ly a n d is r ea d y f o r us e wh en di sso lv ed . 3 . A dd 5 g m s o di u m ci t ra te ; i t is rea d y f o r use wh e n d iss ol ve d . 2 5 0 ml 5 gm 5 gm

T he s od i u m c hl o ri de s ol u t ion wi t h s od i u m ci t ra te in c re a ses t he s pee d b y on e st o p mo r e t ha n a m m on i u m c hl o ri de . T he a m m on i u m c h lo r i d e wi t h s od i u m ci t ra te in t he s ol u ti o n is a bo u t 1 0 % wa r me r i n co lo u r t ha n t he so di u m c hl o ri de .

P O T A S S I U M D I C H R O M A TE P O T A S S I U M D I C H R O M A TE I S P O I S O N O U S
D U S T FR OM T HE D R Y CHE MI CAL IS CA RCI NOGE NI C . S KIN CO NT ACT MA Y CAU S E
DE RMA TI TI S .

W EA R G LO VE S , E YE P ROTE CTI ON A ND A DU ST MA S K .

A dd in g 2 d ro ps o f po ta ssi u m di c h ro m a te 5% so l u ti on t o 3 0 m l of t he sa l t s ol u t io n yo u wi l l: o o In c rea s e t h e c on t ra s t o f y o u r i ma ge . In c rea s e t h e ex pos u re ti m e.

Po ta ssi u m d ic h r o ma te be co m es l ig h t- se n si ti ve wh en i t oxi d ise s wi t h t h e gel a t in . I t re d u ces t he l ig h t s e n si ti vi t y t he re fo re re q u ir es l on g er e xp os u re ti m es . 17

17

Potassium dichromate is only light -sensitive when it has something to oxidise for example gum Arabic or gelatin, it cannot oxidise itself. It reduces sensitivity, hence t h e l o n g e r e x p o s u r e t i m e s . I t i n c r e as e s t h e c o n t r a s t b y c u t t i n g o f f h i g h - l i g h t s i n t h e t o n a l s c a l e . The presence of the strong oxidising agent chromium (VI) will ten d to reverse the photochemical formation of silver metal, re-oxidising it to Ag+, it reduces sensitivity and increases contrast. Mike Ware 28/11/07.

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POTASSIUM DICHROMATE 5% SOLUTION

D is ti lle d Wa t e r Po ta ssi u m d ic h r o ma te M et h o d: 1 . Hea t wa te r to 2 0 C . 2 . P u t on g lo ves , e ye p r ot ec t ion a n d d us t ma sk . 3 . D iss ol ve 5 g m o f po ta ssi u m di c h r o m a te in t he di s ti lle d wa t er . 4 . St o re in a s m a ll s t o p pe re d b r o wn bo t t l e . 1 0 0 ml 5 gm

V a r yi n g t h e a m o un t of p o ta s si u m d i c h ro m a t e a ll o ws s o me con t r ol . T h e ex t re me u sa ge , i .e . 1 0 % po ta ssi u m d i c h ro ma te wi l l ca us e los s of i n fo r ma t ion in t he s ha do ws b ef o re t h e r e is de ta il in t he hi g hl i gh t s. A m m on i u m c hl o ri d e wi t h p o ta s s iu m di c h r o ma te is 8 % to 1 0 % co ole r in co lo u r t ha n so di u m c h l o ri de wi t h p o ta ss i u m di c h r o ma te .

SODIUM OR AMMONIUM CHLORIDE + POTASSIUM DICHROMATE

D is ti lle d wa te r Sodium chloride or a mmonium c hloride M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 2 0 C . A dd t he sa l t t o t he di s til le d wa te r . I t will di ss ol ve ea s il y . Ta ke 3 0 m l o f sa l t s ol u ti on . A dd 2 d ro ps o f t he 5 % po ta ssi u m d ic h r o ma te s ol u ti on . 2 5 0 ml 5 gm

BINDERS
Bin de r s a re s u bs t a n ces t ha t bi n d t oge t he r t wo or m o re

ma te r ia l s o r c he m i c a ls in a m ix t u re . T h e m os t co m m on l y u sed in sa l t p rin ti n g a r e ge la tin a r r o wr o o t a n d a l b u men . T h eses bin de r s ho ld t h e c h lo ri de , di s pe rs in g t he si lve r c h lo ri d e whi le h ol din g i t to t he p a pe r .

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N B: To a vo i d s po il in g yo u r n e ga ti ve , m a ke s u re t he re is n o exce ss of t he b in d er le f t on t he ed g es o f t he pa p e r. t h o ug h n ega ti ve t he is pa pe r pla ce d is dry on t hi s ex ce ss or l u m ps h ol d s Even t he and

m ois t u r e a n d a b so r b a g rea t e r % of t he sil ve r n i t ra t e. W hen t he t he sen s i ti ze d pa pe r s u r fa ce exp ose d , t he h u m i di t y c rea te d b y U V la mp s o r s u n c re a te s m ois t u r e a n d n o t o n ly s t a in s b u t t he sof t bin de r l u m ps ma y st ic k t o y o u r n ega t i ve.

G E L A TI N B I N D E R
T he ge la tin e bin de r a ct s a s a si zin g a gen t a n d t he f ol lo wi n g oc c u rs : o T he i m a ge a p pea r s sh a rp e r a s t he g ela tin s to ps t h e sil ve r c hl o ri de so l u ti on f ro m be in g a bs o r be d in t o t he pa pe r f ib r es . T he i ma ge si t s on t he p a pe r s u r fa c e. I t m a k es t h e i ma g e c ol o u r a p pea r c oo le r a t a s m a l l pe r cen ta ge, b ut a s t he p e rc en ta ge in c rea s es t he i ma ge be co m es wa r me r . T he p rin t wi ll a p pe a r to ha ve a s li g h t sh een , d ep en d in g on t h e a m o un t o f ge la t in a dd ed t o t h e s ol u ti on . As t he p e rc en ta ge o f gela t in is i n c r ea se d in t he sa lt sol u t io n t he te m pe r a t u re of t he so l u ti o n n ee ds t o be a t lea s t 2 0 C be fo re c oa tin g . C ol d ge la tin s ol u ti on s wi l l beg in to se t a s y o u a re coa t in g , ma kin g a s m oo t h e ven fin i s h d if fi c ul t to a c hie ve .

SODIUM OR AMMONIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION + GELATIN

D is ti lle d Wa t e r Gela t in D is ti lle d Wa t e r So di u m c hl o ri de or A m m on i u m C h lo r i de M et h o d: 1 . Mix 2 gm of gelatin with 50 ml of the distilled water at room temperature, lea ve f o r 1 0 m in u tes . 2 . Hea t t he 2 0 0 ml o f d is ti lle d wa te r t o 4 0 C . 3 . A dd t he sa l t. 4 . St i r in t he ge la tin . 5 . T he so l u ti on is rea d y wh en co ole d to a b o u t 2 0 C . 5 0 ml 2 gm 2 0 0 ml 5 gm

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A bo u t Ge l ati n : Bl o o m fa c to r s mea s u re ho w r ig id t he g ela t in sol u t ion is wh en i t se ts . A la b g ra de p u r c ha se d f r o m a c he m ica l s u p pli e r w ill ha ve a b lo o m n u m be r o f a b o u t 1 2 5, a su pe r m a r ke t c oo k in g gela t in (a ls o ca lle d ge la tin e ) i s les s t ha n 1 0 0 . T he hi g he r t he bl oo m n u m b er t he f ir m e r t h e ge l fo r a n y giv en c on cen t ra ti on o f ge la tin . Foo d g ela ti n a va i la b le f ro m s up e r ma r ke ts co m es in gra n ula r o r s h ee t f o r m . I t n o r ma l l y h a s t he p res e rva t i ve 2 2 0 s u lp h u r di ox id e ( CO 2 ) . As s oon a s t he s il ve r n i t ra te sol u t ion is a p p lie d to a sa l t so l u ti on us in g t his t y pe o f gela t in a s a b in d e r i t s ta r ts to oxi d ise t he s il ve r b ef o re exp os u re s h o wi n g a ye ll o win g o r c h e mi c a l f og gin g e ffe c t . T his i mp a i rs t he hi g hl ig h t s a li t tl e. 18

ARROWROOT BINDER
A r ro wr o o t s ta r c h a c ts a s a s iz in g a n d : o o Cr ea tes a d ee p wa r m ton e En ha n c es d e ta i l in t he s ha d o w r eg ion

ARROWROOT FORMULA19
D is ti lle d wa te r A r ro wr o o t s ta r c h D is ti lle d wa te r A m m on i u m c hl o ri de So di u m ca r bon a t e Ci t ri c a c i d M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. M ix t h e a r r o wr o o t s ta r c h wi t h a bo u t 2 0 ml o f t h e di s ti lle d wa t er ma k in g a s m o ot h c rea m y s u sp en s ion . B rin g t o t he b oi l t h e ba la n ce o f d is t ill e d wa te r . Gra d ua ll y a d d t he s ta r c h wh i le s ti r r in g . Con tin u e t o b oi l un t il t he li q u i d is t ra n s lu ce n t . Wi t h t he se con d a m o un t o f di s ti lle d wa te r d iss ol ve in t he a m m on i u m c hl o ri d e , so di u m ca r bon a te a n d ci t r ic a ci d . Wh il e a d din g t h e c i t ri c a ci d t his s ol u t io n wi ll e ffe r ve sc e . 7 5 0 ml 20 gm 2 5 0 ml 14 gm 23 gm 7 gm

18

Sulphur dioxide is a reductant, apart from the fogging there is no long term e f f e c t . M i k e W a r e 2 0 0 7 . A l a n E l l i o t t s t at e s t h at s o m e S O 2 r e m a i n s b o u n d t o t h e gelatin. W a l l , E . J . a n d J o r d a n , F . I . ( 1 9 7 5 ) P h o t o g r a ph i c F a c t s an d F o r m u l as , A m e r i c an Photographic Book Publishing Co., Inc., New York USA. p 258
19

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6. 7. 8.

A dd t he s ol u t ion t o t he a r r o wr o o t a n d b oi l fo r 5 mo r e m in u tes . T he s m el l of a m m on ia wi l l be q ui te st r on g . St r a in t h ro u g h c he e se cl o t h wh i le s t ill wa r m , l ea ve t o c oo l. Re m ove a n y s k in t ha t h a s fo r m ed bef o re a p pl y in g t o t h e pa pe r .

Coa tin g pa pe r wi t h a r r o wr o o t is m o re c ha l len gin g t ha n o t he r bin de r s. T he a bo ve fo r m u la is s ui ta bl e fo r c oa tin g wi t h a r od o r b r us h . If t h e c oa tin g o f t he so l u ti on is t oo t hi c k, t he sen si t iv i t y of t h e si lve r n i t ra te s o lu t ion de c rea s es . T his c rea te s a p in k l ig h t b r o wn c ol o u r wi t h pl en ty o f de ta il b u t n o den s i t y in t he s ha d o w r eg ion s. N ot e : S od i u m c i t ra te is n e ce ssa r y in t he s ol u ti on a s s ta r c h a lon e i s n o t a n a c t ive o r ga n i c s u bs ta n ce 20. Ci t ri c a ci d in n ot n ece ssa r y in t h e si l ve r n i t ra te , i t wi ll i n c rea s e sen si t iv it y b u t wi l l m a k e t h e pa pe r mo r e d iff i c ul t to to n e. 21

ALBUMEN BINDER
Al b u men is a n a c t ive o rga n ic s u bs ta n ce ; i t in c rea s e s t he re d u ct io n of si lve r c h l or i de a n d s ilv e r a l b u min a t e. An a l b u m en p rin t is a sa l t p ri n t wi t h t he a l b u men bin de r . T h is bin de r will a d he r e t h e si l ve r i ma ge on t h e pa pe r s u rfa ce . Ex p er i men ts on a l b u m en wi t h o u t sa l t were ca r rie d o u t in 1 8 3 9 b y Ta lb o t a n d in 1 8 4 1 b y R ob e r t H un t . 22 T he i m a ge wa s c r ea t ed f r o m s il ve r n i t ra te fo r m in g s ilv e r a lb u m in a te s wh i c h re d u ce to m e ta l li c sil ve r on e xp os u r e t o lig h t . 23 Fre n c h p h o t og ra p he r B la n q ua r t -E v ra r d re fin e d t he p r oc ess b y a d din g t he c h l or i de a n d a n n o un c e d hi s s u c ces s in 1 8 5 0 . T he Al b u men p rin t in c o r po ra t in g c hl o ri de be ca me t he pr o m in en t p rin t in g pr o ces s o f t he mi d 1 9 t h cen t u r y a n d re ma in e d th e p rin ci pa l p r in tin g m et h o d un t il 1 8 9 5 . 24

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 2 2
20

C r a w f o r d , W . ( 1 9 7 9 ) K e e p e r s o f t h e L i g h t , M o r g a n & M o r g an , I n c . , N e w Y o r k , U S A . p153
21 22

H u n t , R . ( 1 9 7 3 ) A M a n u a l o f P h o t o g r ap h y , A r n o P r e s s I n c . U S A . p 2 8 6

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , USA.p,28
23 24

Ibid. p28

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ALBUMEN FORMULA
Al b u men (e gg wh i t e ) to 10 eggs) D is ti lle d wa te r A m m on i u m c hl o ri de Gla cia l a ce t i c a c id M et h o d: 1 . Egg wh i t es m us t be in d iv i d ua l ly a n d ca r ef ul l y se pa ra te d . T his iso la te s p ro b le ms wi t h o u t s p oi lin g pr ev io u sl y sepa r a t e d e gg s . 2 . Re m ove a l l co n t a mi n a t ion o f yo l k, s t r i n gy ti ss ue , bl o od o r sh el l f ro m t he e gg wh i t es . 3 . D iss ol ve a m m on i u m c h lo ri d e in t he di s ti ll ed wa te r a n d a d d gla cia l a c et i c a c id . 4 . A dd to e gg wh i t es . 5 . Bea t t hi s so l u ti on u n ti l a l l t h e so l u ti on is c on v e r te d t o fr o t h . 6 . L et t he s ol u t ion s i t fo r 2 4 h o u rs i n t he re f ri ge ra to r . 7 . B rin g t o ro o m t e m p era t u r e . 8 . St r a in t ho u g h m u sl i n o r c hee se cl o t h t o re m ov e fo a m . 9 . Cov e r a n d re f ri ge ra t e f o r 1 wee k to f e r m en t . 250 ml ( approx 8 1 0 ml 4 gm 0.5 ml

Bea t in g t he eg g wh i te b rea ks do wn t h e a lb u m en in t o a un if o r m c on s is ten c y . T he sa l t a n d t he a ci d a s sis t wi t h fe r men t in g t he a l b u men s ol u t io n . T h e e a se of coa t in g in c re a ses a s t h e a l b u men a ges . T he s il ve r n i t ra t e c oa tin g se ts o r c oa gu la te s t h e f i rs t coa t in g of a l b u m en . A se con d coa t in g o f a l b u men wi l l in c re a se t he s u r fa ce gl oss gi vin g a n ex t ra b ri ll ia n ce . U n f o rt u n a tel y t hi s sec on d c oa tin g w ill s of t en t h e fi r st coa t of a l b u m en . Ha rd en in g is t h e re fo re n e ces sa r y be f o re a p pl y in g a se c on d coa t a n d c a n be a c h iev ed b y a n y of t he fol lo win g: o o St o ri n g t he fi r s t c oa t f o r a t lea s t f iv e m on t hs f o r i t t o slo wl y c u re . 25 Pla c in g in a ba t h of iso p r op y l a l co h ol 7 0 % fo r 1 5 sec on ds . T hi s c on s i st en tl y is t he m os t su c ces sf u l me t h o d wh en a pp l yi n g a s ec on d c oa tin g .

25

Ibid.p39

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o o

St ea min g t he s u rfa c e of t he fi r s t c oa tin g fo r 1 m in u te . Pla c in g a pie ce o f pa pe r ov e r t he s u rf a ce of t he d r y a lb u m en a n d u sin g a n i r on se t a t te m p e ra t u re be t we en si l k a n d c ot t on , t h en mo ve t he ir on e ven l y ove r t he pa pe r . 26

M a n y tex t s a d vi se t ha t 2 % a m mon i u m c hl o ri d e s ho u l d be a d de d to t he ba t h of is op r o p yl a l co h ol a s t he ba t h lea c h es t he c hl o ri de f r o m t h e f ir s t c oa tin g. T es ts ha ve p r ov ed t hi s is n ot n ece ssa r y .

If t h e coa t in g is un sa t is fa c t o r y wh en d r y i t ca n b e p la ce i n a t ra y of co ol wa te r . The a lb u m en wi ll sof ten a n d even t u a ll y wa s h off a n d on ce d r y , t he p a p e r ca n b e re coa t ed . I h a ve fo un d t his us ef u l w hen e xp en si ve ha n d ma de pa p e rs ha v e been us ed . ADVANTAGES OF ALBUMEN PRINTS: o T he i ma ge si t s on t he s u r fa ce o f t he pa pe r g iv in g t he a p pea ra n ce o f a g re a te r den s i t y ra n ge t h r o ug h t he re f ra c t io n of t he l ig h t . An a l b u men p rin t h a s a s li g h t s heen to glo ss y f in is h ed su r fa ce gi vi n g b r il li a n ce , a b sen t in sa l t ed pa p e r p r in ts .

U sin g a m m on i u m c h lo ri de in t h e a l b u me n s ol u t ion res u l ts i n t he co lo u r bein g 8 % to 1 0 % c oo le r t ha n us in g s o di u m c hl o ri de . B y a d din g 2 d ro ps of p o ta s si u m di c h r o ma te 5% s ol u ti on i n 3 0 m l of t he a l b u m en s ol u ti on wi ll : o o In c rea s e t h e c on t ra s t o f y o u r p r in t. In c rea s e ex po s u re t i me .

S I L V E R N I TR A T E S E N S I TI S E R S I L V E R N I TR A TE I S P O I S O N O U S
I T IS A N O X ID IZ I NG A GE N T , CAN CA USE SE R IO U S PE R MA NE N T D A M A GE TO E YE S . WEAR GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION.

J a m e s , C . ( 2 0 0 2 ) T h e B o o k o f A lt e r n at i v e P h o t o g r a p h i c P r o c e s s e s , D e l m ar , N e w York.p267
26

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T he si lv e r n i t ra te sen si t is in g s ol u t io n m us t be ma de u sin g di s til le d o r de -i o n iz ed wa te r . Si lv e r n i t ra te rea c t s wi t h c hl o ri de a n d a n y ha r d wa te r ion s s u c h a s ca r b on a tes t ha t ma y exis t in ta p wa te r su p pl ies . T h e re s ul t o f c on ta min a t ion is a cl o u dy wh i t e p re ci pi ta t e of s i lve r c h lo r id e a n d s i lve r ca r bon a t e. T hi s de p ri ves t h e s il ve r n it ra t e o f i t s s t ren gt h , ma k in g sen si t isin g t he pa pe r le ss ef fe c t ive . 27

SILVER NITRATE SENSITISING FORMULA

D is ti lle d o r de - min e ra li ze d wa te r Sil ve r n i t ra t e M e th o d: 1. 2. 3. P u t on g lo ves a n d e ye p ro te c ti on . A dd t he s il ve r n i t ra te to t he di s til le d wa te r . St o re in a b ro wn gla ss b o t tle . 5 0 ml 6 gm

Sil ve r n i t r a t e is n ot sen s i ti ve to l ig h t un l ess t he re is a n oxi da n t p resen t . M ixin g s ma l l a mo un ts of si lv e r n i t ra te sol u t ion re d u ces t h e ri s k of con ta m in a t ion t h ro u g h u sa g e .

If us in g t he gla ss r od me t h o d , t he a b o ve so l u ti on wi l l c oa t 2 0 to 2 5 s hee t s of pa pe r f o r 8x 1 0 in c h p rin t s . M o r e so l u ti on is us ed f o r t h e b r us h me t h o d , de pen din g on t he b r us h ty p e a n d si ze. Inc re a se Si l ve r Ni t r ate Pe rc e n tag e : S m a ll in c rea se s in t he pe r cen ta ge o f sil ve r n i t ra te in t h e so l u t ion ca n be ben efi c ia l in p rin t in g l o w c on t ra st n e ga ti ves . A s t h e pe rc en ta g e in c r ea s es b ron z in g a f fe c ts t h e s ha d o w r eg ion s a n d y el lo wi n g in t he hi g hl ig h t s wi l l b egi n to s p oi l t he p rin t s t on a l ra n g e .

27

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , USA.

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THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE SILVER NITRATE: o 1 5 % in c rea s es t he con t ra s t . T he co lo u r i s c oo le r a n d sh o ws so m e l oss of de ta il in t h e s ha do ws . T he hi g hl ig h t de ta il is m o re a pp a r en t . T he p rin t is s ti ll a c ce p ta b le. 2 0 % c re a t es f u r t h e r i n c rea se in t he con t ra st a n d a fu r t h e r lo ss o f de t a il in t he s ha d o ws . T he re is so m e b ron z in g a n d m o re de ta il in t he hi g hl ig h ts . 3 0 % in c rea se s t h e c on t ra s t , a l lo win g l i t tl e de ta i l in t he sha d o ws . B r on zin g be co m es o bv io u s a n d t h e re is le ss de ta il in t h e hi g hl ig h ts . T he h ig h li g h ts ma y be c o me ye ll o w.

De c r e a se Si l ve r Ni t ra te Pe rc en t ag e: A sm a ll r ed u c t ion in t he pe r cen ta ge of si lv e r n i t ra te in t h e s o lu t ion ma y s ho w s o me ben e fi t s in p rin t in g h ig h con t ra s t n e ga t ive s . As t h e p e rc en t a ge be co m es s ma ll er t h i s ma y res u l t in wea k in e ff ec t ive p rin t s . THE EFFECT OF DECREASING SILVER NITRATE: o o o 1 0 % de c re a ses t he con t ra s t a n d t he p rin t a pp ea rs wa r m e r in c ol o u r . T he p rin t ma y be s t ill sa t isfa c t o ry . 5 % t he p r in t beg in s to lo se h ig h li g h t de ta il b u t ga in s sha d o w d e ta i l a n d i n c rea s es t he wa r m t h o f t h e c ol o u r. 1 % s h o ws li t t le de ta i l in t he h ig h li g h ts a n d t he m i d to n es de c rea se in c on t ra s t . T h e s ha do w de ta il is wea k . Sp o ts de sc r i be d a s mea sle s m a y a p pea r a f te r s o me ti m e.

T he li g h t sen s i ti ve su bs ta n ce in sa l t a n d a l b u men p a p er i s sil ve r c h lo r i de . Si l ve r c h lo r id e is in s ol u bl e in wa t e r . S o di u m c hl o ri de so l u ti on is c oa te d on t he pa pe r fo ll o we d b y t h e s i lve r n it r a t e so l u ti on t h us c rea ti n g si lv e r ch lo r i de a n d so d iu m n it r a t e. So di u m n i t ra te i s so l u ble a n d is wa s he d a wa y d u ri n g t he p r oc ess in g . I f t he c h lo r id e a n d t he sil ve r n i t ra te a r e e q ua l or si m ila r c h e m ica l eq u iv a len t , lig h t sen si ti vi t y is d ra ma t ica ll y re d u c ed . Ex ce ss s il ve r n it r a t e a l lo ws m o re me ta ll i c sil ve r to b e fo r me d in t he p r i n t , t h u s in c r ea s in g t he den s i t y. T he c i t ri c a ci d a d de d to t he s il ve r n it r a t e so l u ti on c r ea t es sil ve r c i t ra te , in c re a sin g s pe ed a n d wa r m in g t he c ol o u r ton es. 28

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr ac t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 4
28

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SILVER NITRATE FORMULA WITH CITRIC ACID

D is ti lle d o r de - min e ra li ze d wa te r Sil ve r n i t ra t e Ci t ri c A c id M et h o d: 1 . P u t on g lo ves a n d e ye p ro te c ti on . 2 . A dd t he s il ve r n i t ra te to t he di s til le d wa te r . 3 . A dd t he ci t r ic a ci d . 4 . St o re in a b ro wn gla ss b o t tle . M ixin g s m a l l a m o u n ts o f s il ve r n i t ra t e s ol u ti on r ed u ce s t he ri s k of con ta m in a t i on t h r o ug h usa ge . 5 0 ml 6 gm 0.75 gm

A high percentage of citric acid can cause bronzing as it increases the speed the silver citrate and silver chloride conversion to metallic silver.

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Sa l t a n d Sil ve r Fo r m u la s

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C HAPTER 5
5. T H E P AP E R
S a l t pr i n t i ng br i ng s yo u i n to uc h w i t h t he a n c i en t c r a f t o f p a p er m a k i ng . A b as i c un d ers t a n d i n g o f t he s tr u c t u re a n d te x t u res o f p a p ers w il l p ro vi d e an o t h e r to o l to co n t ro ll i ng t he co lo ur a n d t he f i n a l lo o k o f yo u r pr i n t . T he re a re m a n y p a p ers t h a t w i l l no t w o rk w it h t h is pro c es s . T he re fo re y o u a re l i m i te d to us i ng q u a li t y 1 0 0 % r a g co t to n w a te r co lo ur p a pe rs . T h is c h a p te r e x p l ai ns w h y a n d o f fe rs s o m e s ugg es tio n o n v a r io us p a p ers to tes t . T he Bo o k o f F i n e P a pe rs b y S i lv i e T ur ne r is a b ri l l i a n t bo o k o n t h e h is to ry o f p a p er as w el l as a w o r l d w ide gu i d e o n f i ne p a pe rs a n d p a p er m i l ls .

1 0 0 % c o tt on p a p e r is t he p u re s t f o r m o f ce ll u lo se of f er in g hi g h s t ren g t h a n d t he l on g es t li fe o f a ll pa pe r s. 29 Co t ton is a sta b le ba s e fo r t h e si lv e r n i tr a te so lu t ion t he re fo r e m o re p re di c ta bl e in i ts re sp on s e t h ro u g h t he p r oc ess . Si zin g is a d de d to p r ev e n t s ol u ti on s f r o m s oa ki n g to o dee p ly in t o t he pa pe r t h us ma kin g t he c oa ti n g mo r e un if o r m . T he f ib r e s in pa pe r a r e ma de u p of s ho r t e r co t t on lin te rs o r c o t ton r a g s . Ra gs f i b res a re lon ge r a n d s t ron ge r b u t les s co m m on l y u s ed . 30 U n de r st a n d in g t h e c ha ra c te ri s ti cs of pa pe rs , t he i r l ife a n d be ha vi o u r is o f g rea t va l ue wh en c ho os i n g pa pe rs . 31

P AP E R M A N U F A C TU R I N G
Fa b r ia n o in t r o d uc ed wa te r ma r k s in 1 2 7 2 . A c tin g a s re c ogn i ti on of t he ma ke r , t h ey p r o mo t e a n a ss u m p ti on o f q ua li t y. Wa t e r ma r ks a re n o r ma ll y cl ose t o t h e edg e o f t h e pa pe r a n d rea d r ig h t f r o m t h e to p s i de. Pa pe r m a kin g ca n b e di vi de d in to t he t h re e f ol lo win g gr o u ps ; ha n d ma de , mo u l d m a de a n d ma c h in e ma de .

29

T u r n e r , S . ( 1 9 9 8 ) T h e B o o k o f F i n e P a pe r s , T h am e s a n d H u d s o n I n c , N e w Y o r k . p 1 6 2 Ibid.p21 Ibid.p19

30

31

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l |

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TYPE
HAND-MADE

A D V A N TA G E S
Handcrafted cotton or linen individual sheets, little grain so therefore stronger. Quality is consistent, less expensive than handmade, wide variety and easily available. Most watercolour rag papers are made on a mould in the form of a cylinder Cheap and readily available.

D I S A D V A N T AG E S
Expensive, unknown purity and irregular sizes.

CYLINDER MOULD MADE

MACHINE-MADE

O wi n g t o t h e w i d e v a r i e t y it requires research to understand the various types suitable for salt printing. Grain is laid in one direction therefore not as strong as handmade papers Av o i d f o r i m a g e m a k i n g . I t is a major problem for longevity as it is usually f r o m wo o d p u l p , l i g n i n bleaches and other additives that contribute t o a c h e m i c a l b r e a k d o wn in the paper.

A D D I TI V E S T O P A P E R
1 . S i zin g . Si zin g i s a d de d to in c rea s e su r fa ce s t r en g t h a n d re sis t s t he pen e t ra ti on o f so l u ti on s i n t o t he fi b res of t he pa pe r . Ge la tin a n d s ta r c h a re t he m os t c o m mon t y pe s of si z in g su i ta ble fo r sa l t p rin t in g . Al k yl - ke t en e - di m e r ( A K D ) i s a syn t he t i c a r c h iva l i n te rn a l si zi n g a gen t whi c h a l lo ws t h e p a pe r to re m a in n e u t ra l p H. A q ua p el i s on e of t he t ra de n a me s fo r t hi s hy d r op h o bi c o r wa te r re pe llen t si zin g . Ge la tin e si zin g c rea te s a c oo le r to n e in t he p a p e r. 32 A wa r m e r c ol o u re d sa l t p rin t i s fo r m e d u sin g s ta r c h s iz in g . Wa y s of s i zin g: o S u rfa ce si z in g a ls o ca l le d t u b si z in g . T he d ry f in i s he d s h e et is i m m e rs ed in a b a t h of h o t gela t in fo r m in g a s kin o ve r t he pa pe r s u r fa ce a n d ha r den e d . T his is a pe r fe c t s u r fa ce f o r sa l t p r in tin g.

32

Ibid. p133

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er

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In te rn a l si z in g is k n o wn a s b ea te r o r ma c hi n e . T he si z in g is a d de d t o t he p r o ces s be fo re t he f o r ma t i on of t he s h ee ts . 33

2 . Fil le rs a n d loa d in gs . M in e ra l pi g me n ts b in d t he f i b r es to ge t he r , f il lin g be t we en t h e ga ps c r ea t in g den s e r s hee ts . 34 T hese in cl u de c a l c iu m ca r bon a te (a c i d b uf fe r ), C hi n a c la y ( ka o lin ) , t i ta n i u m d iox id e a n d o p ti ca l b ri g h ten e r s. Av oi d t h ese a s t h e y rea c t wi t h t he si lve r n i t ra te be fo re ex pos u r e, c re a tin g c he m ica l f ogg in g . 3 . Wa t e rlea f . A te r m fo r n o s i zin g a n d t h e ref o re ve r y a bs o r ben t. I t is p r ob le ma t ic fo r sa l t pr in tin g c re a t in g fla t p rin t s a n d u n ev en co lo u r d ue t o t he hi g h a n d in c on si s ten t a bs o r pt io n ra t es o f t he s ol u t ion s.

SURFACE FINISHING
o Ro u g h. In h a n d ma de p a p e rs i t is a i r dr ie d c rea t in g a r o ug h te x t u re d s u r fa c e . In mo u l d ma de , a r o ug h fel t ma ke s t h e r o ug h s u rf a c e . 35 NO T . C ol d p re sse d wh i c h m ea n s i t is n ot h o t p ress e d a n d is ha l f- wa y be t we en ro u g h a n d ho t p res s wi t h a tex t u re d fin i s h Ho t P r ess . A s m oo t h fi n is h us in g ho t r oll e rs o r p r ess ed t h ro u g h c ol d po lis h ed me ta l r ol le rs .

WEIGHT AND DENSITY

T hi c kn es s o r we ig h t is r efe r r ed to a s gra m s pe r s q ua re me t r e (gs m ) . 2 8 0 gs m to 3 0 0 gs m is i dea l fo r sa l t p rin t in g b u t wi t h ca re l ig h te r we ig h t s c a n be us ed . Den si t y re la tes t o h o w we ll t he pa pe r i s b on d ed . Den se pa pe r wi l l ex pa n d a n d c on t ra c t a s a wh o le a n d i ts ten de n c y t o c u r l is n o t a s g rea t . Pa pe r wil l c u rl mo r e wh en d en se r fi b re s a r e on t he to p s i de o f a she e t . T he s pe ed o f ex pa n s ion a n d con t ra c t ion a re t he r efo re a t di ffe r en t ra te s. 36

33

Ibid. p24 Ibid. p25 Ibid. p28 Ibid. p35

34

35

36

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CARE OF PAPER
o Ha n dle a s li t t le a s p oss ib le a n d b y t he e dge s , i dea ll y use wh i t e c o t ton gl ove s. A v oi d c re a sin g t h e pa pe r . St o re f la t . Ro lle d pa pe r o ve r t i me c r ea t es a me m o r y wh i c h ma k es t he pa pe r dif fi c u l t t o fla t t en o u t. Re m ove ma r ks ca r ef ul l y wi t h a so f t b r u s h o r e ra s e r. D is t u r b in g t h e s u r fa c e of t h e pa p e r ma ke s i t m o re a bs o r ben t a n d ma y re m ov e t he si z in g . St a in s m a y a p pea r in t he se a rea s .

PAPERS FOR SALT PRINTING:

Pa pe rs s u it a b le f o r sa lt p rin t in g ha ve a rig h t a n d wr on g si de d ue to t he s u r fa ce s iz in g a n d t h e fin is h in g . o T he pa pe r c h oi ce wi l l a ffe c t t h e co l o u r, c on t ra s t a n d to n a l se pa ra t ion of yo u r i ma ge . Te m pe ra t u re a n d h u m id i t y wi ll a ffe c t t h e a bso r p t ion ra te of t he so l u ti on s. To u c hin g t he pa pe r s u rfa ce in t he i ma ge a re a wi l l l ea v e oil s a n d sa l t f r o m yo u r s k in a n d ma y ca use s ta in i n g in t he f in a l p rin t . S mo o t h, ha r de r f in is he d s u r fa ce s i ze d pa pe r s gi ve a sha r pe r , m or e b r il li a n t i m a ge . So l ut io n s sin k in t o po ro u s pa pe r . T h e im a ge a p pea rs sof t er , c rea tin g a d ul l ma t t a p pe a r a n c e .

Tex t u re d p a p e rs a re m or e d iff i c ul t to coa t . T h is ca n be ove r c o me b y us in g a b r us h to a p pl y t h e so l u ti on . T he tex t u re re f ra c t s t h e li g h t , fl a t ten in g t he i m a ge a p pea ra n ce . L is te d b el o w a re pa pe rs I ha v e u se d , in o r de r o f p r efe r en c e . 1 . BE RGG ER CO T 3 2 0 M O U L D M A DE 3 2 0 g sm HP ( F ren c h) . 1 0 0 % co t t on un - b uf fe re d a n d s u rfa ce s iz e d wi t h gela t in . M a de on a c yl in de r m o ul d , t hi s pa pe r wa s c re a te d sp ec if ic a ll y f o r pla t in u m p rin t in g . I t is e x ten s ive l y use d f o r o t h e r a lt e rn a ti ve p ho t og r a p hi c p ro ce sses a s it is a ci d- f ree , ha s n o op t ic a l b rig h t en e rs a n d is Ne u t ra l p H . A dva n ta ges : I t ho l ds t he t on es be t te r t ha n a l l o t he r pa pe rs te st e d t o da t e. T h e sa l t p r in t is a co ol dee p b ro wn co lo u r a n d is c on s is ten t in it s pe rf o r ma n ce a n d q u a li t y. T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er
2 9

D isa dva n ta ges : T h is pa p e r is a l it t le m o re ex pe n si ve . 2 . TAL BO T HA N DM A DE 2 4 0 gs m 1 0 0% (F r e n c h ), 1 0 0 % lon g f i b re co t t on , ma t t fin is h a n d s u rf a c e s iz e d wi t h ge la tin . S hee ts a re p re sse d sev e ra l ti me s in b o t h wet a n d d r y s ta t e t o m in i m ise po r os i ty . A dva n ta ges . I t h el d t he ton es in bo t h hi g h li g ht a n d s ha d o ws sh o wi n g 1 8 s te ps . Th e sa l t p rin t i s wa r m dee p re d b r o wn co lo u r a n d is con si s ten t in pe r fo r ma n ce a n d q ua li t y . D isa dva n ta ges . T h e re a re s o me in t r in si c in con sis t en c ies i n t he pa pe r ; b u t t hi s is e xpe c te d wi t h ha n d ma de pa pe rs . T h is pa pe r is a li t t le m o re e xp e n siv e . 3 . ARC HE S PL AT I N E M O U L D M A DE ( F ren c h ) 3 1 0 g s m H P 1 0 0 % co t t on . It is un - b uf fe re d a n d s u rfa c e si ze d wi t h s ta r c h . Ac i d- f ree wi t h n o op t ic a l b ri g h ten e r s a n d is N e u t ra l p H. M a de a t t he A r c hes m il l in F ra n ce on a c yl in d e r mo u ld , t hi s pa pe r wa s c rea t ed spe c ifi ca ll y f o r pla tin u m p r in t in g. I t i s a lso ex te n si ve ly u sed f o r o t he r a l te rn a t ive p ho t og ra p h ic p ro ce sse s. A dva n ta ge s : H ol ds t he ton es ex t re me l y wel l a n d i s c on si s t en t in i ts p e rf o r ma n ce q ua l i t y , a n d is u s ua ll y a va ila bl e . D isa dva n ta ges : pa pe rs . This pa pe r is m o re exp en si ve t ha n o t he r

4 . FA BR I A NO A RT I ST IC O M O U L D M A DE ( I ta l ia n ) 3 0 0gs m H P 1 0 0 % co t t on . I t is un - b uf fe re d a n d s u rf a c ed si ze d , a l so a va ila b l e in a r o ug h s u r fa c e whe r e be s t r es ul t a re a c hi ev ed b y b r us h in g t he c oa t in g on . A dva n ta ges : T he s u rf a c e s i zin g h ol d s t he t on e s we ll . I t is in ex pen s iv e a n d rea di l y a va i la bl e . D isa dva n ta ges : T he pa pe r is q u i te wa r m in co lo u r s o t he hi g hl ig h t s a re n o t a s c lea n a s t h e p rev i o us pa pe rs . O c ca s io n a l p ro b le ms f o un d wi t h q ua l i ty in c on s is te n ci es . 5 . BU XTO N HA N DM A DE PL A T I NO T YP E 2 4 0 gs m 1 0 0% c ot t on H P un -b u f f er e d in te rn a ll y si ze d wi t h Al k y l - ke ten e - di m e r ( A K D ) a syn t he t i c a rc h iva l in t e rn a l s i zin g a ge n t , t his h y d ro p h o bi c o r wa te r re pel len t s iz in g . P r o d uc ed in R us c o m be M i ll F ra n c e , it wa s de vel o pe d i n co lla b o ra ti on wi t h D r M i ke Wa re fo r pla t in u m p r in tin g .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er

3 0

A dva n ta ges :

C ol o u r

M id

ton e s

se pa r a te d

we l l.

T h is

p a p er

w o rke d ex t re m e ly w el l fo r al b u m e n pr i n t i ng g i vi n g t h e f i nes t res u l t o f a l l p a p e rs a n d s ur f a c es t es te d w it h t h is fo r m u l a . D isa dva n ta ges : W he n a p p ly in g t he si l ve r n i t ra te so l u ti o n t o t he sa l t t he A K D c rea t ed a c h e mi ca l fog wh i c h re d u ce d t he hi g hl ig h t s a n d f la t ten ed t he s ha d o w reg ion s a li t t le. T his pa pe r n ee d to b e we ll se c u re d wh i le c oa tin g , d ue t o t he li g h te r we ig h t i t wi l l c u r l w hen m oi st u r e is a p p lie d . OTHER PAPERS TRIED : o SAU N D ER S WA TE RF O R D (En gl is h ) 3 0 0 gs m HP 1 0 0 % co t t on un - b uf fe re d , in te r n a ll y a n d s u rf a c e si ze d wi t h gela t in e . A ve ra g e p ri ce ra n ge ho ld s t on es we ll , ha s a ve r y wa r m to n a l r a n ge . L os es t he hi g hl ig h t s t o t he wa r m t on es of t he pa pe r. Al so a va i la bl e in 1 5 0g s m a lig h t l y tex t u re d s u r fa c e . wh i c h s ho w a m in o r fla t ten in g of t he i ma ge . R IS I NG S TO NE HE NG E M A CH I N E M A DE ( En gl is h ) 2 4 5 gs m NO T 1 0 0% c o t ton , b uf fe re d wi t h ca lc i u m ca r bon a t e. In ex p en si ve pa pe r . The c a l ci u m ca r bon a t e is p ro b le ma ti c wi t h t he sen s i ti vi t y of si lve r n i t ra te . T h is pa pe r is a bs o r ben t , c rea ti n g a d u ll p rin t . AR CHE S AQ U A REL L E M O U L D M A D E (F r e n c h ) 3 0 0 gs m H P 1 0 0 % c ot t on un - b uf fe re d, in t e rn a l l y a n d s u rfa ce s iz ed wi t h ge la tin e . G iv es a r ea s on a ble t on a l ra n ge wi t h pl ea sa n t wa r m t on es. M o r e e x pe n si v e t ha n F a b r ia n o A r tis t i co . FA BR I A NO T IE PE L O M O U L D M A DE Wa t e r co lo u r ( I ta l ia n ) 2 9 0 g s m 1 0 0 % co t to n in te r n a l ly s i ze d . A wel l p r ic e d, ve r y so f t s u rfa ce d p a pe r wi t h a hi g h a bs o rp t ion ra te , un s u i ta ble fo r pla in sa l te d p ri n ts b u t i m p ro ve s wi t h a gela t in b in de r a n d e xt ra s iz in g . L A NAQ U AL L E M O U L D M A DE , 3 0 0gs m HP , 1 0 0 % un -b u ff er e d, i n t e rn a l & ex t e rn a l l y si z ed . We ll b u t res u l ts ha ve be en d isa p po in tin g re su l tin g in p rin t s d ue t o t he u n even a b so r p ti on , e ven wi t h in t he s a l t s ol u ti on . c o t ton , p ri ce d, b lo t c h y bin de r s

CR A NE S D I PL O M A PA RC HM E N T (U S A) ( re pla ce m en t f or Cra n es P la tin o t yp e) M A CH I NE M A D E 1 7 7g s m H P 1 0 0 % co t t on R osin & A l u m s iz ed .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er

3 1

CR A NE K I D F I NI S H (U SA ) gs m 1 4 0 1 0 0 % co t t on un p res se d L ig h t we ig h t n ee ds ca re f ul ha n d lin g c oa ti n g a n d in p r oc ess in g ba t hs .

ADDING SIZING TO PAPER

M a n y pa pe rs a re s i ze d d u r in g ma n u fa c t u rin g a n d bin de r s a ct a s si zin g , h o we ve r t he re a r e s ti ll t he f oll o wi n g a dv a n ta ge s in p re - si zi n g o r res i zi n g t he pa pe r bef o re c oa ti n g . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. U sin g po r o us pa pe r s t ha t a re n o t p re - si ze d. A dd in g a n ex t ra f in i sh t o t he s u r fa ce . U sin g pa pe rs t ha t a r e hi g hl y tex t u r ed . T he d if fe ren t s iz in g t yp es a l lo w c on t r ol o f t h e c ol o u r. U sin g di ffe r en t t y pe s of s u r fa c es .

T he si z in g c a n be : o o o Ge la t in . Gela t in ha r de n e d wi t h g ly oxa l . A r ro wr o o t .

GELATIN SIZING
D is ti lle d Wa t e r Gela t in D is ti lle d Wa t e r M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A dd 1 0 0 ml of t he wa te r to t he gela t in . Al lo w t o b lo o m (s we ll ) fo r 2 0 min u t es a t ro o m te m pe ra t u re . A dd t he 9 0 0 m l of t h e wa te r . Hea t to 6 0 C. Po u r s ol u ti on in to a wa r m t ra y . Si t t h is t ra y in s id e a la rg e r t ra y fi ll ed wi t h h o t wa te r to ma in ta in a te m pe ra t u re of a t lea s t 2 0 C. 6 . A dd s h ee ts o f pa pe r on e a t a ti m e. 7 . S h uff le t h e s he e ts fo r a t lea s t 3 m i n u te s a n d u p to 5 m in u tes . 8 . Re m ove s hee ts on e a t a ti m e, a n d pl a ce on a fi r m fla t su r fa ce . 9 . U sin g a g la ss ro d si m ila r in s i ze t o t he pa pe r , g en tl y sq ue ez e t h e ex ces s sol u t ion do wn a n d off t he e d ge o f t h e pa pe r . 1 0 . Ha n g to d r y. If t he so l u ti on c oo ls b el o w 2 0 C, i t wi l l n o t coa t e ven l y . A sec on d c oa t of gela t in wi l l a ss is t wi t h r o ug h tex t u re d s u r fa ces . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er
3 2

1 0 0 ml 30 gm 9 0 0 ml

H A R D E N I N G TH E G E L A TI N S I Z I N G :

Ch e mi ca ls us ed f o r ha r den in g gel a tin a re gen e ra ll y d a n ge r o us . O n ly use t h e m i f yo u fin d t he u n ha rd en ed gela t in s i zin g is n o t a de q ua te . A vo i d fo r ma ld e h yd e! If y o u d o no t ha ve ac c e s s to a f u m e c up b oa rd , wea r r u b be r g l o ve s, g a s m a sk a nd e y e pr o tec ti on .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er

3 3

GLYOXAL HARDENING FORMULA

Wa t e r Gl yox a l 4 0% M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. P u t on ma s k , gl o ves a n d ey e p r o te c ti on . A dd t he g l yox a l to t he wa t er . A dd t he s o di u m ca r bon a t e. Pla ce t he s h ee ts in ba t h . Ca r e f u ll y s h uf fl e t h e s h ee ts f o r 1 0 m in u te s . Re m ove a n d p la ce in a fr es h wa te r ba t h to re m ov e ex ces s ha r den e r . 37 7 . W a s h fo r 2 0 m in u te s c ha n g in g wa t e r a b o u t e ve r y 5 min u te s . 8 . Ha n g to d r y in a wel l ven ti la te d ro o m . 1 0 0 0 ml 5 0 ml

T he a d di ti on of so di u m ca r b on a te c re a te s a n a l ka lin e b a t h t o a ssi st t he b in din g b et we en si zin g a n d h a r d e n e r a s t he h ig h p H ma x i m is es t he h a r den in g 38. T his wi ll c rea t e se ve r e c he m i cal fog gin g t h e ref o re i s o m i t te d f ro m t h e f o r m ula .

37

W a r e , M . ( 2 0 0 6 ) T h e C h r y s o t y p e M a n u a l, T h e C r o m w e l l P r e s s L t d , U K . p 4 7

W a l l s , H . J . a n d A t t r i d g e , G . G . ( 1 9 7 7 ) B as i c P h o t o S c i e n c e , h o w ph o t o g r ap h y w o r k s , Focal Press, London. p212.

38

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | T he Pa p er

3 4

C HAPTER 6
6. C O AT I NG
TH E

P AP E R

O ne o f t he o r ig i n a l m et ho ds us e d to co a t p a p er w as to fl o a t t h e s he e t o n t h e s u r f ac e o f a s o l u t io n i n a b a t h o r tr a y . A mo re co n tro l l e d m et ho d i s to us e a g l as s ro d a n d a s yr i ng e to a p p l y t he s o l u t io ns . T h e c o a t i ng is mo re ev e n a n d t h e r a t io be tw ee n t he s a l t a n d t h e s i l v er ni t r a te s o l u t io n i s mo r e co ns is t en t Coa tin g t h e pa pe r is b r o ken in t o t he foll o wi n g t h ree b a si c me t h o ds . 1 . Fl o ati ng or s u bm e rg i ng i n a s ol u ti o n Ba t h . T h e pa pe r ca n b e c o m pl ete l y s u b me r ge d o r t he e dg es o f t he pa pe r ca n be t u rn e d up t o r es em b le a b oa t flo a t in g on t h e s u rf a ce o f t h e so l u ti on . 2 . Bru s hi ng On . U s in g b r u s hes wi t h m e ta l pa r ts wi l l rea c t wi t h t he s il ve r n i t ra te s ol u t ion . S pon ge b r us he s a n d B uc k le b r us hes wo r k wel l . A B uc k le b r us h i s ma de b y t wis t in g co t t on w oo l in to a tes t t u be . 3 . Dr ag g i n g o r pu s hi ng t he s ol u ti o n . G la ss ro ds , a ls o kn o w a s p ud d le p u s he r s o r c h e mi ca l p u sh e rs , p us h t he sol u t ion ev en l y a c r oss t h e pa pe r , b y mea s u rin g t he sol u t ion o u t wi t h a sy r in ge t h is coa tin g s ys t e m i s ec on o m i c, fa s t a n d p re ci se.

ADVANTAGES Floa t in g
Often stated as an even way of coating the paper.

DISADVANTAGES
More solution is used therefore, longer drying time. The quantity of solution absorbed into the paper is inexact. Even coatings can be difficult. Brushes for the silver nitrate solution become contaminated when coating the salted paper and need careful washing, or to be replaced. The rod needs to match the negative size; a flat firm surface is required for coating. The glass rods are breakable.
3 5

B r us h in g

Relatively fast, easy method. Sponge brushes are cheap and easily obtained. Brushes for salt can be reused. Economic, precise, fast and easy method. Glass rods are reusable, easily washed leaving no chemical trace. Inexpensive.

P us h in g

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | C oa ti n g t he Pa p er

P R E P A R I N G TH E P A P E R
Cu t o r tea r t he pa p er a bo u t 5 0 m m ( 2 i n c hes ) wi de r t ha n yo u r n e ga ti ve o r i ma ge si ze . T he ex t ra wi d t h m a kes ha n dl in g t h e pa pe r ea sie r t o a v oi d to u c hin g t he i m a ge a rea . M a ke s u re t he wa te r m a rk i s n o t i n t he i m a ge a r ea . Al lo w r o o m fo r t he st ep we dg e. M a r k o u t t h e i m a ge si ze a n d n o te in pen c il on t h e ed ge o r on t he re ve rs e of t he pa pe r ( o u ts id e t h e i ma ge a rea ) t h e fo ll o wi n g : 1 . T he so l u ti on y o u a r e us in g . 2 . T he a mo un t of s ol u t ion ( if us in g a s y ri n ge) . T he ro d s ho u ld si t a t lea s t 2 0 m m in f r o m t he o u t e r e dge s of t he pa p e r . I f t h e s ol u ti on m ig ra t e s ov e r t h e e dg es a n d a bso r bs in t o t he re ve rse si de o f t he p a p e r i t wo u l d c rea te a p ro bl e m fo r t h e n ex t co a t. Silv e r n i t ra te so l u ti on a b so r bs un e ven l y t h ro u g h t he pa pe r , da r ke r s ta in s i den t if yin g wh e re sa l t sol u t ion h a s a bs o rb ed in to t he pa pe r s re ve rs e . A pa pe r to we l un de r t h e pa p e r a ll o ws s up p len e ss on t he pa pe r s u rf a c e ma k in g i t ea sie r to coa t e ven ly . Kee p in g t he pa pe r a n d t he so l u ti on a t r oo m t e m pe ra t u re m in i m ise s t he c u r li n g o r b u c k lin g o f t he pa p er a s t h e s ol u ti on is a pp li ed . St o p t he pa pe r m ov in g d u rin g a p p li ca ti on by ta p in g do wn t h e c o rn e rs to t he gla ss s u r fa c e o r pin to h ea v y ca r db oa r d. T he t a p e sh o ul d b e of t h e re m ova b le t y pe , n ot ma sk in g ta pe . U se a d u s t bl o we r to re m ove a n y pa r t ic les , h a i r o r d us t off t he s u r f a ce o f t h e pa pe r .

C O A TI N G L I G H T W E I G H T P AP E R S AN D F A B R I C :
L ig h t wei g h t pa pe r ma ke s i t di ff ic u l t t o coa t e ven l y d ue t o t he pa pe r b uc k lin g. T h e fo ll o win g me t h o d i s u se f ul a l so when coa t in g la r ge r p r in ts a n d fa b ri c. T h e foll o wi n g me t h od of st re t c h in g o ve r co m es t h ese p ro bl e ms . 1 . L ea ve p len t y o f s pa ce a r o un d t he i m a g e t o a l lo w f o r t he ta pin g d o wn of t he pa pe r . Pa pe r bo r de r s sh o ul d be a bo u t 7 5 m m la r ge r t ha n t he n e ga ti ve . 2 . Soa k t he pa p e r in wa r m wa te r fo r 5 min u te s. 3 . Re m ove f ro m t ra y a n d a l lo w t he wa t e r to d ri p ba c k in to t he t ra y f or a f e w m o men ts . 4 . Pla ce on a g la ss s u rf a c e la r ge r t ha n t he pa pe r a n d bl o t d r y wi t h c o t to n t o wels . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | C oa ti n g t he Pa p er
3 6

5 . Ta p e d o wn a ll s id e s wi t h g u m m ed ta p e, t hen da b ov e r ca re f ull y a ga in wi t h c o t ton pa pe r to wel s. 6 . Wh en mo s t o f t h e da m pn e ss fin i s h d r y in g wi t h a ha i r d r ye r. is g on e

7 . L ea ve t h e pa pe r o n t he g la ss fo r b o t h of t he s ol u ti on c oa t in gs. S to r e in a d a r k o r di m lig h t pla ce wh e n d ry in g t he s en si t i ze d pa pe r . N B: F a b r i c s ho u l d b e 1 0 0 % c o t ton , wa s h a n d d r y be fo re u sin g to re m ove a n y si z in g e tc . I t is ea sie r t o su b m e rge t h e fa b ri c in t he sa lt s ol u t ion a n d t h en ta pe i t do wn . S il ve r n i t ra t e is a p pl ie d wh en d r ie d , b ut st il l t a p ed do wn , wi t h a s pon ge br us h .

S A L T C O A TI N G
T his ca n b e ca r r ie d o u t un de r n o r ma l l i gh t in g . Ro d me t h od of a p pl ica t ion f o r a n 8 x 1 0 in c h p rin t : 1. 2. D ra w u p 2 m l o f so l u ti on in t o t h e s y rin ge . 2 0 m m in f r o m t he ma r ke d i ma ge a rea g en t l y di sp en se a l l t he s ol u t ion on to t he pa pe r in a l in e , st o pp in g 2 0 m m f ro m pa pe r e dge . Gen tl y p la c e t he r od in t his l in e of fl u i d, wi t h ca r ef u l si de wa r d mo ve men ts a l lo w t he f l ui d to ev en l y d is pe r s e a lon g t h e f ul l len gt h o f t h e r o d . L if t t h e r o d ov e r t h e sol u t ion s o t he r od s i ts b e t ween t he pa pe r e dge a n d t he sol u t ion . P us h t h e s ol u t ion t o t he o t he r en d of t he p a p e r , a t l ea s t 2 0 m m be yon d t he i ma ge a rea . T he p us h s h o ul d b e a t a con s ta n t s mo o t h st ea d y r a t e wi t h ve r y li t t le p re ss u re . T h i s sh o ul d ta ke a bo u t t en s ec on ds . Ch ec k fo r un coa te d a r ea s , i m m e dia te l y d ra g t he s ol u t io n ba c k ov e r t h ese a re a s t o a vo i d u n ev en coa t in g . Aga in li ft t he r o d o ve r t he s ol u t ion so t he ro d si ts be t we e n t he pa pe r e dge a n d t he l on g po ol of s ol u ti on . Gen tl y p u s h t h e so l u ti on to t he o p p osi t e en d o f t h e pa pe r . If t he pa pe r is e ve n ly co ve re d wa it f o r 3 0 se c on ds wh i l e t he s ol u t ion a bs o r b s i n t o t he p a p e r.

3.

4. 5.

6.

7. 8. 9.

1 0 . T he re m us t be en o ug h s ol u ti on to c on tin ue p us h in g a t lea s t 4 mo re t i mes s m oo t h l y a c r oss t he pa pe r . 1 1 . T he re s ho u ld be n o p u d d l es o f so l ut i on o r a rea s w i tho u t co ve r ag e . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | C oa ti n g t he Pa p er

3 7

1 2 . An y ex ces s ca n b e re m ov ed gen t ly wit h a pa pe r t o we l , a vo id in g t he i ma ge a rea or h ol d t h e pa pe r b y a c o rn e r a n d a ll o w a n y e xc ess t o r un o ff . 1 3 . Ha n g o r la y t he pa p er so l u ti on si de u p to d r y . A ha i r d r ye r on t he wa r m se t tin g wil l s pee d u p t he p r oc ess . Kee p in g t he d r ye r 1 0 c m a wa y f r o m t h e pa pe r s u r fa c e. Wh en us in g a h ig he r pe r cen ta ge o f g el a ti n in t he sa l t so l u ti on en s u re t ha t t h e pa pe r a n d t h e so l u ti o n a re hea te d to a t lea s t 2 0 C t o 2 2 C . T hi s s t op s t he ge la t in se t tin g a n d d r a g g in g un e ven l y d o wn t he pa pe r . In c rea sin g t h e q ua n ti t y of f l ui d a p pl ie d to t he pa pe r e a ses t h i s p r o ble m . Fo r exa m p le , a 8x 1 0 i ma ge n o r ma ll y re q u i res 2 m l o f sol u t ion , t he re fo re i n c rea s e t h is to 3 ml . B r us h me t h o d of a p pl ic a t io n : P re pa re t he pa p e r t he sa m e wa y a s t h e sa l t c oa tin g. 1 . Po u r 2 0 ml o f sa l t so l u ti on in t o a di s h wi de en o u g h to a c co m m o da te t he br us h wi d t h . 2 . Al lo w t h e b r us h to a bs o rb t he m oi s t u re . 3 . Re m ove e xc ess o ff t he b r us h . 4 . Pa in t on t h e so l u ti o n by r un n in g t he b r us h u p a n d d o wn t h e pa pe r , ov e rla p pin g ea c h s t r o ke sl ig h t ly . 5 . En s u re t he re a re n o ga p s. 6 . T u rn t he pa pe r 4 5 a n d re pea t t he b r us h in g , re pea t t he t u rn i n g a n d c oa tin g a f u r t he r 2 ti me s . 7 . T he re s h o ul d b e n o p u dd les o r a r ea s n o t c ov e re d. 8 . Ho ld t he pa pe r b y a c o rn e r a n d a l lo w a n y ex ces s t o r un of f . 9. Ha n g to d r y h a n g o r pla ce t he p a p e r so l u ti on s id e u p .

1 0 . Yo u ca n u s e a ha i r d r ye r on t he wa r m se tt in g t o sp ee d up t he d r yin g , ke ep in g t he d r ye r a t lea s t 1 0 c m f r o m t h e pa pe r su r fa ce .

Al lo w t h e s ol u ti on to soa k in be fo re u sin g wa r m a i r t o d r y a s t hi s wil l gi ve a mo re con sis te n t e ven su r fa ce . Exc ess iv e hea t wh i le s t il l q u i te d a m p wi ll d r y t h e sa l t on t he s u r fa ce lea vin g sa l t c r ys ta l p a t c h es . T he sa l te d pa pe r wi l l ke e p in def in i te ly . M a ke s u re t he p a pe r i s c o m ple t el y d r y b ef or e a d d in g t he sen si t ise r .

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A L B U M E N C O A TI N G
Al b u men is n o t a s ea sy to co a t a s pla in sa l t . B ub b les a n d lu m p s c re a t e da r k s po t s a n d ci r cl es . U n even s t rea k s wil l s h o w a s di ff e rin g den si ti es in t h e fin a l p r in t . o In c rea s e t he a m o u n t of s o l u ti on y o u a p pl y . T he exce ss so l u ti on a l l o w s c on t ro l o ve r t he s mo o t hn e ss of t he c oa tin g . A dd in g 0 . 5 % o f we t t in g a g en t to t h e a l b u men so l u ti on t he o re ti ca ll y re d u c es a i r b u b ble s on t he s u rfa ce of t he pa pe r a n d f o r ms s mo o t he r coa t i n gs . 39 I fo un d t he re wa s n o t a sign if ica n t d iff e re n ce wi t h t h e we t t in g a gen t . Re m ove a n y e xc ess a lb u m en a r o un d t he ed ges o f t h e p rin t ; t he e xc ess fo r ms h a r d l u m ps t ha t ma ke i t di ff ic u l t to m ove t he r od even l y a c r o ss t h e pa p e r wh e n a p pl y in g t he s ilv e r n i t ra te s ol u t io n .

S Y R I N G E : I f 2 m l is u sed on a n 8 x 1 0 sa lt p rin t , in c rea s e t hi s to 3 t o 3 . 5 ml of a lb u m en . M ove t he ro d sl o wl y a n d sm o o t hl y u p a n d d o wn t he pa pe r . W h en b u bb les a p pea r s to p c oa tin g a n d a l lo w t h e ex ces s t o r u n o ff t he pa pe r e dge b y h ol din g u p b y on e co rn e r . B R U S H I N G . A ll o w p l en t y o f s ol u t ion s o yo u ca n sl o wl y a n d gen tl y b r us h t he so l u ti on on t o t he pa p er . D R Y I N G . A bo u t a lb u m en . 3 0 C wi ll c re a te a glo ss ie r fin is h for th e

T he si lv e r n i t ra te c oa tin g se ts o r coa g u la t es t he f i rs t c oa ti n g so t he re i s n o n ee d to ha r den t h is un le s s a se c on d c oa t of a lb u m en is des i re d . H o we ve r a se con d coa t i n c r ea se s t he su r fa ce gl os s , t he re b y p r od u c in g a n ex t ra b ril lia n c e t o t h e a lb u m en p r in t. Ha r d en in g i s ess en tia l t o a v oi d s of ten in g t he fi rs t a l b u m en c oa t wh i le a p pl y in g t he s ec on d . T h e d r ie d a lb u m en is wa t e r so lu b le un ti l ha r de n e d wi t h : o o o Ti me Sil ve r n i t ra t e Al co h ol

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A .
39

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U n sen s i ti ze d a l b u m en wi l l s to re in d ef i n it el y in a n a i r t ig h t con ta in e r in co ol co n di t ion s wi t h rela t i vel y s ta bl e te m pe ra t u r e s a n d lo w r e la ti ve h u mi d it y .

S E N S I TI S I N G TH E P A P E R
Ea r lie r me t h o ds of sen si t is in g we re pe rf o r me d b y fl oa tin g t h e sa l te d pa pe r on t h e su r fa ce of a ba t h of si lve r n i t ra t e s ol u t i on . T his da ng e r ou s p ra c ti ce a n d wa s te f ul me t h o d a s i t c on s u me s la rge a mo u n t s of s i lve r n i t ra te . I s t r on gl y s ugg es t t h e re is n o phy si c al c on t ac t w i th si l v er ni tr a te . T he g la s s ro d a n d t he sy r in ge m e t ho d of coa t in g wi l l e va d e a ll co n t a c t wi t h t he sil ve r s ol u ti on . A s y rin ge ( wi th o ut t he needl e ) ma k e s it ea s y t o c on t ro l t he a m o un t o f si lve r n i t ra te s ol u t ion a p pl ie d. E ven t h o ug h t he r e is n o p h ys ic a l c on ta c t wi t h t he s il ve r n i t r a te yo u s t il l m u s t we a r p ro t ec t ive gl ove s. D o n o t t o u c h t h e s y rin ge ti p on t he s a lt e d pa pe r . T hi s wi ll con ta m in a te t he res t of t he s il ve r n i t ra te when d ra wi n g mo r e so l u ti on in to t he s y r in ge fo r t he n ex t p rin t . U se t he sa me q ua n ti t y of si lv e r n i t ra te so l u ti on a s t he sa l t sol u t ion . Fo r e xa m p le if 2 ml o f sa l t s o lu t ion wa s u se d, us e 2 m l of t he s il ve r n i t r a te s ol u t ion . To a pp l y t h e si lve r n it r a t e: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. En s u re sa l t ed pa pe r is co m p le te l y d r y . Ta ke a c lea n g la ss r od . P u t on g lo ves . Wo r kin g un de r lo w in ca n des cen t sol u t ion in to t he s y rin ge . l ig h tin g, d ra w t he

O n t he pa pe r 2 0 m m o u t f r o m wh e re t he i ma ge st a r t s gen tl y di sp en se a l l t h e so l u ti on on t o t h e pa p e r in a st ra ig h t l in e , s to p pi n g 2 0 m m in f ro m e dge . Pla ce t he r o d c a r ef ul l y on t he fl u i d a n d wi t h gen tle si de wa r d m o ve men ts a l lo w t he f l ui d t o ev en l y d is pe rs e a lon g t h e f ul l len gt h o f gla ss ro d . Po si ti on t he ro d be t we en t h e pa pe r e d g e a n d t he so l u ti on . D ra g t he so l u ti on t o t he o t he r en d of t he p a p e r a t lea s t 2 0 m m be y on d t he i ma ge a rea , b u t s t o p be fo re t he e d ge o f t h e pa pe r . T h e d ra g s h o ul d be a t a con sta n t s m oo t h s tea d y ra te , wi t h ve r y li t t l e p re ss u re . T h is s h o ul d ta ke a b o ut t en sec on ds . I f t h e r e a r e p a r t s o f t h e i m a g e n o t c o v e r e d b y t h e
solution immediately drag the solution back over this area to avoid an uneven coating.

6.

7. 8.

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9.

Aga in g en tl y l if t t h e r o d o ve r t he so l u ti on s o t he r o d s it s be t we en t h e pa pe r e dge a n d t he l on g po ol o f so l u ti on .

1 0 . Gen tl y p u s h t h e so l u ti on to t he o p p osi t e en d o f t h e pa pe r . 1 1 . If t h e p a p e r is even ly c ove r ed wa i t fo r 3 0 s ec on ds fo r t he sol u t ion t o a bs o r b i n t o t he pa pe r . 1 2 . T he re m us t en o ug h sol u ti on le f t on t h e pa pe r t o s m oo t hl y re pea t t he coa t in g a t lea s t 4 t i mes . 1 3 . En s u re t he re a re n o p u dd les of s ol u t ion o r un c oa te d a r ea s . 1 4 . An y ex ces s ca n be re m ov ed gen tl y wit h a pa pe r t o wel , a vo id t he i ma ge a re a . 1 5 . Ho ld t he pa pe r b y a c o rn e r a n d a l lo w a n y ex ces s t o r un of f . 1 6 . To d r y ha n g o r la y t he pa pe r s ol u t ion si de u p. A ha i r d r ye r ca n be u se d, kee p t he d r ye r 1 0 c m a wa y f ro m t he pa pe r su r fa ce . 1 7 . D r y in da r k o r l o w l ig h t a rea .

I t is i mp o r ta n t to w a sh t he r od a f te r e ve ry co a t of s il ve r . T he r od be co m es con ta m in a te d wi t h sa l t a s yo u a re coa t in g . T he s t re n g t h of t he sil ve r n i t ra te sol u t ion re g ula t es t he g r a in si ze o f t he p re c ip i ta ti n g s il ve r c hl o ri de . S t r on g e r so l u ti on s p ro d u ce la r ge r g ra i n s t ha t a re les s li k el y t o a bs o r b in to t he fi b res of t he pa p e r. 40 Coa tin g c rea te s: t he si lv e r n it ra te on to t he d ry s o di u m c hl o ri de

1 . Sil ve r c hl o ri de , t h e i ma g in g ma kin g c o m po u n d . 2 . So di u m n i tr a te , t hi s m us t be wa s he d ou t o f t he p rin t a ft e r ex po s u re.

S E N S I TI S I N G A L B U M E N P A P E R
o As wi t h t he a lb u m e n sa l t s ol u t ion , i n c rea se t he a m o un t o f sil ve r in t he s y r i n ge o r on t he b r us h t o en s u re ea sy a p pl ica t ion . ( 3 mls f o r 8x 1 0 s hee t ) T hi s a lso he lp s min i m is e t he b u bb les . o Th e fi r st p us h of t he s il ve r n i t ra t e so l u ti on do wn t h e pa p er sh o ul d b e a t a c on s ta n t s mo o t h s t ea d y ra t e (a bo u t 1 0 sec on ds on a n 8 x 1 0 s h ee t ) Wa i t 3 0 sec on ds be fo re t h e

40

Ibid.p56

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sec on d p u s hin g of t he si lve r n i t ra te s ol u ti on t o t he en d of t he pa p e r . Gen t l y re mo ve b ub b les b ef o re p us h in g t he sol u t ion a c ros s t he pa pe r . T r y a t le a s t 4 p us hes do wn t he sh ee t. S to p b ef o re t he b u b bl es lea v e a t ra i l of b ub b l es a c ro ss t he pa pe r . E a c h of t he se b u b bl e s on t h e pa pe r wi ll lea v e da r k ci r cle s in yo u r i m a ge .

S E N S I TI S I N G A R R O W R O O T P AP E R
A r ro wr o o t re q ui re s a s t ron ge r s il ve r n i t ra te c oa tin g b u t n e eds to be a p pl ie d ra p id l y d ue to t h e s ta r c h s s ol u bi li t y . 41 A pp l y t he sil ve r n i t ra te s ol u t i on a s de s c ri be d f o r t he sa l te d pa pe r .

S t or ag e of Se n si ti z e d P ape r . T he st o ra ge of sen s it i ze d pa pe r d u lls t he p r in t , t he hig h li gh t s los e t he i r c la ri t y a n d t h e re is los s of den s i ty . A lb u m en wi ll sta r t to s h o w yel lo wi n g in t he hi g hl ig h ts . T he a u t h o r t he r e fo re di sc o u ra g es s t or a ge fo r mo re t ha n t wo to t h re e h o u rs . Des pi te t he di sa d va n ta ges rea de r s ma y wis h to us e t h e fo ll o wi n g me t h o ds to in c re a s e s t or a ge ti m es . o o o o 1 to 5 % sol u t ion . 42 c i t ri c a ci d a d de d to the si lv e r

Ci t ri c a c i d in t he a l b u men s ol u t ion . A pp l y 2 % c i t ri c a ci d s ol u t ion on t o p a p er be fo r e sa l tin g . St o re in a c oo l, d r y , da r k a rea in b la c k p la s t ic ba g s.

41

Ibid.p57 Ibid. p 62

42

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C HAPTER 7
7. P H OT OG R AM S
AN D T H E

N EG A TI V E

T a l bo t s fi rs t i m ag e s w ere p ho to g r a ms m a d e b y us i n g o b je c ts s u c h as l e a ves a n d l a c e. T hes e m a d e ne g a ti v e i m ag es o n t h e p a p er . T h es e w e re i n t u r n e x po s e d to c re a te a po s i t i ve i m ag e. I n 1 8 4 0 T a l bo t d is co ve re d t he c a lo t y pe n eg a t iv e w h i le ex p er i m en t i ng o n a pro c es s he t ho ug h t m a y c o m pe t e w it h t he D ag u er reo t y p e . A n i m ag e he ex po s e d i n t he c a m er a w as no t v is i b l e u n t i l h e a d d e d a g a l l i c a c i d s o l u t io n to t he e x po s e d p a p er . T a l bo t s c a l o t y pe l a te n t i m ag e is k no w n as t h e f irs t d ev e lo pe d o u t n e ga t i ve . T his s ig n i f i c a n tl y de c re as e d th e ex po s u re t i me i n t h e c a me r a f ro m ho urs to s e co n ds . 43 Th e a bi l i t y to m a k e neg a t i ves t ho ug h co m p u t er s h as re j u ve n a t e d m an y p ri n t i ng -o u t p ro ces s es . P ho to gr a p he r s a n d a rt is ts w i t ho ut a c ce s s to l ar ge fo r m a t c a m er as a n d d a r kro o ms c a n no w ex pe r ie n c e t h e ar t a n d cr a f t o f th es e t h e e a rl y p ho to g r a p h ic p ri n t p ro c es s es .

PHOTOGRAMS
T he ea r lie st p h o to gra p h i c i ma ges c re a te d we r e p h o to g r a m s . T he i ma ge a c hi eve d b y si m pl y pla c i n g a n o bj ec t on to t he sen si t i ze d pa pe r s u rf a c e a n d e xp os i n g i t t o l ig h t . O f ten p ho t og ra m s a re o ve rl o ok ed d ue t o t h e exp os u re p ro b le ms a n d a r t y or j uv en i le sti g ma a t ta c he d. O bj ec t s ha ve va r yin g den s i t y a n d ca lc u la tin g t he ex p os u re ti me ca n be p r o ble m a ti c . U su a ll y wi t h p ho t og ra m s it is n o t p oss i bl e t o c he c k ex po s u re s wi t h o u t ris k o f m ov in g t h e ob je c t . T he co lo u r , s ha pe a n d di m en s i on o f t he o bj ec t wi l l ha ve a n a ffe c t on ex po s u re a n d p rin t co lo u r . o Gla s s o b je c ts s uc h a s va ses a r e of ten n o t s u c ces sf ul in U V l ig h t box es a s t h e l ig h t wr a ps a ro u n d t he o bje c t . T h ree di m en s ion a l ob je c ts in s u n li g h t a l te r a s t he s un m ove s. L ig h t we ig h t ma te r ia ls ex po se d o u ts i de n eed t o b e fi r m l y fixe d in ca s e of wi n d mo ve men t .

S c h a a f , L . J . ( 1 9 9 6 ) R e c o r d s o f t h e D aw n o f P h o t o g r a ph y T a lbo t 's N o t e bo o k s P & Q , U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s C a m b r i d g e , C a m b r i d g e G r e at B r i t ai n .

43

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Col o u rs o f i te m s ma ke a di ff e ren ce to ex p os u re t i me . Re d i t e ms fo r exa m pl e ta ke m o re ti me to ex po se t ha n ye ll o w.

T H E S A L T P R I N T N E G A TI V E
O ft en t he fa i l u re t o p r o d u ce q ua l i t y sa l t p rin t s c o me s f r o m un s u i ta ble n ega t ive s. T h e i dea l sa l t o r a lb u m en p rin t n e ga ti ve ma y n o t p ro d u ce q ua l i t y p r in ts in ot h e r p r in t p r oc es ses . A t te m p tin g t o p r o d u ce a n ega ti ve f o r va ri o us p r in tin g -o u t p ro ce sse s o r p r o ce ssin g - o u t pa pe r s m a y c o m p ro m is e ea c h o f t he p ro ce sses . T he lon g t on a l ra n ge of sa l t p rin t s pr ov i des ex ce p ti o n a l sepa r a t io n s in the hi g hl ig h ts and re co r d s mi d to n es pa r ti c ul a rl y we ll . S ha do ws la c k t he sa me de g ree of se pa r a ti on , ma y l o ok m u d d y a n d l a c k de ta i l. A hi g h pe r cen ta g e o f s ha do w a rea i n a n ega ti ve ca n ma ke t he en t ir e i ma g e a p pea r f la t . Exp os in g f o r t he s h a do ws is t he re fo re c ri t ica l . T he re m us t b e de ta il in t he s ha d o ws a n d hi g hl ig h t s wi t h a den si t y ra n g e of 1 . 8 t o 2. 2 (a t lea s t 7 s t op s la ti t u de ) . Sa lt pr in ts d o n o t re q u i re a hi g h c on t ra s t n ega ti ve . T he n ega ti ve m u s t be d en se wi t h in f o r ma ti on f r o m t h e s ha d o ws to t he hi g hl ig h ts . A l o w c on t ra s t n ega t i ve wi ll p r o d uc es a fla t p rin t b u t h ig h c on t r a st n ega t iv e s wi l l re su l t in ha rs h co n t r a st y p rin t s, o f ten l os i n g de ta il in t he sha do ws a n d / o r t he hi g hl ig h t s . S uc ce ssf u l sa l t ed pa pe r p rin t re q ui re s : 1 . A n e ga ti ve wi t h a l on g t on a l ra n ge , t h e r a n ge b e t ween t he hi g hes t a n d l o wes t den si t y p oi n t s ma x i m ise d . 2 . A n ega t iv e wi t h e n o ug h den s i t y t o a l l o w t he si lv e r c hl o ri de to c ha n ge i n t o m e ta l li c si lv e r d u ri n g ex po s u re . D ue t o li g h t r ef le ct in g o ff t he s u r fa c e , glos s y a l b u men p r in t s see m to ha ve a s h o rt e r de n si t y ra n g e t ha n ma t t pa pe r s . Th e p rin t a p pea r s a s t h o ug h i t h a s dee pe r sha d o ws a n d b r ig h te r hi g hl ig h t s. P ro ce ss ed- o u t pa p e rs ha v e t hi s sa me e ffe c t . A glo ss y g ela t in -s il ve r p rin t wil l a p pea r t o ha v e d ee pe r bl a c ks a n d wh i t e r hig h li g h ts co m pa r e d wi t h a d ull m a t t -f in i s he d p ro ce sse d o u t p rin t . G los s y a l b u m en p r in t s ha ve a co m pa ra bl e to n a l ra n ge t o pla t i n u m p r in ts . Sa l te d pa pe r p rin t s ex ce ed t he

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to n a l ra n g e of pla t in u m. 44 Th is i s d ue to t he se lf ma sk i n g effe c t . T h e si lve r c hl o ri d e c on v e r t s to me ta ll ic si lve r d u r in g exp os u re t h u s b lo c kin g t he s ha do w a rea s ( lig h t pa r t o f t he n ega ti ve ). T h is sl o ws t he ex p os u r e a llo win g t he h ig h li g h ts (d en se / da r k p a rt o f t h e n ega t iv e) t o con t in ue p rin t in g . T he self - ma s k in g g iv es p rin t s a gra da t ion o f lig h t to n es wh i le st il l h ol din g go o d s ha do w de ta il . Co r r e c t n ega t ive den s i t y is i mp o r ta n t f o r t he hi g hl ig h t s so t h ese lig h t e r ton e s a re n o t ove r -ex p ose d . T he sa l te d pa pe rs a n d ma t t (s in g le c oa te d) a l b u men p r i n ts re q u ir e mo r e re d uc ed s il ve r to m a ke t he a p pea ra n ce of b la c k in t h e s ha do ws . T h is is a c h iev e d b y l on ge r e xp os u r e t i m e s, t he re fo r e t he n ee d fo r a den se r n ega ti ve . T he p la in sa lt ed p rin t wi t h o u t a bin de r is t he fla t t es t i n a p pea ra n ce ; t he r e fo re it r eq u i res t h e g r ea t es t den s i ty r a n ge in t he n ega t iv e t o a lle via t e t h is l oo k .

T Y P E S O F N E G A TI V E S :
Al t h o ug h n e ga ti ve s fa ll in to t o t wo ma jo r g ro u p s , a n a l og ue a n d d igi ta l , t he se g r o up s do in te r t win e . An a n a lo g ue n ega t ive ca n be p ro d u ce d f ro m a di gi ta l fi le a n d a n a lo g ue n ega t ive s a re di gi t ise d to c rea t e i n k je t n e ga ti ves . T h ey a ll off e r a d va n ta ges a n d ha v e d isa dva n t a ges .

A N A L O G U E C O N TI N U O U S T O N E F I L M N E G A TI V E S
A dva n ta ges : o o o Ne ga ti ves ca n p r ov i de a n ex ce llen t con t in uo us t on e . De ve lo p men t con t r ols ca n c r ea te t he ext ra den si t y f o r sa l t p r in ts . Sil ve r n ega ti ve s b l oc k in g po we r s a r e gr ea te r t ha n t he bla c k dy es o f in kj e t pr in te rs .

D isa dva n ta ges : o o o Fil m ma y n o t be rea di l y a va i la bi li t y . Re q ui re a da r k ro o m fa c il i ty . 3 5 m m a n d me di u m fo r ma t f il m s n ee d to be en la rg ed b y mea n s of in te r - n eg a ti ve s o r rev e rse p ro ce ss in g . T h ese ma te r ia l s a re ex pen siv e. D us t ca n b e a c u rse .

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p69
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T he n u m be r o f bla c k a n d wh i te f il m s a va i la b le on t h e ma r ke t to da y ha s r ed u ce d con s i de ra bl y d ue t he i n c r ea se of di gi ta l ca p t u re ca me ra s . S he et fi l m a va i la bil i t y in A us t ra lia is q ui t e li m it e d. (Se e s up p li er l is t ) T he c ho ic e is wi de r in 3 5 m m a n d 1 2 0 ro ll fi l ms . T he i n te rn a ti on a l ma r ke t of fe rs a m o re ext en s ive ra n ge . Fil m ex p o s u re fol lo win g : and t on a l ra n ge ca n be con t r ol le d by the

1 . L ig h tin g o f t he s u b j ec t . 2 . T he t y pe of f il m us e d . 3 . T he d eve lo p m en t t i me a n d a g i ta ti on . 4 . T he t y pe a n d s t ren g t h o f t h e de ve lo pe r . Th e sa l t p r in t n ega ti ve m us t be ex po se d fo r t he s ha d o ws . T he st re n g t h of t he de v elo pe r s ol u ti on is do u b le d t o p ro vi de t h e den s i t y. T h ro u g h exten si ve tes t in g I ha v e fo un d t he co m b in a ti on o f I lf o rd s HP 4 f il m a n d PM K de vel o pe r to p ro d u ce t he bes t sa lt p rin t n e ga ti ves t o da te .

I L F O R D F P 4 F I L M 1 2 5 I SO T his fi l m wi l l c r ea t e a wi de t on a l ra n g e ex ten de d b y t he lo w fo g ba se o f t he f il m . U s e t h e 1 2 5 ISO ra t in g a n d ex po se f o r t h e sha d o ws .

PMK DEVELOPER45
S ol u ti on A D is ti lle d wa te r a t ro o m t e m pe ra t u re M et ol So di u m bi s ul fi te P y ro ga l lo l Wa t e r t o m a ke S ol u ti on B D is ti lle d wa te r a t ro o m t e m pe ra t u re So di u m m e ta b o ra te Wa t e r t o m a ke M et h o d: S t oc k S ol u ti o n A 1 . Weig h o u t t h e so di u m bis u lf i te . 7 5 0 ml 10 gm 20 gm 100 gm 1 0 0 0 ml 1400 600 gm 2 0 0 0 ml

45

Hutchings, G. (1992) The Book of Pyro, Bitter Dog Press, Granite Bay, CA. p13

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2 . A dd a pi n c h o f t h e so di u m bis u lf i te t o t h e 7 5 0 ml o f wa t er a n d se t t he re ma in d er a s i de . 3 . A dd t he me t ol a n d s ti r un t il c o m pl e tel y di sso lv ed . 4 . A dd re ma in i n g s od i u m bis u lf i te , s ti r un ti l d iss ol ve d . 5 . If yo u do n o t ha v e a ven t ila t in g ho o d, p er fo r m t he f oll o wi n g o u tsi de . 6 . P u t on g lo ves , ma s k a n d ey e p r o te c ti on . 7 . M ea s u re o u t t he p y r oga ll ol a n d a d d to t he s ol u t ion .

S t oc k S ol u ti o n B 1 . D iss ol ve t he so d i u m me ta bo r a te in t he 1 4 0 0 ml of wa te r . 2 . A dd wa t e r t o m a ke 2 0 0 0 ml . St o re in b ro wn gla s s bo t t les cle a rl y ma r ke d .

U sa ge f o r sa l t p rin t n ega ti ve s on l y : Sal t pri nt ne g a ti ve : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hea t wa te r 5 0 0 ml t o 2 2 C . A dd 1 0 ml pa r t A . A dd 2 0 ml pa r ts B . P ro ce ss f il m wi t h co n ti n ua l a g i ta ti on f o r 1 2 m in u te s . St o p ba t h 3 0 se c on d s (n o r m a l a ci d s to p ba t h ) . Fix fo r 5 m in u te s a gi ta ti on fo r 3 0 se con ds e ve r y m in u te . (S ta n da r d rea d y- ma de a m m on i u m t h ios ul fa te f ixe r ) . D o n o t ta n t he n ega ti ve a s o f ten s ug ges te d b y pla cin g ba c k in t o dev el op e r a f te r f ixin g . T hi s fla t t e n s t he t on es fo r t h e sa l t p r in t. Wa s h fo r 1 mi n u te . Pla ce in a ba t h of 1 % c lea rin g a ge n t f o r 2 m in u tes ( 1 0 g m so di u m s u l p hi te i n 1 0 0 0 ml wa t e r) .

8. 9.

1 0 . Wa s h fo r 5 mi n u te s . 1 1 . A d r o p of we t t in g a gen t in 1 0 0 0 ml wa t e r f o r 1 m in u te s t o ps st re a k ma r k s .

O the r Fi l m s T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra m s a n d t h e N ega t ive

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1 . I L F O R D H P 5 4 0 0 ISO . Si mi la r q ua li t ies t o t h e I lf o rd FP 4 fil m , b u t wi t h o u t s u c h a clea r fi l m ba se . P r oc ess a s a b ov e b u t in c re a se t he dev el o p men t ti m e t o 1 2 m in ut es 2 . F O M A P A N C L A S S I C 2 0 0 I SO . T h is fi l m wo r ke d wel l wi t h si m il a r q ua l i tie s t o t he I lf o r d F P 4 . T he ba se fo g a n d PM K de vel o pe r wa r m ed t he n e ga ti v e ba se co lo u r . T hi s fla t ten s t he s a l t p ri n t to n a l ra n ge . P r oc e ss t he f il m a s a b ove b u t i n c r ea s e t he de vel o p men t ti m e t o 1 2 m in u tes .

I N C R E A S I N G TH E T O N A L R AN G E P O S T D E V E L O P M E N T
Fil m R ed u c in g Fo r m u la s p r ov i de d on l y a min i ma l i n c re a se i n t he ton a l ra n g e . Sele n i u m wa s s u c c essf u l a s a f il m i n ten si fy in g f or m u l a . A sol u t ion o f 1 : 1 0 fo r 1 0 mi n ut es in c rea s ed t h e t on a l ra n ge b y 2 st o ps , d ue t o sel en i u m a d din g den si t y t o t he h ig h lig h t s .

E N L A R G I N G N E G A T I V E S I N TH E D AR K R O O M
En s u re y o u r da r k r o o m is li g h t t ig h t a n d y o u r e n la rg e r d oe s n o t re fle c t l ig h t a ro un d t h e r oo m . T h is st o ps t h e r is k o f l ig h t fog gin g ex pen s ive f il m . W hi te ba se d e a sels s h o ul d b e co ve re d wi t h a bla c k s he e t of pa pe r to st o p lig h t ref le c tin g b a c k t h ro u g h t he f il m . Th e o r t h o fi l m a n d l i t h f il m a re hi g h con t ra s t s o d il u te d pa pe r d eve lo p er is use d t o lo we r t h e con t ra s t. 3 5 m m a n d 1 2 0 ro ll fil m s ca n be en la r ged in t he d a rk r o o m b y ma k in g a n en la rge d in te r- p os i ti ve t hen c on ta c t p rin t in g b a c k to a n e ga ti ve o f t h e sa me si ze . T h is i s a t wo s t ep p ro ce ss . In te r- p osi t iv es me t h od of en la rgi n g n e ga t iv es : o U sin g Il fo r d O r t h o Pl u s fi l m. T his m u s t b e u se d un d e r a re d sa fe li g h t . 1 . Pla ce t he 3 5 m m o r 1 2 0 ro ll f il m in t he en l a rge r a n d c he c k t h e f o c u s e t c , a s fo r n o r ma l da r k ro o m p rin t in g . 2 . U se tes t s t ri ps t o f in d t he co r r ec t e xp os u r e. P ro ce ss t h is i n d il u te d pa pe r de ve lo pe r . S of t de vel o pe rs s u c h a s Ko da k Sel ec t ol un d il u te d wi ll giv e go o d h ig h li g h t a n d s ha do w de ta il . 3 . A dj u st t h e ra ti o o f t he de ve lo pe r t o con t r ol t h e con t ra s t. 4 . Wh en t h e n e w po si ti ve i s d r y pla ce t hi s on n e w te st s t r i p fi l m . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra m s a n d t h e N ega t ive
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5 . Exp ose de te r m in e t he ex p os u re ti m e . 6 . Con ta c t p r in t t h e n e ga t iv e. 7 . Tes t t h is n e w n eg a t ive to en s u r e yo u h a ve n o t lo s t t he ton a l ra n g e , o r ga in e d to o m uc h co n t ra s t .

U sin g M a c o Gen i u s fil m : T h is ca n be us ed un de r a re d sa fe l ig h t . 1 . Pla ce t he 3 5 m m o r 1 2 0 ro ll f il m in t he en l a rge r a n d c he c k t he f o c u s , e t c . a s f o r n o r m a l da r k r oo m p rin t in g . 2 . U se tes t s t ri ps t o f in d t he co r r ec t e xp os u r e. P ro ce ss t hes e in di l u te d pa p er de v elo pe r . S of t de vel o pe rs s uc h a s K o da k S ol ec t ol 1 : 2. Fo r 2 m in u tes . Ad j us t t he ra t io of t he d eve lo pe r t o con t r ol t he con t ra s t . 3 . Wh en t he n e w p os i t ive is d r y , p la ce t he po si t ive in di re c t con ta c t wi t h tes t s t r ip s t o d e t er m in e t he co r re c t ex p os u re . 4 . Con ta c t p r in t t h e n e ga t iv e . 5 . Tes t t h is n e w n eg a t ive to en s u r e yo u h a ve n o t lo s t t he t on a l ra n ge o r t ha t i t ha s ga in e d to o m u c h con t ra s t.

D I G I TA L N E G A TI V E S
A kin to a n a l og u e f il m , t he a m o un t o f in fo r m a ti on a n d t he q ua l i t y o f t h e dig i t a l fi le wi l l ref le c t in t h e o u t co m e o f t he fin a l p rin t . T h e ref o re t h e me t h o d of s ca n n in g o r ca p t u rin g a di gi ta l i ma ge in ca me ra m u s t be c on s id er e d. A pr of ess io n a l p ho t og ra p h ic la b o r dig i ta l b u r ea u wi ll offe r q ua l i ty s ca n n in g se rv ic es . An 8x 1 0 n ega ti ve s ca n n e d a t 4 0 0 p pi wi l l gi ve a fil e si ze of 3 6M B . D ig i ta l ca me ra s a r e be yon d t he s co pe of t his bo o k d ue t o t he c o mp lex a n d con s ta n tl y c ha n gi n g ma r ke t . Al t h o ug h n o t di s c u sse d, t he ca p t u re d i ma ge f ile s ho u l d h a ve si mi la r q u a li t ies t o t he re fe r re d s ca n n e d fi le a bo ve . D igi ta l n ega t iv es in cl u de : 1.
Inkjet negatives from digital files

a) b) c) d)

In k je t n ega t iv es In k je t s pe c t ra l n e ga ti ve s Pa pe r in k je t n ega t iv es L a s e r p r in t n ega t ive s

4 9

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra m s a n d t h e N ega t ive

An a l og u e Ne ga ti ve s fr o m Di gi ta l Fi les a) Ko da k D u r oC l ea r s pe c t ra l n e ga ti ve

b ) I ma ge S e t te r fi l m SP ECT R AL N EG AT IV E S : A n a me use d t o de s c ri be f il m t ha t u ses co lo u r to t ra n s m i t o r b lo c k d iff e ren t wa ve len g t h s rea c hin g lig h t s en si t i ze d pa p er . In 1 8 7 3 W .H . V og el dis c ov e re d sen s it iv i t y to gr een wa s en ha n ce d by a d d in g ye ll o w d ye t o Salt print co ll o di on pla t es . He s uc ce ss f ull y t ri ed r e d to Spectral negative a bs o r b t he g re en l ig h t a n d g re en to a bs o r b t he re d. T his di sc ov e r y ha d a n e n o r mo u s a ff ec t on t he f u t u r e of bo t h b la c k a n d wh i te a n d c ol o u r p ho t og ra p h y . In b la c k a n d wh i t e p ho t og ra p h y g reen , ye ll o w, o ra n ge a n d re d li g ht d is t o r t t he to n e va l u es . F o r e xa m p le r ed i s di ff i c ul t to t el l a pa r t f r o m bla c k . 46 M os t p h o to g r a p hi c p r o cess es a r e sen s i ti ve f ro m 3 0 0 to 5 0 0 n a n o me t r es in cl u di n g u l t ra v io le t , vi ole t a n d bl ue . T he h u ma n ey e i s se n si ti ve t o t h e el e c t ro ma gn e t ic sp ec t r u m be t we en 4 0 0 a n d 7 0 0 n a n o me t res . Fil te r s in bla c k a n d wh i t e p h o to g ra p h y wo r k b y a bso r bin g un wa n t ed c ol o u rs of l ig h t . T he s lo p e of t h e c ha ra c te r is ti c c u rv e a n d t he c o n t r a st o f t he i m a ge ca n be c ha n ge d b y t h ese co lo u r ed f il te r s . 47 Fo r exa m pl e r e d fi l te r s a bso r b a p ro p o r ti on of t he b l ue da yli g h t . T he s pe c t ra l n e ga t ive wo r k s on t he sa me p rin ci pa l. Co lo u r s con t r ol t he t on a l r a n ge by t he q ua li t y a n d q ua n ti t y of l ig h t re a c hi n g t he l ig h t s e n si ti ve pa pe r. A lt h o ug h t hi s a c ts a s a den s it y s o me wh a t si m il a r t o si lve r pa r ti cle s in fil m , i t do es n o t ha ve t he sa me s u b tle to n a l g ra d ua ti on s whi c h fil m o ff e rs . T his i s m o re p r ob le ma t i c i n hig h li g h ts a n d s h a do w re gi on s . No t e t ha t p ig m en t i n ks , u l t ra c h ro m e in ks a n d d ye - ba s e d i n ks in in k je t p r in te rs ma ke a c on s i de r a bl e di ffe r en c e t o t h e n ega ti ves den s i t y a n d t on a l ra n ge. G e n era ll y d y e ba s ed i n ks p ro d u ce a wi d e r ga m u t o f c ol o u r a n d a hi g he r res ol u t ion , t he in k si ts in t he s t r u c t u re o f t he fil m . T he pi g men t in k si t s on

Ke n n e t h - M e e s , C . E . a n d J a m e s , T . H . ( 1 9 6 6 ) T h e T h e o r y o f t h e P h o t o g r a ph i c P r o c e s s , The Macmillan Company, New York.

46

S t r o e b e l , L . , C o m p t o n , J . , C u r r e n t , I . a n d Z a k i a , R . ( 1 9 8 6 ) P h o t o g r a ph i c M at e r i a ls a n d Processes, Butterworth Publishers, Stoneham, MA, USA.

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t he s u r fa ce o f t he fil m . P ro d u ce rs of t h es e in k p ro d u c ts a c cla i m a n ex te n d e d l ife . T h e dy e - ba s ed i n k s a bil i t y to b lo c k U V l ig h t i s g rea te r t ha n t he pig m en t b a s ed in k s. 48 T he re a re n u me r o us a pp r oa c hes in m a k in g d ig i ta l n e ga ti ve s . I fo un d M a r k Ne ls on s P re c is io n D ig i t a l Neg a t i ves bo o k u se fu l . His s y s te m e m po we rs yo u t o c us t o m ise yo u r co m p u te r s ys t em , to c re a t e n eg a t iv es in a n u m be r o f o u t p u t m od es t ha t wi l l s ui t yo u r pa r ti c u la r p ro ces s . T h is in c l ud es in k je t , i ma g e se t te r o r Ko da k D u r a c lea r . T he s te p - we d ge t ha t ca n be p u r c h a sed wi t h h is bo o k is a v a l ua b le to ol .

TRANSMISSION STEP WEDGES

T ra n s m iss ion s te p- we d ges a i d in ton a l ra n g e co m pa r is on s a ga in s t n ega t ive s. B y e x po s in g t h e ste p - we dg e b esi d e t he n ega ti ve i t hel ps t o in d i ca te t h e t on a l ra n ge in t h e ex p ose d p rin t , a s sis t in g in ca l c ul a tin g f u t u r e ex pos u r es . T he st ep we d ge is f ul ly ex po sed wh en t h e f i rs t s te p is t he sa me d en si t y a s t he ex pos e d pa pe r o u ts id e t he n ega t i ve a re a . T h is s ho u ld be j us t b ef o re br on zi n g o c c u rs . T h is wi ll he l p t o fin d : o T he t on a l sca le o f t he ex po se d pa pe r in di ca te d by t he n u m be r o f se pa r a te s t ep s vi si bl e . If t he n e ga ti ve ha s t he sa m e ton a l s ca l es a s t h e s te p we d ge .

T ra n s m iss ion s te p- we d ges a ls o kn o w n a s g r ey s ca l es o r st ep ta bl et s . T hes e a re a va i la b le i n a n u m b e r o f s te ps b u t t he m os t co m m on l y us ed i s 2 1 s te ps . T hi s is a s t ri p o f fil m in s t ep s o f exp os u re s, ea c h s te p in c rea sin g t he de n si tie s b y 0. 1 5 . T h ese a re a va i la ble f ro m St o uf fe r o r t he y ca n b e c r ea te d on yo u r co m p u te r wi t h P ho t os ho p a n d p r in te d on cl ea r fi l m s u c h a s Ag fa Co p y J e t o r Pi c to r i co T S P 0 0 usin g a n in k je t p rin te r . As wi t h fi l m p rin t in g t he e m u ls ion to e m ul si on r ule st il l a p pl ies . F li p t he i m a ge ho r i zon ta ll y be f o re yo u p r in t t he in k je t n ega ti ve t o a v oi d l os s of s h a rpn ess in t he p rin t . T his ca n be ca r rie d o u t in P ho t os ho p o r t he p r in te r s p ro pe r t ies c us to m s se tt in g s.

N e l s o n , M . I . ( 2 0 0 4 ) P r e c i s i o n D i g i t a l N e g at i v e s : F o r S i l v e r & O t h e r A lt e r n at i v e Processes, Mark I Nelson.p52

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D E N S I TY R E A D I N G S O N A D E N S I TO M E TE R

Den si t y i s t he mea su r e o f li g h t t ha t pa s ses t h r o ug h t he n ega ti ve . ( kn o wn a s t ra n s m is si on den s i t y ). L ig h t re fl ec t in g fr o m p rin te d ma te r ia l i s kn o wn a s re f lec t ed den si t y . T he den s i to m e te r g ive s set va l ue s t o t h is t r a n s m it t ed a n d re fle c te d l ig h t a l lo w in g a c on s is ten ce co m pa ri son . Wha t eve r n e ga ti ve ty pe yo u c ho ose , do n o t b ec o me ob ses se d . Fin d t he p ro ce ss t ha t fi ts y o u r wa y of p r in tin g. D o n o t be t he pe rs on who en ds u p wi t h a t ec hn i ca l ly pe rf ec t i ma ge t ha t i s de vo i d of a ll s o ul , in s p i r a ti on a n d i ma gin a t i on .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ho t og ra m s a n d t h e N ega t i ve

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C HAPTER 8
8. E X P OS IN G
TH E P RI NT

T h is is t h e c h a l le ng i ng a n d e x c i t in g p a rt o f t h e p ro ces s . W h i le ex po s i ng n eg a t i ves o n t he s e ns i t i ze d p a p er yo u c a n o bs er ve yo ur i m ag e as i t a p p e ar s . Yo u h a ve co n tro l o ve r t he i n te ns i t y o f t he li g h t a n d t h e l en g t h o f e x po s ur e w hi c h a f f e cts t he c o lo ur a n d de ns i t y o f t he f i n a l p r i n t. The s a l t p rin t re q ui r es ul t ra vi ole t (U V ) li g h t to f o r m a n i ma ge . T he s un o r a lt e rn a ti ves s u c h a s la mp s o r t u be s e m i t tin g U V li g h t ca n be u se d . T he l ig h t s o u r ce s ess en tia l f o r p rin tin g o u t p ro ce sse s a r e a mi ll ion ti m es s t r on ge r t ha n t hos e fo r de vel o pe d- o u t p r o ces s es . 49 P ho t og ra p hi c en la rg e rs ca n n o t p ro d u ce en o ug h l ig h t f o r p r in tin g - o ut p ro ce sse s . T he co lo u r a n d co n t ra s t o f t he p r in t is in f l uen ce d b y t he in t en si t y a n d c ol o u r of t h e e xp osin g li g h t. A U V l ig h t b ox of f er s s ta b il it y a n d r epea ta b il i ty wh i le s un l ig h t s U V exp os u r e s a re v a r ia b le a n d co m p lex . S un l ig h t wi ll a ff ec t t he c ol o u r a n d con t ra s t o f t he p rin t a s it is ex po si n g de pen d in g on : o o o o o o o Ti me of t he da y. Ti me of t he yea r . H u mi di t y . Clo u d co ve r . D i re ct s un li g h t , t hi s giv es les s c on t ra s t a s t h e ex pos u r e is fa s t e r. In di re c t s un l ig h t , exp os u re is sl o we r . t hi s in c rea ses con t ra s t as t he

A m bien t t e m p e ra t u r e wil l a ls o a f fe ct s en si ti vi t y of t he exp os in g p r in t wi t h l i t t le r ed u c t ion of si lve r ta k in g pla ce b e lo w 5 C .

W a r e , M . J . ( 1 9 9 4 ) M e c h a n i s m o f I m ag e D e t e r i o r at i o n i n E ar l y P h o t o g r a ph s - t h e s e n s i t i v i t y t o L i g h t o f W H F T a l b o t ' s h a l i d e - f i x e d I m a g e s 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 4 4 , S c i e n c e M u s e u m a n d N at i o n a l M u s e u m o f P h o t o g r a p h y , F i l m & T e l e v i s i o n , B r ad f o r d , L o n d o n . p 1 7
49

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l |

5 3

D iff e ren t lev els of U V vis i ble lig h t l eve ls gen e ra te di ffe r en c e s.

and wi ll

Al t h o ug h t he ef fe c t o f li g ht on t h e sa l t p rin t ma xi m ise s in t he re gi on of 3 8 0n m , vis i ble lig h t up to a p p rox i ma te l y 6 5 0n m wi l l re d uc e sil ve r c h lo r id e to me ta ll i c s il ve r . T h e sp ec t r u m bel o w 3 8 0n m a lso r ed u c es t he re d u c ti on o f si lv e r b u t n o r ma l p ic t u r e f ra me gla s s d oes n o t t ra n s m i t li g h t un de r 3 4 0 n m .

An ex pos u r e f ra me , a ls o ca l le d a co n ta c t p r in t fr a me is m a d e u p f r o m 3 pa r ts ; t he f r a me , g la s s a n d a r e mo va bl e h in ge d ba c k . T he f r a me h ol ds t he gl a ss in p la c e a n d t h e hin ge d ba c k a p pl ies p res s u re on t he pa pe r a n d n e ga ti v e t o s t o p mo ve m en t , en s u rin g t he y r e ma in in con ta c t a n d r egi s t ra ti on wh i le exp os in g . T he fo ll o wi n g s t ep m u s t b e ca r rie d o u t in s u b d ue d lig h t . M a k e s u re t h e sen s i ti ze d pa pe r is d r y o r t h e n e ga t ive wi l l be de s t ro ye d wi t h b ro wn s il ve r n it r a t e s ta in s . T he gla s s m u st b e clea n a n d f ree f r o m d us t be fo r e p la cin g t he n e ga ti ve , fol lo we d b y t he pa pe r on to t he gl a ss . Pos i ti on t he fil m em u ls ion to pa pe r e m u lsi on . P la c e t h e hi n ge d ba c k o n t o p a n d sec u r e. T u rn t he f r a me ove r a n d c h ec k b ef o re ex po sin g ma ke su r e n o ma r ks o r d us t ha s a p pea re d a n d t h e n ega t iv e is in t he co r re c t p os i ti on on t he pa pe r . I f y o u ha ve di ff i c ul t y po si t ion in g t he fi l m a n d pa pe r , re mo va bl e t a p e ca n b e use d to a t ta c h c o rn e r s of t h e f il m on to t he pa p er ; t his ca n be re m o ve d on c e po si t ion e d . T he hin ge d ba c k a ll o ws yo u to i n s pe c t yo u r p rin t wi t h li t t le r is k o f de r eg is te r in g t h e f i l m . Wh en pla cin g t he exp os u r e f ra m e in t he s un li g h t, t he di ffe r en c e in te m p era t u r e b et ween t h e co ol gla ss a n d t he en ca s e d sen s i ti ze d pa pe r c r ea tes a h u m id i t y c ha m b e r. T his ma y de re gis t e r t h e ima ge a s t he fil m a n d pa pe r e xp a n d a t di ffe r en t ra te s . I t w ill g ive t he i m p res s ion of a so f t o r o u t of fo c us i ma ge . 50 Ch ec k p rin t ex po s u re s un de r s u b d ue d lig h t . T his s h o ul d be b ri g h t en o ug h to m a ke a de ci si on on t he ex p os u re b u t n o t so b ri g h t t ha t i t con t in ue s to ex p ose t he p rin t . A l wa ys v ie w u n de r t he sa me li g h tin g c on d i ti on s . T h is k ee ps a c on si s ten c y when j u dg in g ex po s u res .

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 7 3
50

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E X P O S U R E TI M E S
J u dg in g t h e ri g h t e xp os u re ca n b e di ff ic u l t. T he p r in t m u st b e exp ose d b ey on d w h a t a p pea r s t o be t he c o r re c t e xp os u r e b y a bo u t t wo s to p s . Th e fix e r r e mo ve s a p p rox i ma te l y t wo t o t h ree s t o ps of den s i t y, b u t a s t he i ma ge d r ies i t rega in s on e to t wo s to ps in den si t y . Pe r son a l ex pe ri e n ce i s t h e be s t g ui de to un de rs ta n d in g t h e co r re c t ex po s u re. D od gin g ca n be ca r ri ed o u t b y c ut t in g s ha pes t o c ov e r a r ea s on t he n ega ti ve whe r e less e xp os u r e is re q ui r e d. T hese a r e la i d on t op of t he g la s s in t he e xp os u re f ra me a n d mo ve d f re q u e n tl y t o a v oi d dis t i n c t o u tlin es o f t h e d o d gin g t oo l s ha pes .

L I G H T S OU R C E
UV light box*1 Direct Sun midday Indirect sun or dull day

TIME
15 to 30 minutes 10 to 20 minutes 30 minutes to 3 hours

*1.Based on a bank of 17 Philips Actinic BL 40 watt mercury vapour

fluorescence UV tubes at a distance of 20 cm from the print. These tubes emit UVA from 400 to 320nm peaking round 360 to 380 nm.

A di ff us e r o f o pa q ue t ra c in g pa pe r o r g r o un d g la s s c a n be us ed ove r t he ex p o su r e f ra mes i n a U V lig h t b ox to in c r ea se t he con t ra s t. T he ex po s u re ti me s a re de pen den t on a n u m be r of va r ia ble s : 1 . Ne ga ti ve d en s it y . 2 . Bin de r t y pe , fo r e x a m pl e pla in sa l te d pa pe r i s fa s te r t ha n a lb u m en b eca u se o f t he c oa tin g . 3 . A dd i ti ves s u c h a s p o ta ss i u m di c h r o ma te wi ll in c rea s e exp os u re ti m e b u t so di u m ci t ra te wi ll dec r ea se s exp os u r e ti m e .
R E C I P R O C I TY F A I L U R E

Sl o we r e xp os u re s i n c rea s e t he con t ra st of t h e i ma ge , f a st exp os u re s de c rea s e t he c on t ra s t . T he ex t re me s o f e i t he r of t he se wi ll ca use re c ip r o ci t y fa i l u re . Hig h in ten s i t y re ci p ro c it y fa i l u re ca n oc c u r i f t h e i ma g e is exp ose d di re c t l y t o hi g h U V c on ten t i n b ri g ht s un l ig h t . T h e p ho t o l y sis a c ti vi t y de c rea s es a n d t he s ha do ws wi ll n o t p ri n t a s T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | E xp os in g t he p r in t
5 5

da r k o r de n se a s i n t he lon ge r e xp os u re s . T he los s o f t he den s i t y in t he s ha d o ws fla t ten s t he to n a l ra n ge a n d de c re a ses t he con t ra s t. L o w in t en si t y re c i p ro c it y fa i l u re oc c u rs w i t h a n e x t re me l y we a k l ig h t so u r ce ; a s t he l on g e r p ri n ti n g t i me c r ea tes ve r y sm a ll , v u ln e ra bl e silv e r pa r ti c les , t h e size o f t h e pa r ti cle s re la tin g t o t he len g t h o f t h e ex po s u re . 51 I t ha s been fo un d t ha t o n l y a bo u t 2 % of t he o r ig in a l a p p lie d sil ve r re m a in s on t he pa pe r . Wi t h pa r t ic les si ze s a t a b o u t on e 1 / 1 0 0 of a s il ve r ge la t in p r in t, t he sa l t ed pa pe r p r in t is a t ri s k to a n y i m p u r i tie s. 52

SELF MASKING
T he sa l t p rin t sel f - ma s ks in t he s ha d o ws , t h e re d u ce d me ta l li c si lve r bl oc k s t he da r ke r t he sha d o w, t he s ma lle r t h e a m o un t of li gh t t ha t rea c he s t he un ex p o sed s il ve r c hl o ri de t h r o ug h t he re d u ce d me ta ll ic sil ve r . T h e l ig h t er a r ea s con t in ue t o ex p os e n o r ma ll y . I t is t hi s se lf - ma s k in g p ro d u ces t he e x ten de d ton a l ra n ge o f t he sa l t p r in ts . 53

t ha t

BRONZING
B ron z in g me a n s t he pa r ti cl es of re d u c ed me ta ll i c si lv e r h a ve m ig ra te d to t he s u r fa c e fo r m in g a la ye r on t he s u rf a c e of t he p rin t . T h is i s t he sa t u ra t ion p oin t whe r e t h e p r in t is ove r exp ose d . D u rin g ex po s u re t hi s br on ze gr een i s h b ra ss y b r o wn sh een a pp ea rs on p rin t s . 54 V er y l ig h t b ron z in g i n t h e i m a ge wi l l d isa p pea r d u r in g p ro ce ssin g . Co n ti n uin g t h e ex p os u re c rea te s a dee p b r on z in g wh i c h wi l l re ma in in t he i ma ge sha d o w r eg ion s a ft er p r o c es sin g. T h is s po ils t he p r in t. I f a n ega ti ve ha s co r r ec t den s i ty , a n d b r on zin g ha s f o r m e d in t he ma r gin s t h e p r in t is a t i ts ma x i m u m den s i t y. W i t h s ui t a bl e n ega ti ves e x p os u re ca n be mon i to re d b y vie win g t he ma r gin s o u tsi de t he n ega t iv e a rea so t he re i s li t tl e n e ed to o pen t h e exp os u re f ra mes .

W a r e , M . J . ( 1 9 9 4 ) M e c h a n i s m o f I m ag e D e t e r i o r at i o n i n E ar l y P h o t o g r a ph s - t h e s e n s i t i v i t y t o L i g h t o f W H F T a l b o t ' s h a l i d e - f i x e d I m a g e s 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 4 4 , S c i e n c e M u s e u m a n d N at i o n a l M u s e u m o f P h o t o g r a p h y , F i l m & T e l e v i s i o n , B r ad f o r d , L o n d o n . ,p 2 4
51 52

Ibid.p25

C r a w f o r d , W . ( 1 9 7 9 ) K e e p e r s o f t h e L i g h t , M o r g a n & M o r g a n , I n c ., N e w Y o r k , USA.p151
53

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr ac t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 7 3
54

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5 6

A 2 1-s t ep t ra n s mi s sion we d ge i s use f ul t o in cl u de wi t h yo u r p rin t wh i le ex po sin g yo u r n eg a ti ve. C h ec kin g t h e ex p ose d st ep we d ge a ga in s t the p rin t a l lo ws i n fo r me d j u dge m en ts t o be ma de a bo u t f u t u re exp os u re s a n d t he n ee ds of t h e n e ga ti ve .

W H A T O C C U R S W H E N TH E S E N S I TI Z E D P AP E R I S
EXPOSED TO LIGHT

Wh en t h e p r in t is ex po se d t o l ig h t : o L ig h t a c t in g o n t h e sil ve r c h lo r id e di sa ss o cia te s t h e sil ve r a n d t he c h lo ri de a n d in s o do i n g rele a s es s ma ll pa r ti cl es o f si lve r m eta l. Si m u l ta n e o usl y f r ee c h lo r in e m ole c u les a re re lea s ed . T he c hl o rin e a b so r b er s a re m ois t u r e in t he pa pe r fi b res , a n d t he ex ces s s il ve r n i t ra t e rea c ts wi t h t he re lea se d c hl o rin e fo r m in g m o re si lv er c hl o ri de . L ig h t c on tin u es t o b rea k d o wn t hi s n e w s il ve r c h lo r id e c rea ti n g mo r e m e ta l li c si lve r a n d t he c y cle co n t in ue s . 55

o o

Wi t ho u t lig h t , s p on t a n eo us re d u c ti on o f me ta ll ic si lve r c rea te s a yel lo w co lo u r . T h is c on si s ts o f re d u ce d m e ta l li c si lve r in a fin e l y di vi d ed s ta t e (sl o w ex p os u r e s in c rea se c on t ra s t by c rea ti n g f in e r s il ve r ) a c ce le ra te d b y wa r m t h a n d h u m i di t y . 56 If t he re d u c ti on of s i lve r co n tin ue s t he co lo u r wi l l c ha n g e t o re d /b r o wn a n d fin a ll y a f te r a pe r io d o f mon t h s , t he p r in t ma y a c t ua l l y h a ve a b ron ze d a p pe a ra n c e . T hese t in y pa r ti c les co m b in e , f o r m in g la rge r pa r t i cle s c he m is ts ca ll co ll oi da l . T he y a bso r b so me wa v elen g t hs b u t a re n o t la r ge en o u g h t o a bs o rb a l l wa ve l en g t hs of l ig h t . T h is is de pen da n t on t he i n dex of ref ra c t ion of t he b in de r in whi c h t he y a r e d is pe r se d . F o r exa m p le , a l b u men ha s a d iff e r en t re f ra c t io n to gel a t i n c rea t in g a d if fe r en t c ol o u r. P r in tin g -o u t pa pe rs a f te r f ixin g be co m e ye ll o w/ r ed / b ro wn in co lo u r . Si l ve r pa r ti cl es pa c k cl ose r t oge t h e r a s t he fix er d iss ol ve s un re d u ce d sil ve r c h lo r id e . T he in de x o f ref r a c ti on ha s c o m pl ete l y c ha n g ed , in so d oi n g d ra ma ti ca ll y c ha n gin g t he c ol o u r. Wh en

W a r e , M . J . ( 1 9 9 4 ) M e c h a n i s m o f I m ag e D e t e r i o r at i o n i n E ar l y P h o t o g r a ph s - t h e s e n s i t i v i t y t o L i g h t o f W H F T a l b o t ' s h a l i d e - f i x e d I m a g e s 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 4 4 , S c i e n c e M u s e u m a n d N at i o n a l M u s e u m o f P h o t o g r a p h y , F i l m & T e l e v i s i o n , B r ad f o r d , L o n d o n . p 1 7
55

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 6 3
56

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5 7

t he p r in t i s d r y i t a p pea rs d a rk e r a n d co l de r d ue t o t he pa r ti cl es pa c k in g cl ose r to ge t he r . 57 A c e rt a in a m o un t o f m oi s t u re i s r e q ui re d f o r sen si t iv it y a n d con t ra s t. O v e r- d r yi n g coa t ed pa p e r be fo re ex p os u re wi l l re d u ce sen si t iv i ty . Exc ess da m pn es s will de st r o y t he n eg a ti ve b y t ra n s fe r rin g t he sil ve r n it r a t e on t he fi l m. M y la r s h eet ( 7 5 m mi c ron s o r l ess ) b e t we en t h e p a pe r a n d n ega ti ve wi l l a c t a s p r o te c ti on wi t h min i ma l lo ss o f i ma ge s ha r pn es s . D o n o t a l lo w we t o r da m p fi n ge r s t o t o uc h t he s u rfa ce of t he exp ose d p r in t be fo r e p la cin g i t in t o t h e wa te r ba t hs . T hi s wi l l re s ul t in b ro wn st a i n s.

57

Ibid. p3

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | E xp os in g t he p r in t

5 8

C HAPTER 9
9. P R OC ES S I NG
T H E P RI NT

T he w as h , to n i ng , f i xe r a n d f i n a l w as hi ng i n f l u en c e t h e co l o ur a n d t h e l i fe o f t he p ri n t . D u e to t h e a d ve rs e e f f ec t o f t h e f i xer o n t he co lo ur o f t h e s a l t a n d a l b u me n pr i n ts , e a rl y p ri n t ers s e ar c he d fo r w a ys to r e - es t a b lis h d e ns i ty a n d co lo ur . He a t to n i ng w as t h e e ar l ies t me t ho d us e d i n s al t pr i n t i ng . T h is w as us e d b y T a l bo t a n d m a n y o t he r pr i n te rs d ur i ng t h is p e rio d . Ne x t w as s u l p h ur to n i ng us i ng o l d h y p o o r f i xe r . D e co m p o s e d s o d i u m t h io s u l f a te re le as e d s u l p h ur cr e at i ng a b ro w n is h s i lv er s u l p hi d e fro m t he s i lv er i n t h e i m a g e. 58 Co ns e rv a to rs to d ay w o ul d b e ho r r i fi e d a t t h e us e o f s u c h m et ho ds d ue to t he h ig h ris k o f t he i m ag e d et er io r a t in g . D es p i te t h is , m a n y o f t hes e e ar l y s u l p h ur t o n e d p r i n ts h a ve s ur v i ve d , i n c l u d in g t ho s e o f t he a c c l a i me d H i l l a n d A d a ms o n . Go l d to n i ng b e c a me co m mo n l y us e d a f t er Fr e n c h ph o t o gr a p he r Gus t a v L eGr a y p u bl i c i s e d i ts us e i n 1 8 5 0 . E a rl y go l d to n i ng w as co m b i ne d w i t h f ix er s k no w n as s e l d o r (to n i ng f i xer b a t h ) b u t t h is w as a l mo s t as d es t r u c t iv e as t he o l d h y po s u l p h ur t o ne r . L a te r, i n 1 8 8 6 , p l a t in u m to n i ng w as a d a p t e d fro m t he d ev e lo p me n t o f W il l i s s p l a t i no t y pe 59.

M a ke s u re ha n ds a re c lea n a n d d ry be fo r e re m ov in g t h e exp ose d p r in t. Da m pn e ss on fin ge rs o r ha n ds wi ll c r e a te a sta in on t he i m a ge s. T he la ye r s of a n ex po se d p r in t be fo r e p ro ce ssin g c on s is t of : o o o t he me ta ll ic sil ve r i ma ge bin de r ma te r ia l s s u c h a s s ta r c h, g ela t in o r a l b u m en un e xp ose d l ig h t -se n si ti ve s il ve r sa l t s (si lve r c hl o ri de , sil ve r n i t ra te , s il v er ci t ra te , s il ve r a lb u m en a te , e tc . , de pen din g on wh i c h c h e mi ca l s ha v e be e n a dd e d)

58

Ibid.p75 Ibid.p81

59

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ro ce ssi n g t he p rin t

5 9

Al l l ig h t sen s i ti ve sa l ts a re re m o ve d t o s ta b ili se t he p rin t lea v in g t h e me ta ll i c s il ve r i ma g e . S il v er sa l t s a re n o t so l u bl e in wa te r ; t he c h e mi ca l rea c ti on o f s o di u m t h io s ul fa te c rea te s a n o t he r n e w wa te r s ol u bl e c o mp lex . 60 T he g ol d , p la tin u m a n d pa l la di u m ton in g p r oc esse s a re exp en si ve so t ri m off ex ce ss pa pe r a r o un d t he p r in t be fo re pla c in g in t h e wa te r . En s u re t o lea ve a t a l ea s t 1 5 m m bo r de r fo r ha n din g a n d f ra m in g .

PRE-WASH
Pla ce p rin t in wa r m wa t er , 1 8 to 2 0 C f o r on e min u t e wi t h con s ta n t a gi ta t ion . Cha n ge wa te r un t il t he wh i t e c lo u d in g of c hl o ri de i on s s u b si des . T h is ta kes a bo u t 1 0 m in u te s. Pla c e t he p rin t s in a 1 % so l u ti on of s o di u m c hl o ri de a n d a gi ta t e fo r 1 m in u te . 61 T hi s a ss is ts in re m ov in g un e xp ose d si lv e r c h lo r id e a n d si lv e r n i t ra te . T he p r in t fa des t o a d ull b ro wn in t his ba t h b u t wi ll re b ui l d in t he to n e r , fix er a n d d r yin g . T he p r in t re q u ir es a f u r t he r 1 0 min u t es o f f re q ue n tl y c ha n g in g wa t e r . T he sa l t ba t h a s si s ts in p r ot ec t in g t he lif e a n d a c ti on o f t h e to n in g ba t h a n d p re ven ts s ta in in g in t h e f ixe r . T h e di l u te so di u m c hl o ri de s ol u ti on wi ll n o t d iss ol ve t h e si lve r s a l ts a s t he s o di u m t hi os u lf a te do es . So l u ble s il ve r io n s a re ex ces s sil ve r n i t ra te in sa l t pr in ts . T he se a re o xid is in g a n d ten d t o rea c t wi t h ' h y p o' , u l ti m a tel y c rea tin g si l ve r s ul p h id e . T his c a n ca use a ye ll o w/ b r o wn s ta in . Be fo re fix i n g a sa l t p r in t wi t h t hi os u l p ha te i t is i m po r t a n t t o r e mo ve t he f re e so l ub le s il ve r ion s . S o di u m c hl o ri de doe s t h is b y p re c ip i ta tin g si lve r c hl o ri de wh i c h is n ot oxi d isi n g . I t t hen dis so lve s in t he t hi os u l p ha te fi xe r w it h n o s ul p h id e fo r ma t ion . 62 If t he p rin t i s le f t si t tin g in t he wa s h ba t h d u r in g t he fi rs t f e w m in u te s , t he ex ce ss s il ve r n i t r a te di sp e rsin g in t o t he wa te r c ha n ge s f r o m t h e wh i te cl o u d t o b r o wn , fo r m in g s ta in s on t he p rin t . D u r in g t he p re - wa s h s t ep , wh i t e cl o ud in g o f t he wa t e r o c c u rs . T his i s t he rea c ti o n b e t ween t he ex ce ss s il ve r n i t ra te le f t in t he pa pe r pl us va ri o us i on s p rese n t in ta p wa te r . T he cl o u din g va rie s de pen din g on t h e a m o un t of un r e d u ce d s il ve r n i t ra te on

60

Ibid.p83 F o r m u la s , A m e r i c an

E . J . W a l l a n d F . I . J o r d a n ( 1 9 7 5 ) P h o t o g r a p h i c F ac t s a n d P h o t o g r a p i c B o o k P u b l i s h i n g C o . , I n c ., N e w Y o r k U S A . p 2 6 1
61

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6 0

t he pa pe r . A sa l t p rin t on l y re ta in s a bo u t 2 % o f t h e o ri gin a l sil ve r a pp li ed t o a s he et of pa pe r . T he ba la n c e is wa s he d a wa y o r re m ove d in f ixin g. 63 I f t he e xc ess sil ve r n i t ra t e a n d s od i u m n it r a t e a re n o t r e m ove d t h e s il ve r n it r a t e wi l l re ta r d o r p re ven t t on in g f r o m ta k in g p la ce . Bla c k s ta in s m a y a l so re s ul t if ex cess s il ve r n i t ra te a n d s o di u m n i t ra te a re s ti ll p r es en t wh e n t h e p rin t is f i xed .

TONING
No b le me ta l ton in g wi t h g ol d , pla t i n u m a n d pa l la di u m in sepa r a t e ba t hs n o t on l y in t en si fi e s t he i ma g e b u t a lso in c re a s es t h e l ife spa n of t he p r in t. Ton in g is es sen ti a l fo r sta b il isin g sa l t a n d a lb u m en p rin ts . T he ma ss of m in us c ul e sil ve r pa r t ic les o n t h e pa pe r s u rf a ce is s us ce p t ib le t o des t r u c ti on , oxi d iz i n g in s ul p h u r o us c on d i ti on s of a n o r ma l a t m os p he re . T h e gol d s h iel d s t h e sil ve r pa r t i cle s fr o m oxi da t ion by fo r m i n g a co m p o un d t ha t is m o re res is ta n t . Th e to n e rs c rea t e a li g h t sen s i ti ve c hl o ri de a s a b y - p r o d uc t of to n in g . T h is is res o lve d b y t he fi xin g p r oc ess c o m in g a f te r t h e to n in g .

T he t yp e o f b in de r a n d t he p rin t s u r f a ce m u st be c on s id ere d wh e n ton in g . Al b u men re q ui re s a s t r on ge r t on in g s ol u t i on to a ll o w i t t o pe n e t ra t e t he m o re re si lien t s u r fa c e a n d t h e re fo re t he a m o un t o f g ol d c h l or i de in t h e to n e r i s d o u ble d . T he po r o us s u r fa c es o f a r r o wr o o t a n d pla in sa lt e d pa pe r s wi l l t on e fa s te r . T ri m o ff t h e ex ces s bo r de r s of t he p r in t be fo r e to n in g to co n se r ve t he t on i n g so l ut io n s . Gol d c h lo r i de t on e rs a re rea d y fo r us e wh en t he s ol u ti on be co m es cl ea r . T h i s is kn o wn a s r ip e n in g . W h ile t he g ol d i s ye ll o w i t is in a n in a c t iv e a ci d s ta te . I t ta kes ti m e f o r t he a lk a li n i t y to n e u t r a lis e t he g ol d c h l o ri de b rin g in g i t t o a n a c ti ve s ta te . 64

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p66
63 64

Ibid.p78

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ro ce ssi n g t he p rin t

6 1

GOLD BORAX TONER 65

D is ti lle d wa te r So di u m te t ra b o ra te ( bo ra x ) Gol d c hl o ri de 1% s o lu t ion M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 8 C. A dd t he s o di u m te t r a bo r a t e . A dd t he g ol d c hl o ri de . Rea d y fo r us e wh en t he s ol u t ion i s c lea r . 1 0 0 0 ml 6 gm 1 2 ml

T he t on e r m u s t si t fo r a pp r ox i ma te ly 1 ho u r bef o re u s e to a ll o w t he a ci di c g o ld to b ec o me a c ti v e t h ro u g h con ta c t wi t h t he a l ka lin e bo ra x. T he t on e r s h o ul d c ha n ge c ol o u r f ro m pa l e ye ll o w t o c lea r a s i t bec o me s a c t ive . T h is ba t h ca n be ke p t b u t a d di t ion a l g ol d m u s t be a d de d a s t h e t on in g ef fe c t s lo ws wi t h usa ge . It m u s t si t a ga in a f t e r a d d i n g m o re g ol d c h lo r i de u n ti l t he s ol u t ion i s c lea r .

SODIUM ACETATE GOLD TONER. 66

D is ti lle d wa te r So di u m a ce ta t e Gol d c hl o ri de 1% s o lu t ion M et h o d: 1 . Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 0 C. 2 . A dd t he s o di u m a ce ta te . 3 . A dd t he g ol d c hl o ri de . 1 0 0 0 ml 10 gm 1 0 ml

T he so d i u m a ce ta t e ton e r m u s t si t f o r a b o u t 2 4 ho u r s to ri pen bef o re us e 67 to a ll o w t he a c id i c gol d t o b ec o me a c t ive t h ro u g h con ta c t wi t h t he a l ka l in e a ce ta te . T he to n e r s h o ul d

J a m e s , C . ( 2 0 0 2 ) T h e B o o k o f A lt e r n at i v e P h o t o g r a p h i c P r o c e s s e s , D e l m ar , N e w Y o r k . p96
65

F a r b e r , R . ( 1 9 9 8 ) H i s t o r i c P h o t o g r a ph i c P r o c e s s e s : A G u i de t o C r e at i n g H a n d m a de Photographic Images, Allworth Press, New York. p39

66

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p79
67

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6 2

c ha n g e c ol o u r f ro m pa le ye ll o w to clea r a s i t be co m es a c t ive . T his ba t h ca n b e k ep t b u t a d d it io n a l gol d m u st be a d de d a s t he t on in g ef fe c t s l o ws . 1 to 2 m in u te s in t he ba t h wi l l s h o w c ha n g es , 3 t o 5 m in u te s wi l l s u bs ta n t ia ll y c ha n ge t he p rin t .

THIOCYANATE GOLD TONER1.68

D is ti lle d wa te r So di u m t h io c ya n a te Gol d c hl o ri de 1% s o lu t ion M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 0 C. A dd t he s o di u m t hi oc ya n a t e . A dd t he g ol d c hl o ri de . T his t u rn s re d i m m ed ia tel y a n d is r ea d y fo r use wh en t h e sol u t ion is c lea r . 5 0 0 ml 9 gm 35 ml

T his c rea te s a m uc h co ole r co lo u r a n d sha d o w reg ion s a l m os t a p pea r b la c k . T he i ma g es wil l fi rs t b lea c h ba c k by t he t hi o c ya n a te . A s t he gol d is de po si te d o n t he si lve r pa r t ic le s i t in t en s ifi es . T h io c ya n a te t on e rs c on s u m e m o re go ld t ha n o t he r to n e rs d ue to a g re a te r s u b st i t u ti on o f t he s il ve r b y t he g ol d . 69 I t beg in s to los e t h e t on in g a b il i ty a f t er a n u m be r of p ri n ts . T he t on e d p rin t co l o u r te n d s t o b e a bl ue bla c k .

THIOCYANATE GOLD TONER 270

D is ti lle d wa te r So di u m t h io c ya n a te Ta r ta ri c a c i d So di u m c hl o ri de Gol d c hl o ri de 1% s o lu t ion D is ti lle d wa te r t o m a ke 5 0 0 ml 5 0 0 ml 2. 5 g m 1 gm 2.5 gm 1 0 ml

68

Ibid. p79 Ibid.p.76

69

C r a w f o r d , W . ( 1 9 7 9 ) K e e p e r s o f t h e L i g h t , M o r g an & M o r g an , I n c . , N e w Y o r k , U S A . p 156
70

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6 3

M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 6. 7. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 0 C. A dd t he s o di u m t hi oc ya n a t e . A dd ta r ta ri c a ci d . A dd s o di u m c hl o ri d e . A dd t he g ol d c hl o ri de . T his t u rn s re d i m m e dia t el y . A dd wa t e r t o m a ke 5 0 0 ml . I t is rea d y f o r u se w hen t he s ol u t ion i s cle a r.

L ik e t h e t hi oc ya n a t e go ld t on e r No 1 i t wi ll on l y l a s t t he da y t ha t i t is ma de . I t ca n n ot be re us ed . T he t on e d p r in t c o lo u r ten ds t o be a wa r m er bla c k t ha n t hi oc ya n a te go ld t on e r N o 1 . T his t hi o c ya n a te t on e r fo r m u la i s in cl u de d a s is less gol d c hl o ri de in t he s ol u ti on t he re fo re m o re e con o mi ca l .

Pla t in u m T on e r 71 D is ti lle d wa te r a t 3 0 C Po ta ssi u m c h lo r op la tin i te 2 0% Ci t ri c a c i d M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 0 C . A dd t he Po ta ssi u m c hl o r op la tin i te . A dd t he ci t r ic a ci d . T he t on e r i s r ea dy f o r u se wh en co ole d to 2 0 C. 1000 ml 2.5 ml 2.5 gm

T his cr ea tes a b r o w n b la ck ton e . Do n o t ov e r- t on e a s t he r e is a ri s k of dev el op in g ye ll o w h ig h li g h ts . I m p u ri t ies ma y d es t r oy t he b a t h s ton in g a b il i ty t he re fo r e be s u re t he p re - wa s h re m ov e s a ll un re d u ce d s il ve r n i t ra t e a n d o t h e r i on s f ro m t he p rin t .

J a m e s , C . ( 2 0 0 2 ) T h e B o o k o f A lt e r n at i v e P h o t o g r a p h i c P r o c e s s e s , D e l m ar , N e w Y o r k . p99
71

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PALLADIUM TONER72
D is ti lle d wa te r So di u m c hl o ro pa lla di te 1 5 % so l u ti on Ci t ri c a c i d So di u m c hl o ri de M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Hea t d is t ill e d wa t e r to 3 0 C. A dd t he S o di u m c hl o ro pa l la di te . A dd t he ci t r ic a ci d , di sso lv e . A dd t he S o di u m c hl o ri de . U se wh en c oo le d to 2 0 C . 1000 2.5 2.5 2.5 ml ml gm gm

I t c rea tes a b r o wn bla c k to n e, b u t ca r e n ee ds to be ta k en n o t to ov e r t on e a s t he r e is a r is k o f de ve lo pin g y ell o w hi g hl ig h ts . I m p u ri t ies ma y de st r o y t he b a t hs to n in g a bi li t y . T he wa s h m u st clea r t he p r in t of un -r ea c te d s il ve r n i t ra te . T hi s c rea t es a gr e y b r o wn b la c k t o n e.

N B: T he p la tin u m a n d pa lla d i u m ton e r s do n o t gi ve t he m os t a gr eea bl e c ol o u rs on c e r ta in pa pe r s a n d fo r m u la s . Al b u men ma y be co m e q u i te yel lo w. S pli t t on in g wi t h go l d t on er s fol lo we d b y p la tin u m o r pa l la di u m g iv es t he p rin t s a n ex t ra de p t h of co lo u r . O n ly a fe w s ec on ds ma y b e r eq u i re d in t he pla t in u m o r pa l la d i u m . Te s tin g is s t r o n gl y s ug ges t ed be f o re pla c in g t he p r in t in to t he t on e rs . N B: W hen s pl i t ton in g , go l d t on e r s m us t be us ed be fo r e t he a ci d ic p la tin u m o r pa lla di u m ton e rs . T he a c id wi ll sl o w o r a c t ua l l y s to p t he a c ti vi t y o f t he a l ka lin e gol d ton e rs . W a s h fo r a t le a s t 2 m in u tes b et we en ea c h t on in g sol u t ion . T he t on in g b a t h s h o ul d b e a t 1 8 C t o 2 2 C . Pl a c e p rin t in ba t h fo r 1 up t o 1 0 min u te s wi t h con st a n t a gi ta ti on . 2 t o 5 min u te s wi l l gi ve y o u p r o te c ti on wi t h so m e c ol o u r c ha n ge. F o r ea c h o f t he t on e rs y o u p la n to u se , p r in t fi ve st ep e d ge s . Pla ce a l l in t he ton e r a n d re m o ve on e a t 2 m in u tes , t he n ex t a t 4 m in u te s, 6 m in u tes , a n d 1 0 m in u tes . I f t he te s t a re c o r re c tl y p r oc e sse d t he t on e d s te p we dge s wi ll a c t a s a pe r ma n en t r ec o r d a n d us ef u l g ui de f o r f u t u re to n in g .

F a r b e r , R . ( 1 9 9 8 ) H i s t o r i c P h o t o g r a ph i c P r o c e s s e s : A G u i de t o C r e at i n g H a n d m a de Photographic Images, Allworth Press, New York. p41

72

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6 5

En s u re t he re is a de q ua te b u t lo w in ca n des cen t lig h t in g to vie w t he to n in g p r oc ess . Ab o u t 2 5 wa t t a t 1 . 0 m d is ta n ce is fi n e. Co m pa rin g a d u p li ca te p r in t in t he wa s h wa te r bes id e t h e to n in g p r in t hel ps see s h if ts in t h e c o lo u r . Ta ke in to a c c o un t t he c ol o u r d if fe ren ce wh e n t he p rin t is d rie d . Ex pe r ien c e is t he bes t g u i de . Pe n ci lle d ton in g de ta ils on t he ba c k of t he p rin t wi ll p r ov i de i n va l ua b le f u t u re re fe ren ce . If t he n o r ma l ti m e f o r c ol o u r c ha n ge ha s do u b le d , i t mea n s t he ton in g ba t h is b e c o min g d ep le te d. I t i s in a c ti ve wh e n i t i s ex ha us t ed . Kee p t h e ton in g ba t h a n d fix e r b a t h a p a r t . Des ign a t e a t ra y f o r gol d t on in g on l y . E v en a m ic r os c op i c a m o un t o f fix e r wi ll sp oi l t he ex pe n si ve g ol d t on e r a n d t he p rin t . 73 W a s h t he p r in t a f te r t on in g fo r a t l ea s t 4 m in u te s in ta p wa te r . Cha n g e t h e wa te r t ra y a t lea s t 3 ti me s d u r in g t h is pe r io d to en s u re t he to n in g sol u t ion d oes n o t con ta m in a te t h e fi xer . Con ta m in a te d fi xe r wi l l eff ec t t he s ta b i li t y of t he p rin t . N B: T he t hi o cy a n a te ton e r ca n c ha n ge t he fi xe r t o a s ul p h u r o us sta t e . E x t ra wa s h in g a f te r ton in g is re q ui r e d be fo re p la c i n g in t he f ixe r . C ha n ge t he f ix in g b a t h m o re fre q uen t l y wh en u sin g t hi s t on e r . T he s iz e, s ha pe a n d dis ta n ce b et ween t he sil ve r pa r ti c les a n d t he r ef ra c ti on of m ed i u m t he y a re d i s pe rs ed in wil l i n fl u en ce t he p r in t co lo u r . T h e g ol d t on in g m o dif ies t h e i m a ge c ol o u r b y c ha n g in g t he si ze a n d s ha pe of t he sil ve r pa r ti c les b y re pl a c in g s il ve r a t o ms wi t h g ol d a t o ms . T hi s en la rg e men t ma ke s t h e i ma g e lo ok co ol e r a n d mo r e n eu t ra l in t on e . I f gol d c hl o ri de ( I I I ) wa s us ed fo r t on i n g , t h ree a t o ms of si lv e r wo ul d be re pl a c ed b y on e a t o m o f g ol d . 74 The i ma g e wo u ld t hen a p pea r r e dd is h in co lo u r a n d fla t in a p pea ra n ce . 75 By ma kin g t he ton e r a l ka l in e t hi s r e d uc es t he s ta te o f g ol d ( I I I ) t o g ol d

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p79
73 74

W a r e , M . J . ( 2 0 0 6 . ) G o l d i n P h o t o g r a ph y ., f f o t o f f i l m p u b l i s h i n g , B r i g h t o n , U K . p 1 1 0

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr ac t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p79
75

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6 6

( I) . T he a t o ms o f g ol d t hen re pla ce o n e o f t he si lve r , 76 t h us re s ul tin g in a c oo le r c ol o u r a n d t h e t on a l ra n ge in ta c t . 77 Ch ec k t he p H o f t h e t on e r to en s u re c on si s ten c y a n d t h a t i t re ma in s a lk a li n e . I f t he ton e r is to o a l ka lin e i t wi l l : o o o o L ose i t s t on in g ca pa ci t y mo r e ra p id l y. Ton e m u c h fa s te r. Po ssi b l y s to p ton in g if to o ex t re m e . P ro d u ce bl ue g r e y c ol o u rs wh i c h a re n o t a s plea sa n t.

SELENIUM TONING T his is a n un sa t is fa c t o r y ton e r f o r sa l t o r a l b u m en p rin t s ei t he r be fo re o r a f t er fi xin g . T h is is d ue to t h e tin y pa r t i cle s lo w a bs o rb in g po w er ; t he si lv er s ele n id e a n d s il ve r s u lfi de wh i c h be co m e s e m i - t ra n s pa ren t t he i ma ge a p pea r s t o h a ve been bl ea c h e d. 78 HEAT TONING T his is c a r rie d o u t a ft e r t h e p r in t ha s been p r oc ess e d , wa sh ed a n d d rie d . He a tin g to n in g ca n be a c hi e ve d b y us in g a h o t ir on wi t h p a p e r b e t ween t he p ri n t a n d t h e ir on . T h e te m pe ra t u re ca n be se t on s il k o r co t t on . A d r y m o un tin g hea t p res s ca p t u res t h e mo is t u re a s we ll a s a p p ly in g h ea t. A g re a te r to n in g eff ec t i s fo u n d usin g t h e d r y m o un tin g p re ss , t he p rin t co lo u r c oo ls c on s i de ra bl y . In a n s we r t o m y q ue r y on t he co lo u r c ha n g e M i ke W a r e s ug ges t s t h e p a r t i cle s m a y be cl u m p in g to ge t he r o r i t is l i k el y t o b e a lt e rin g t he ex t e n t o f su l p hi din g o n t he su r fa ce of t he si lv er n a n - pa r ti cl es . T he se co lo u r s wil l b e ve r y sen si t ive t o t he s t a te o f t he s u rfa ce .

THE FIXER
T a l bo t i n i t i al l y s t a b i lis e d h is p r i nt s w it h s tro ng s o d i u m c h lo r i d e s o l u t io ns . T h is d i d no t r e mo v e th e u ne x po s e d s il ve r

76

W a r e , M . J . ( 2 0 0 6 . ) G o l d i n P h o t o g r a ph y ., f f o t o f f i l m p u b l i s h i n g , B r i g h t o n , U K . p 1 1 0

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p78
77

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6 7

c h lo r i d e b u t c h a ng e d i t in to a les s s ens i t i ve fo r m . 79 So d i um t h io s ul f a t e w as d is co ve r e d by S ir Jo h n He rs c he l i n 1 8 1 9 , h e fo u n d i t w o ul d d is s o lv e s i l ve r s a l t s . Fo l lo w i ng He rs he l s s ug ges t io n in 1 8 3 9 T a l bo t s u c ces s f u l l y c le a re d s i l ve r c hlo ri d e fro m h is pr i n ts t h u s s t a bi l is i ng t he m p er m a ne n t l y . S ti l l t o d a y s o d i u m a n d a m mo n i u m t hi o s u l f a t e ar e us e d as f i xe rs i n bo t h p ri n t i ng a n d de ve lo p i ng - o u t p ro ces s es . T he p u r po se of f ix in g is to r e mo ve t he si lv e r c hl o ri de a n d ot h e r lig h t -se n si t iv e s u bs ta n ce s wh i c h ma y b e p res en t. T h e p H of t h e ba t h is i m p o r ta n t . A dd in g s od i u m ca r b on a te ma kes t h e sol u t ion a lk a li n e t h us re d u cin g t h e bl ea c h in g e ffe c t o f t he fixe r . T h is a l so s t op s a c id s f ro m de co m p os in g t he s od iu m t hi os u lfa t e a n d l i be ra ti n g s u l p h u r. An a ci d fix e r ba t h s ca us e s bl ea c h in g i n t he h ig hl ig h t s a n d mi d - to n es by a t ta c kin g t he fin e s il ve r me ta ll ic pa r ti cle s . 80 T he rea son c o m m er c ia l f ix er s a re n o t s ui ta bl e fo r sa l t p r in t in g.

FIXER
Wa t e r So di u m t h ios u lf a t e So di u m ca r bon a t e Wa t e r t o m a ke M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t t he 7 5 0 m l o f wa t er t o 3 0 C . A dd t he s o di u m t hi os ul fa te . A dd t he s o di u m ca r bon a t e. A dd wa t e r t o m a ke 1 0 0 0 m l. 7 5 0 ml 150 gm 2. 5 g m 1 0 0 0 ml

NB : M a ke t hi s fixe r j us t be fo r e us in g to mi n i m ise de co m p os i ti on . S o d iu m t h io s ulf a te in i ts d r y fo r m i s r ela t i vel y sta b le . I t i s un s t a bl e wh en d iss ol ve d in wa te r , s l o wl y de co m p os in g to s o d iu m s ul p hi t e a n d e l em en ta l s u l p h u r. 81 U sa ge : 1 . M a in ta in t he te m pe ra t u re o f t h e fix in g sol u ti on to b e t wee n 1 8 C to 2 0 C.

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 8 3
79 80

Ibid.p84 Ibid.p83
6 8

81

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ro ce ssi n g t he p rin t

2 . U se t wo s u c ces si ve fixin g ba t h s . Ag i t a te f o r 4 min u te s in ea c h ba t h . T he 2 ba t hs he l p t o m a xi m is e pe r ma n en c e . 3 . D ra in fo r a t le a s t 5 sec on ds be t wee n ba t hs .

T he t wo ba t hs a r e es sen tia l a s t hi os ul fa te io n s m u s t be p res en t in e xc ess o r in s ol u b le c o m plex e s a re f o r me d wh i c h a re on l y s ol u ble in f res h t hi os u lfa te : 1 . In t he fi r s t ba t h si l ve r - t h io s ulf a t e c o m pl exes f o r m a n d m os tl y di sso lv e . 2 . In t he se co n d ba t h a n y re si d ua l in so l u bl e c o m pl exes a re re m ov e d . P ro lon ge d f ix in g c a n da ma ge t he p r in t a s t he t h i os ul fa t e pen e t ra t es t he p a p e r f ib r es a n d be c o m es d iff i c ul t to re m o ve. 82 T he ex t ra si lve r p re sen t in sa l te d p a pe rs ra pi d ly ex h a us t s fix in g ba t hs so a m a xi m u m o f t we n t y 8 x1 0 p rin ts i s a d vi sa bl e in e a c h l i t re o f fi xe r . TES T TO S EE IF F IX E R I S EX H AU S TE D

KODAK FIXER TEST SOLUTION FT1

Wa t e r Po ta ssi u m io d id e M et h o d: 1 . Hea t wa te r to 3 8 C . 2 . A dd po ta ssi u m io d i de . 3 . I t is rea d y f o r u se w hen di sso lv e d a n d c oo le d t o 2 0 C . 1 0 0 ml 19 gm

U sa ge : 1 . A dd 5 d ro ps o f tes t sol u t ion t o 5 d ro ps of f ixin g ba t h . 2 . A dd 5 d ro ps o f wa te r . 3 . T he fi xe r is ex ha u s te d i f a wh i tis h ye l lo w p re ci pi ta t e fo r ms i m me dia t el y . Re pla c e f ixe r ba t h .

82

Ibid.p84

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6 9

WASHING THE PRINT

A r esi d u e of t hi os ul fa te wi ll e ven t ua ll y d ec o m po s e a n d deg r a d e t he p rin ts a n d wi t h hig h l ev el s , s ul fi din g of t he s ilv e r i ma ge wi l l o cc u r ov er t i me . 83 Wa s h bef o re h y p o cle a rin g t rea t men t . W a s h t he p r in ts f o r 4 m in u tes , c ha n gin g t he wa t er ba t h a t lea st t wi c e be fo r e t r ea t in g wi t h a h y po c lea r in g a gen t. T h is wa s h re m ov es a la rg e po r ti on of t h e fix e r a n d a vo id s ove r lo a d in g t he me c ha n is m of h y po re m ov a l . 84

THE CLEARING AGENT

T he un p r o te c te d wa te r c ol o u r pa pe r ba se of sa l t ed pa pe r a n d a lb u m en pr in ts a llo ws a g re a te r a bs o r pt io n of so di u m t hi os u lfa t e t ha n c o m me r cia ll y p r od u ce d d eve lo p i n g -o u t pa pe rs . A c lea r in g a gen t is ess en tia l a s wa te r i s n o t eff ec ti ve a t re m o vin g e ven l o w l eve ls of so d i u m t h io s ul fa te. A wa sh in g a id kn o wn a s h yp o cle a rin g a gen t is t h ere fo r e n ec essa r y A wa s hin g a i d , m o r e co m m on l y kn o w a s h y po clea r in g a g en t , con sis t s of 1 % s ol u ti on o f so d i u m s ul p hi t e .

CLEARING AGENT
Wa t e r So di u m s ul p hi te M et h o d: 1 . Hea t wa te r to 3 0 C . 2 . A dd s o di u m s u l p hi t e. U se wh en d is so lve d a n d te m pe ra t u re i s a p p rox i ma te l y 2 0 C . 1 0 0 0 ml 10 gm

To U se : Pla ce p r in ts in ba t h a n d a g it a t e f o r 4 m in ut es . D is ca rd e d a f te r ma x i m u m of 2 0 8x 1 0 p rin ts . T h e re is a p p rox i ma te l y t h e sa me ra te of ex ha u s ti on a s s o di u m t hi os u lfa t e f ixe r .

L a v e d r i n e , B . ( 2 0 0 3 ) A G u i d e t o t h e P r e v e n t at i v e C o n s e r v at i o n o f P h o t o g r a p h i c C o l le c t i o n s , The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles USA . p220

83

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7 0

Wa s hin g a l on e wi ll n o t clea r o u t t he so di u m t h io s ul fa te . To re d u ce t he ri sk of p rin ts de co m p os i n g t he u se o f a h y po cle a rin g a ge n t is e ssen tia l . I t a s sis t s in t he m o re c o m p le te re m ov a l of sil ve r - t hi os u lfa t e c o m pl ex es . T he h y po c lea rin g a gen t r ep la ces t he t hi os u lfa t e ion s wi t h sul fa te i on s wh i c h a re ea si ly e li m in a te d in t he wa s h .

THE FINAL WASH

In s u ff ic ien t wa s hin g is s ti ll t he ma in c a us e of de te r io ra t io n of a ll p h o t og ra p hs . Fa c to r s fo r c ri ti ca l wa sh in g : o o o o o Ag i ta ti on . Wa t e r r ep la ce men t d u rin g t h e wa s h . Wa t e r ha r dn ess . Te m pe ra t u re a bo ve 2 0 C . Ti me i t ta ke s f o r t h e fi xe r to d if f use o u t of t he pa p er in t o t he wa te r . 85

So di u m t hi os u lfa te is h ea v ie r t ha n wa te r . I t sin k s a n d n ee d s to be re m ov ed . W a s he r s wi t h a t o p ove r fl o w wi ll n ot be su ff ic ien t , 86 t h e ref o r e a g i ta ti on is re q u i r ed . Be pe da n t ic a b o u t wa s hin g yo u r ha n ds t h o ro u g hl y . con ta m in a te d wi t h c he m i ca l res i d ue s ta i n p rin ts . H a n ds

De pen d in g o n t he t hi c kn e ss o f t h e p a pe r , t h e p r in ts s h o ul d re ce ive a t lea s t a 3 0 - m in u te wa s h . H ea vi e r p a p e rs a n d m o re den s el y coa t ed pa pe rs s uc h a s a lb u men wi ll re q u i re l on ge r wa s h t i mes t ha n pla in sa l te d p rin ts . Con s ta n t r un n in g w a te r is n o t n e ces sa r y t o a c hi eve a n a r c h iva l wa s h. Con se r ve wa te r a n d en e rg y b y u s in g a t wo t ra y s ys te m of wa s h in g . Pla ce a ma x i m u m o f 6 p r in t s in a t ra y o f wa r m wa t er 1 5 C to 1 8C . T he t ra y n ee ds t o be a t l ea s t do u b le t he si ze o f t he p r in ts . Ag i ta te t he t ra y fo r 5 m in u te s . Ge n tl y sh u ff l e t h e p r in ts s o ea c h ha s mo ve m e n t o f wa t e r a c r oss t he su r fa ce . D ra in ea c h p ri n t a n d pla ce o n e b y on e in t h e c lea n t ra y o f wa t e r. Ag i ta te a n d s h uf fle a ga i n fo r 5 m in u tes . Re pea t

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 8 9
84

L a v e d r i n e , B . ( 2 0 0 3 ) A G u i d e t o t h e P r e v e n t at i v e C o n s e r v at i o n o f P h o t o g r a p h i c C o l le c t i o n s , The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles USA. p220

85

E p h r a u m s , E . ( 1 9 9 5 ) C r e a t i v e E l e m e n t s , 2 1 s t C e n t u r y P u b l i s h i n g L t d , L o n d o n G r e at Britain.p145
86

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7 1

t hi s p r o cess fo r a t lea s t 6 to 1 2 c h a n g es of wa t e r. 87 Af te r t he fi rs t t wo c ha n ges t h e wa te r ca n be use d sa fel y in t he g a r d e n . If i ma ge s a re t es t p r in t s a 5 m in u te wa s h i s a de q ua te .

TES TS FO R R ES I DU A L SO D IU M TH IO SU L F AT E

KODAK HYPO TEST SOLUTION HT1A

D is ti lle d wa te r Po ta ssi u m pe r m a n g a n a te So di u m h y d ro xi de D is ti lle d wa te r t o m a ke M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t 1 8 0 m l wa te r t o 2 0 C . A dd po ta ssi u m pe r ma n ga n a te , d iss ol ve . A dd t he S o di u m h y d r oxi de . A dd wa t e r t o m a ke 2 5 0 ml . 1 8 0 ml 0.3 gm 0.6 gm 2 5 0 ml

T o U se : 1 . D il u te 1 ml o f t he s ol u ti on in 1 2 5 ml of wa te r . 2 . Po u r 1 5 ml of t he pr epa re d s ol u t ion in t o a g la s s c on ta in e r. 3 . Ta ke t h e p r in t f ro m t he wa s h t ra y . 4 . Al lo w t o d r ip f o r 3 0 se c on d s in to t he s o lu t ion . T he res i d ua l fix e r wil l c h a n ge t h e sol u t ion f ro m p u r pl e t o o ra n ge in 3 0 se co n ds . I t b ec o me s c ol o u rle ss a ga in in on e m in u te .

T he f oll o wi n g f o r m u la t es ts i f t h e wa s h in g p ro ce d u r e is a de q ua te l y re m ov in g t h e s od i u m t hi os ul fa te . If t h e re i s m o re t ha n 0 . 0 0 9g / m 2 , b r o wn s ta in in g wi ll oc c u r . T h e t hi os u lfa te a n d t he de co m p os it io n by - p ro d u c ts p r o d u ce si lv e r s ul p h id e , fo r me d by t he rea c ti on wi t h t he si lv e r n it ra te . 88 The i n t en s it y of t he s ta i n in di ca te s t he a m o un t of re si d ua l fixe r in t h e p r i n t .

87

A d a m s , A . ( 1 9 9 4 ) T h e P r i n t , L i t t l e , B r o w n a n d C o m p a n y , T o r o n t o C a n ad a . p 1 3 5

L a v e d r i n e , B . ( 2 0 0 3 ) A G u i d e t o t h e P r e v e n t at i v e C o n s e r v at i o n o f P h o t o g r a p h i c C o l le c t i o n s , The Getty Conservation Instit ute, Los Angeles USA.p224

88

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7 2

KODAK HYPO TEST HT-2

D is ti lle d wa te r 2 8 % a ce t i c a c id Sil ve r n i t ra t e D is ti lle d wa te r t o m a ke M et h o d: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hea t t he 7 5 0 m l wa t er to 2 0 C . A dd 2 8 % a ce t i c a c id . A dd t he S il ve r n i t ra te . A dd wa t e r t o m a ke 1 0 0 0 ml . 7 5 0 ml 1 2 5 ml 7.5 gm 1 0 0 0 ml

T o U se : T his me t h o d te s ts t he wh o le p rin t a n d is ti m e con s u min g , b u t in d i ca te s t he wa s hi n g t i me re q u i re d. M a ke 6 s ma l l p r in ts a n d on t he ba ck of ea c h wr i te : a) b) c) d) e) f) 1 5 min s wa s h 2 0 min s wa s h 3 0 min s wa s h 4 0 min s wa s h 6 0 min s wa s h Ref e ren ce p r in t (n o t to be tes te d in t he a bo ve s ol u t ion )

1 . P ro ce ss n o r ma ll y , i n cl u d in g t he h yp o c lea r. 2 . U se t h e 2 t ra y wa s h sy st e m . 3. Agitating and changing water each 5 minutes for the first 15 minutes. 4 . A t 1 5 m in u tes of wa sh t a ke o ut t he p rin t ma r ke d 1 5 m in . 5 . In s u b d ue d li g h t p la ce d in t he si lv e r n i t ra te s ol u t ion . 6 . Ag i ta te f or 4 m in u te s. 7 . Re m ove a n d pla ce i n a t ra y o f 5 % s o d iu m c h lo r i de , a gi ta t e fo r 4 m in u te s . 8 . Ch ec k f o r s ta i n s . ( T o ke ep s a m ple s , re fi x a n d wa s h . ) 89 9 . Con tin u e t h is p ro ce d u re wi t h a ll t he te st p rin t s EX CE PT t h e re fe ren ce p ri n t , wa sh in g , a gi ta tin g a n d c ha n g in g wa t e r u p to t he ti m e m a r ke d on t he ba ck of t he p rin t . Wh en t h e p r in t s h o ws n o s ign o f s ta i n in g i t t he r ef o re h a s no so di u m t h io s ul fa te p res en t t h us i n d i ca tin g yo u r id ea l wa s h ti m e. A ll o w a f u r t he r 1 0 min s of wa sh ti me to e n s u re y o u r p rin t s wi l l en d u re t he te st of ti m e.

89

A d a m s , A . ( 1 9 9 4 ) T h e P r i n t , L i t t l e , B r o w n a n d C o m p a n y , T o r o n t o C a n ad a . p 2 0 3

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7 3

M a ke s u r e ha n d s a r e s c r u p ul o us l y cl ea n b ef o re re m ov in g t he p rin t f r o m t he f in a l wa s h . D r yin g ra c k o r pe gs f o r h a n gi n g m u st be f r ee f r o m c on ta min a t ion . S ta in s a t t he l a s t st a ge o f t he p ro ce ss ca n be de va s ta ti n g . T he wo r k , t i me a n d c os ts in v ol ve d a r e a ll wa s te d , es pe cia ll y i f t h e p rin t ha s been go l d o r pl a tin u m ton e d.

DRYING
1 . Ai r d ry b y ha n g in g wi t h pe gs on a d r yi n g lin e in a p ro t ec te d en vi r on m en t . 2 . Pla ce on d r yin g ra c k s fa ce - u p a f te r a l lo wi n g t he p rin ts to d ri p o ve r t he da r k ro o m s in k. 3 . Hea t d r y us in g a ha i r d r y e r. T he p rin t wi ll c ha n ge co lo u r a s i t d r ie s , be c o min g co ole r a n d da r ke r . T he sil ve r p a r ti c les a re a bs o r bi n g m o re vis i ble l ig h t a s t he y pa c k cl ose r t og et he r .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | P ro ce ssi n g t he p rin t

7 4

10.

S T O R AG E

AND

F R A MI NG

C HAPTER 10

T he s ma ll pa r ti cl e s of s il ve r in p r i n ti n g - o u t pa p e rs c rea t e gr ea t d et a il b u t i t is t hei r ve r y min us c ule si ze wh i c h ma kes t he m v uln e r a b le . I ma ge d eg ra da ti on by va ri o us c he m ica l co m p o un ds in t he a t m os p he re o r i n a d eq ua te p ro ce ssin g ma y ca use oxi da t ion . T hi s ca n a p pea r a s fa d in g , s ta in in g a n d di sc ol o u ra ti on . 90 U sin g c o r re c t p r o c essin g me t h od s of con se rv a t io n s to ra ge , f ra min g me t ho ds a n d ma te r ia ls wi l l a ssi st in p ro te c ti n g t he sa l t a n d a lb u men p rin ts f o r m a n y yea r s.

S TO R A G E
U n f ra me d i ma g es t ha t re q ui re l on g t er m s t o ra ge s h o ul d be pla ce d i n a r c h iva l m u se u m box es to be ke p t c o ol , da r k a n d d r y. So la n de r box es a re p ro d u ce d spe c ifi ca ll y f o r t hi s p u r pos e . H u m i di t y con t r ol i s t he mo s t i mp o r ta n t fa c to r in t he st o ra g e a r ea . Re si d u a l c he m i ca l s in t he pa pe r a n d e m ul si on a re a ffe c te d b y hi g h mo is t u re c on ten t en c o u ra gin g m o ul d g r o wt h . 91 Hig h te m pe ra t u re s in c re a se t he r ea c ti on o f t he c he m ica l s of t he p r in t. A ri ses i n t e m pe ra t u re of 1 0 C ca n d o u ble t h e ra t e of c h e mi ca l r ea c t io n . Po l yp r o p ylen e a n d M yl a r a re c o m ple t el y in e r t a n d o ffe r p ro t ec t ion f or ha n dl in g a n d s to r a ge of n ega t iv es a n d p rin t s . Con s e rva t ion boa r d s p ro m o te t he l on g e vi t y o f t he p rin t , a s do t he f ol lo win g m e t ho ds a n d m a te ria ls us ed to con ta in a n d h ol d t he p rin t . 1 . 1 0 0 % c o t ton ra g m a t t is t he p u re s t fo r m o f c el l ul ose . 92 En s u re t he re a r e n o c he m i ca l i m p u ri t ies in t he m o un tin g ma te ria ls . M y la r c o rn e rs h o ld t he i m a ge in pla ce , a l lo wi n g p rin t re m ov a l wi t h o u t d a ma ge .

L a v e d r i n e , B . ( 2 0 0 3 ) A G u i d e t o t h e P r e v e n t at i v e C o n s e r v at i o n o f P h o t o g r a p h i c C o l le c t i o n s , The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles USA. p6

90

Ke e f e , L a u r e n c e E . I n c h , D e n n i s 1 9 9 0 , T h e L i fe o f a P h o t o g r a ph , A r c h i v a l P r o c e s s i n g Matting Framing Storage, 2nd edition Focal Press, USA. p 247

91 92

L a m b , A . R . ( 1 9 9 9 ) F r a m i n g P h o t o g r ap h y , C o l u m b a P u b l i s h i n g , O h i o , U S A . p 5 1

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | S to ra ge a n d F r a m in g

7 5

2 . Hin ge d m a t bo a rd s c a n b e o pen e d f o r re m ov a l o f p r in t a n d to in sp ec t fo r da ma g e s uc h a s f a din g, in se c ts o r m o ul d . 3 . M a t ts s e pa ra te t he p rin t f r o m t he g la ss in t he f ra m e. 4 . T he s ta n da r d is a ti on of m a t si ze s a l lo ws ea s ie r s t o ra g e un de r con t r ol le d c o n di t ion s. 93 5 . T he s ign a t u re o f t he a r t is t / p ho t og ra p he r m u s t be on t he p r in t, n o t t he m a t bo a r d . T his ca n b e on t he re ve r se of t he p r in t , e n s u r e it i s o u ts i de t h e i ma ge a rea o r on t he fr on t bel o w t h e i ma ge , us e a so ft pen c il . T he in f or m a ti on a bo u t t he p r in t s h o ul d a l so be in cl u de d , t he t yp e of p rin t , i. e. sa l t o r a l b u men , ton in g use d a n d t he da te p ho t og ra p h ed a n d da t e p ri n t ed is a ls o u sef u l. St o ra ge s ho u l d p r o t ec t p r in t s a n d n ega t ive s f ro m h ig h h u m id i t y , te m pe r a t u re , ul t ra vi ole t ra di a ti on , in s ec t s, m o ul d a n d c h e mi ca l a t ta c k f r o m a t mo sp h e re a n d s u r ro u n d in g ma te r ia l s. C a rp e ts , d ra pes a n d o t he r fa b ri cs s h o ul d be a v oi de d in st o ra ge a rea s . T h ey a bs o rb m oi st u r e in h ig h h u m id i t y a n d re lea s e i t in to t he a ir . 94

FRAMING
Wh e t he r f ra m in g f o r ex h ib i ti on o r f o r p er son a l u se , t h e ma te r ia l s u se d a re c ri t i ca l in de te r m in i n g t he lif e of t he p r in t . Ca u ses of da ma g e t o p ri n t s a re ef fe c ts of h u mi d i ty , a i r po ll u t ion , hea t , b io l ogi ca l a t ta c ks a n d l i gh t . L ig h t da m a ge de pen ds on t h re e fa c to rs : 1 . Il l u mi n a n c e. 2 . T he t i me i t is ex po s ed to l ig h t . 3 . T he s pe c t ra l co m p o si ti on of t he lig h t . As pe r t he re c ip r o ci t y l a w o f p h o to c he m i ca l a c ti on , da ma ge ca use d b y l ig h t is r ela te d d i re c tl y t o t he p r o d u ct o f t he ill u m in a n ce a n d t he t i me of t he e xp os u re o f t he i ma g e t o t he

Ke e f e , L a u r e n c e E . I n c h , D e n n i s 1 9 9 0 , T h e L i fe o f a P h o t o g r a ph , A r c h i v a l P r o c e s s i n g Matting Framing Storage, 2nd edition Focal Press, USA. p.99

93 94I b i d .

p248

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7 6

lig h t . T his m ea n s i f il l u mi n a n c e i s d o u bl ed , t he t i me wh ic h da ma ge o c c u rs is ha lve d . 95 As t he wa ve len g t h dec r ea se s t he des t r u c ti ve p o we r o f l ig h t in c re a ses . T h e r is k da ma ge i s g rea te r in t he b l ue a n d t he ul t ra vi ol e t reg ion s. T he l eve l o f u l t ra v iol e t is s ma l l co m p a re d wi t h t he vis i ble reg ion b u t i t i s ex t re me l y de s t r uc t iv e. 96 L ig h t ra ys s h o r te r t ha n 5 0 0 n a n o me t res p r ov id e en o u g h en e r gy to seve r o rga n ic bon d s in pa pe r . 97 No c on s er va ti on t r ea t men t ca n re st o re l ig h t - da ma g ed ma te r ia l . U V ra dia t ion ca n b e con t r ol le d b y : 1 . Fil t ra t ion wi t h con s er va ti on g la s s o r Pe rs pe x t rea te d t o bl o ck up t o 9 7 % o f U V . S ta n da r d c le a r gla s s bl oc k s a bo u t 4 7 % of t he da ma gin g ra y s in 3 0 0- 3 8 0 n m ra n g e. 2 . Re d uc in g t he l ig h t i n ten si t y le ve l 3 . Re d uc e t h e d u ra t ion o f t h e ex pos u r e .

95

Ibid.p12 C I B S L i g h t i n g G u i d e M u s e u m s a n d A r t G a l le r i e s , I E S P u b l i c at i o n s , L o n d o n , 1 9 8 8 p 1 3 Ibid. p11

96

97

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7 7

Ext r e mes c ha n ges i n te m pe r a t u r e o ve r a sh o r t pe ri o d o f ti m e c rea te con den sa ti o n . In a i r wi t h h u m id i t y h ig he r t ha n 6 0 % , gela t in a n d a l b u me n a r e fe r ti le c ul t u r e me di a i dea l fo r f un g a l gr o wt h . Ha n dl in g p h o tog r a p h i c ma te r i a ls wi t h o ut g lo ves ma y lea v e fin ge r oi ls deg r a d in g t he s u r fa c e a n d c r ea tin g a n en vi r on men t fo r f u n g us . 98 If co t t on l in t f r ee g lo ves a re n o t a va i la ble , wa s h a n d t ho r o ug h ly d r y ha n ds be fo re ha n d lin g p ho t og ra p hs . Co c k r oa c h es a n d si lv e rf is h a ls o t h r ive on ge l a ti n a n d a l b u m en s hig h p ro te in con ten t i n t he p rin t , des t r o yin g t he i m a ge wh i le ea t i n g t he p ro t ein . 99 D ue to t he pr o te in l a ye r in a lb u m en p ri n ts a n d sa l t p rin ts wi t h ge la tin bin de r s, n on - b uf fe re d 1 0 0 % c o t ton m u se u m boa r d a r e s ug ges te d . 100 Pla i n s a l t p rin t s a re be t te r p ro t ec te d us in g a l ka l in e b uf fe re d b o a r ds d ue to t he i r su sc ep t i b i li t y to a e r ia l ox i da ti on . 101

T i m e L i f e 1 9 7 2 C a r i n g f o r P h o t o g r a ph s D i s p l ay , S t o r a g e an d R e s t o r at i o n , T i m e L i f e Inc USA. p60

98

T i m e L i f e 1 9 7 2 C a r i n g f o r P h o t o g r a ph s D i s p l ay , S t o r a g e an d R e s t o r at i o n , T i m e L i f e Inc USA. p18

99 100

L a m b , A . R . ( 1 9 9 9 ) F r a m i n g P h o t o g r ap h y , C o l u m b a P u b l i s h i n g , O h i o , U S A . p 2 2

W a r e , M . J . ( 1 9 9 4 ) M e c h a n i s m o f I m ag e D e t e r i o r at i o n i n E ar l y P h o t o g r a ph s - t h e s e n s i t i v i t y t o L i g h t o f W H F T a l b o t 's h al i de - fi x e d I m ag e s 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 4 4 , S c i e n c e M u s e u m an d N a t i o n a l M u s e u m o f P h o t o g r a p h y , F i l m & T e l e v i s i o n , B r ad f o r d , L o n d o n . p 5 8
101

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11.

P R OB L EMS

C HAPTER 11

Sa l t p rin t in g ca n be q ui t e f r us t ra t in g d u e to i ts in he ren t sen si t iv i t y t o n u me r us s u b st a n c es . T hi s c rea te s a n u m be r of exa s pe ra tin g res u l ts in c l u din g d if fe ren t t y pes of st a in in g . T hi s c ha p te r li s ts s pe ci fi c p r o ble m s a n d of fe rs po ssi b le s ol u ti on s .

PROBLEM
Sa l t pr in ts a re f la t a n d we a k . Yo u ca n n ot ge t a bla c k .

CAUSE
Th e n e g a t i v e i s n o t dense enough to allow long enough exposures to convert silver salts to metallic silver. Th e n e g a t i v e d o e s n o t have enough separation in the high-lights or shadows. Negative lacks contrast.

S O L U TI O N S
Increase the contrast by using potassium dichromate in the salt solution. Create a new negative.

Re-shoot or remake negative.

Tr y p o t a s s i u m d i c h r o m a t e t o increase the contrast, or remake a denser negative. P a p e r m u s t b e e x p o s e d wi t h i n 2 hours of sensitization. Less if the relative humidity ( RH) i s h i g h e r t h a n 60 % . P a p e r m u s t b e e x p o s e d wi t h i n 1 hour of sensitisation if RH i s h i g h e r t h a n 60 % . Wash the rod between each coating of silver. Brush may need replacement.

Humidity.

Sensitized paper left too long before exposure. Th e r o d o r b r u s h u s e d for coating the silver nitrate solution is contaminated with salt solution.

Po o r t on a l ra n ge

Th e n e g a t i v e r e q u i r e s more density and is not representing the tonal range of the scene.

Re-shoot or remake the negative.

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PROBLEM
Stains

CAUSE
Fixer exhausted. Wet hands on sensitized print before, during or after exposure. Print left too long in the first water bath, excess silver nitrate in the water causes stains. P r i n t n o t wa s h e d l o n g enough in the first wash. Th e a b s o r p t i o n i n t o t h e paper is uneven.

S O L U TI O N
Replace fixer. To w e l d r y h a n d s , h a n d s s h o u l d a l w a ys b e d r y w h e n handing the paper. Keep agitating bath and change water at least every 2 minutes for the first 5 minutes. Excess silver nitrate still in t h e p r i n t , f i r s t wa s h m u s t b e at least 20 minutes in total. Size paper or use gelatin in the salt solution. Make sure the paper and the solution are at the same temperature. C l e a n wo r k i n g s u r f a c e . M a k e the paper large enough so the coating solution is not near the edge. W a s h t r a ys , a n d a l l o c a t e t r a ys f o r u s e o f c e r t a i n chemicals. Use a timer to ensure correct fixing time. Replace fixer, use sodium carbonate to make fixer alkaline.

Th e s a l t s o l u t i o n h a s migrated to the back of the paper during coating, drawing the silver through the back. Tr a y s a r e c o n t a m i n a t e d .

Yellowing of the print or yellow s tains

Print too long in fixer .

Fixer has decomposed and /or is acetic. Sensitized paper kept too long before exposing.

Pa pe r m us t be ex po sed wi t h in 1 ho u r o f sen si t i sa t ion i f t he RH i s hi g he r t ha n 6 0% .

Ensure fixer is fresh, uncontaminated and fixing time is adequate.

Dark mottled stains

Inadequate fixing.

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P R OB L EM
Uneven coating

C AU S E
Th e w h i t e p a t c h e s a r e caused by an uneven coating of the silver nitrate solution. Th e d u l l i m a g e a r e a s indicates salt has not reached them and the silver nitrate only is reacting with the papers organic substances.

S OLU TI O N
An incandescent low wattage lamp with light falling at 45 across the paper will improve v i s i b i l i t y wh e n c o a t i n g . Improve coating visibility and ensure full coverage of the image area.

Black Spots White Spots. (measles effect)

Silver nitrate contamination. Insufficient silver nitrate solution, the image making silver chloride is weak.

Clean all the utensils and surfaces. Ensure an even coating of silver nitrate at the correct percentage is applied. If correctly coated, exposed , processed and stored the print has a proven life span o f a t l e a s t 1 5 0 ye a r s Th e National Gallery of Australia houses some fine examples printed by Talbot in the early 1 84 0 s . Silver nitrate is dangerous if mishandled. Always wear gloves when mixing or using silver nitrate solutions. Wear eye protection. The safest method of applying silver nitrate solutions is using a r o d a n d s yr i n g e . S i l v e r nitrate coating baths are dangerous. Reduce exposure time, decrease sodium citrate or make a denser negative.

Sa l t pr in t is un s ta b le a n d wi l l n o t la s t .

In a de q ua te ex p os u r e, to n in g, f ixi n g , wa s hin g a n d s t o ra g e me t h o ds .

Sil ve r n i t ra t e is da n ge r o us to u se.

Silver nitrate can cause permanent eye damage. It stains the skin and if absorbed is deposited in various locations around the body causing staining of the blood vessel walls, gums and mucous membranes, k n o w n a s a r g yr i a . Saturation point, the p r i n t i s o v e r e x p o s e d . 102 Th e p a r t i c l e s o f r e d u c e d metallic silver migrate to the surface forming a layer on the surface of the print.

B ron z in g .

R e i l l y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T h e A l b u m e n & S a lt e d P a pe r B o o k : T h e H i s t o r y an d pr a c t i c e o f p h o t o g r a p h i c p r i n t i n g , 1 8 4 0 - 1 8 9 5 . , L i g h t I m p r e s s i o n s C o r p o r at i o n . , R o c h e s t e r , U S A . p 7 3
102

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G L OS S A RY

Ac ti ni c l i g ht : L i g h t in t he U V , vi ole t a n d b l ue reg ion of t he spe c t r u m t ha t i s re q ui r ed f o r lig h t -in d u ce d c he m i ca l r ea c t ion s in p ri n t in g -o u t p ro c esses t o c rea t e a n i ma ge . Al k al i ne : O p p osi t e of a c i d wi t h a pH gr ea te r t ha n 7 on a p H sca le . An hy dr ou s : F re e f r o m wa te r . Ar r o wr o o t: S ta r c h ma de f ro m t u be r o us r oo t s, i n c l u din g po ta t oes . I t is a fin e whi t e p o wd e r t ha t is use d f o r si zin g a n d bin d in g . Bi nde r: T he s u bs t a n ce t ha t b in d s t oge t he r t wo o r m o re ma te r ia l s or c h e mi c a ls in a m ix t u re , e . g. gel a t in a n d a l b u men bin de r s ho ld t h e c h lo r i de , di s pe rs in g t he si lve r c h lo ri d e whi le a d he r in g i t to t he p a pe r . Bro nzi ng : T hi s de s c ri be s t he sa t u ra ti o n poi n t of a sa l t p rin t exp os u re . T he me t a lli c s il ve r pa r ti c le s si t s o cl ose t oge t he r t he y f o r m a la ye r o n t he s u rf a c e. Buc kl e B ru s h : A te st t ub e, gl a ss o r p la s ti c t u be wi t h c o t to n wo o l t wis t ed t ig h tl y in o n e en d. Ca me ra L uc i da : N o t a c t ua ll y a ca me r a b u t a n o p ti ca l d ra wi n g a id . D. ma x is t he ma xi m u m den s i t y r ec o r de d on f il m o r pa pe r . D. mi n i s t h e m in i m u m den s i t y r ec o r de d on f il m o r pa pe r . De c a -h yd ra te d : C on ta i n s 1 0 m ol ec u le s of wa te r . De -i o ni ze d Wa te r : Wa t e r p u r if ie d f r o m a ll in o r ga n i c sa l ts b y a n io n ex c ha n ge p r oc ess o r r eve r se os m osi s b u t ma y s ti ll ha ve o rga n ic co m p o un ds . De l i que sc e n t : A bs o r bs wa te r f r o m t he a i r . De - mi n e r al i ze d W at e r : Sa me a s dei on i s ed wa te r . De n si ty : A mea s u r e of li g h t a bs o rb ed o r t ra n s mi t te d in a n a rea of a n i ma ge . T his c a n be m ea s u re d b y a den s i to m e te r . Den si t y is a l oga ri t h m i c v a l ue. If on e a rea of a n eg a ti ve t ra n sm i ts t wi c e a s m uc h l ig h t a s a n o t h e r t he d en si t y d if fe ren ce i s 0. 3 (i .e . t h e lo g of 2 ) T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | G lo ssa r y
8 2

Den si ty R ang e : T h e d if fe ren ce b et wee n t h e l ig h te s t re co r de d a rea a n d t he da r k es t r ec o r de d a r ea . In fi l m i t r efe r s to mea s u rin g t h e t h in n es t pa r t o f t h e n e ga t iv e, t hen me a s u rin g t he d en se st pa r t o f t h e n e ga ti ve a n d su b t ra c tin g t h is va lu e. T his wi l l gi ve y o u t he den s i t y ra n ge . Den si t o me te r s a r e us ed to a c c u ra te ly m ea s u re den s i t y. Di s ti l l e d wa te r : All i m p u ri t ies a re re m ove d by bo il in g wa t er a n d re con den sin g t he s t ea m. Ef fl ore sc e n t : L ose m ois t u r e. E xo t he r mi c : C rea te hea t wh e n d iss ol vin g . Fadi ng : D e te ri o ra ti on of t he sa l t p rin t t h ro u g h p oo r fix i n g, in c o m ple t e wa s h in g o ut of fix e rs a n d a i rb o rn e con t a min a ti on a t t ri b u te t o fa din g. Fi xe r: A m m on i u m t hi os u lfa t e a n d so di u m t h io s ul p ha te a re us ed to re m o ve t he un ex pos ed , t h e ref o re s t il l l ig h t sen s i ti ve sil ve r sa l ts . Fog : Non -i m a ge si l ve r t ha t s ho ws a s di sc ol o u ra ti on , us u a ll y c rea te d b y c on ta mi n a t ion o r ex po s u re on t h e li g h t sen si ti ve su r fa ce b ef o re b ein g pla ce d un de r a n e ga t iv e f o r p rin t in g . Gel a ti n : A p r ot ein bin de r c rea te d f ro m a n i ma l h i des , b on es a n d ti ss ues . I t is a n i mp o r ta n t bin d er in p h o to g ra p hy a n d si zin g in pa pe r ma k in g . V a r io u s g ra des a re a va i la ble . L ate n t Im ag e : An in vis i ble i ma g e f o r me d on sen s i tis e d fi l m or pa pe r b y ex p os u r e to lig h t . T h e e xp os u re c rea tes s ma ll cl u st e rs o f si lve r a t o ms in s il ve r h a li d e cr y st a ls t ha t a re i m a ge fo r m in g wi t h c he m i ca l de vel o p men t . L ati t ude : T h e a c c ep ta bl e ra n ge of a n i ma g e b ef o re exp os u re a n d un de r -ex po s u re ca u se l os s of de ta i l. ove r -

L i nt e r s: F i b res u s ed t o ma k e co t t on pa pe r . T hes e a re t h e sh o r te r f i b res l ef t a ft e r t h e c o t ton ha s gon e t h r o ug h t he gin n i n g ma c hin e . T he l on g e r fi b re s a r e ma de in t o t h r ea d. Mea sl e s: Bl o t c h y li gh t m a r ks ca use d b y in s u ff i cien t si l ve r, a lso use d t o des c r ib e da r k ma r ks ma d e fr o m p oo r o r ex ha u st ed fix in g ba t h . M on o- hy dr a te d : Co n ta in s on e m ol ec u le o f wa te r . M S DS : M a te ria ls S a fe t y Da ta S he e t s . T he se p ro vi d e a f ul l des c r ip t ion of t h e c he m i ca l s, sa fe ha n d lin g , p r ot ec ti on re q u ir e d a n d f i rs t - a id t rea t m en t. T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | G lo ssa r y
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O xi da ti o n: T he re m ova l o f a n ele c t r o n o r e le c t ron s f r o m a n a t o m o r a m o le c ule . Ph o t oc h e mi c al Ac t i on : A c ha n ge ca n on l y be ma de b y li gh t t ha t is a bs o rb e d. T he a m o un t o f p h ot o c he m ic a l c ha n g e is p ro p o r ti on a te to t he li g h t in ten si t y m u l ti pl ie d by t i me of ill u m in a t ion . Ph o t ol y si s: In t he sa l t p rin t i t is t h e a c ti vi t y c rea te d b y t he exp os u re to l ig h t t ha t c ha n ge s t he s il ve r c h lo r id e t o m et a lli c sil ve r . Pu ri fi e d W at e r : T hi s gen e ra ll y m ea n s wa te r p u r if ie d fo r h u ma n con s u m p ti o n whi c h s ti ll ma y c on ta in sa l ts a n d o r ga n i c ma t te r . Py r o: An o r ga n i c de vel o pe r a g en t f o r p h o to g ra p hi c f i l ms . O t he r n a me s use d a re p y r oga ll ol , p y ro ga l li c a c id or t ri h y d r ox y ben zen e . It off e rs a n exc e p ti on a l t on a l ra n g e a n d in c re a se hi g hl ig h t s epa ra t ion . P r y o is t oxi c . Rag : T hese a re o l d ra g s o r n e w o ff - c u t s of c o t ton fa b r ic t ha t a re b r o ken do wn to ma ke pa pe r . Ra g t h rea ds o ri gin a ll y c o me fr o m t he l on ge r s t r on ge r f i b res o f t h e co t ton pla n t , a l t h o ug h pa pe r is n o t o f ten ma de f r o m t h e ra gs to da y, i t ma ke s a ve r y st r on g pa pe r . Rati o : T h e r ela t ion sh i p be t ween t wo q ua n ti t ies . F o r exa m pl e 1 : 3 m ea n s on e pa r t wa t er a n d t h ree pa r ts c he m ica l . Re duc ti on : T he a d di t ion o f a n el ec t r on o r e le c t ron s f r o m a n atom or a mo le c ule . O x id a t io n and re d uc t ion o cc u r si m ul ta n eo u sl y , a r ed u cin g a g en t i s a s ub s ta n c e wh i c h g ive s u p ele c t r on s a n d b e co m es ox i di ze d . Re fl e c ti on: Fo r s mo ot h s u rfa ce s a n g le o f in ci den ce is t he sa me a s t he a n g le o f re fl ec ti on , wh en li g h t st r i kes t he s u rfa ce t he lig h t b o un ce s ba c k a t t he sa me a n g le . Fo r o t h e r s u r fa c es t he lig h t i s r ef le c te d ba c k a t di ff er en t a n gl es. i .e . s ca t te re d . Re fr ac ti o n: W hen li gh t p a sse s t h o ug h on e m ed i u m t o a n o t he r a ra y is ben t s h a rp ly a t t he s u r fa ce b et we en t he m . In a p rin t t hi s a f fe c ts t he a p pea ra n ce of t h e si l ve r wh en t h e g los sie r a lb u m en ref ra c ts t he lig h t . T h e p r in t a p pea rs da r ke r in t he sha d o ws a n d l ig h te r in t he hi g hl ig h ts t h a n sa l te d pa pe r p rin ts . Sa t ur a te d S ol u ti on s: (P o ta s si u m di c h r o ma te is of ten use d in a sa t u ra t ed so l u ti on ) . Th e c he m i ca l is a d de d to l i q ui d un ti l s o me is l ef t un di ss ol ve d . I t ca n n o t a bso r b / d iss ol ve a n y m o re of t he c he m ica l , i t is sa t u r a te d . A hi g he r t e m p era t u r e ma y ca use t hi s T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | G lo ssa r y
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to d iss ol ve p re ci pi t a t e .

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Sel f - ma s ki ng : T h e t hin n e r a r ea o f t he n e ga ti ve a l lo ws t he sil ve r c h lo r id e con v er t to me ta l li c si lv e r in t h e p rin t . T hi s n o w da r ke r s u r fa ce of t he sa l t t h u s f o r ms a ma s k . T h e ex p o sin g lig h t is he ld ba c k f r o m rea c hin g t h e un re d u ce d si lv e r c h lo ri de un de rn e a t h . M e a n w hi le t he r es t o f t he sa l t p r in t con t in ue s t o exp ose un de r t he m o re d en se pa r ts o f t he n e ga ti ve . Se n si t o me tr y: T h is seek s t o es ta bl is h a rela t ion s h i p be t we en exp os u re a n d den s i t y p h o to g ra p hi c ma t er ia l . Si zi ng : T he s ub s ta n ce a d de d to pa pe r to in c rea s es s u r f a ce st re n g t h . I t r es is ts t he pen e t ra t ion o f s ol u ti on s in t o t h e fi b res of t h e pa pe r . Gela t i n a n d s ta r c h a re t h e mos t co m m on t y pe s o f si zin g . S tep We dg e : T h is i s ei t he r a t ra n spa r en t fi l m o r pa pe r wi t h den s i t y in c re men t s of 0. 1 5 o r 0. 3 0 . A we d ge o f 2 1 s te ps wi t h den s i t y un i ts of . 1 5 s te p in t e rva ls gi v e a to ta l ra n ge of 3 . 0 5 den s i t y un i t s. B y c o un ti n g t he n u m be r of di st in c t s te ps in t he p rin t a n d m u l ti pl y i n g b y t he . 1 5 den s i t y in te r va l b et ween t h e st ep s gi ves t he e xp os u re ra n g e in loga r i t h mi c un i t s . To con ve r t t hi s ra n ge to s to ps , m ul t i pl y t he lo g u n i ts b y 3. 3 . 103 O t he r n a m es : s te p t a bl e t, o pt i ca l we d ge a n d t ra n s m is si on g re y sca le . We tti ng A g e n t : A p u ri fi ed de te rg en t us ed in t he f in a l wa s h in g sta ge of f il m p r oc e ssin g , ca u sin g wa te r t o r un of f e ven l y t h us re d u cin g r u n ma r k s a n d wa t e r s p ot s.

C t e i n ( 1 9 9 7 ) P o s t E x p o s u r e - A d v an c e T e c h n i q u e s fo r t h e P h o t o g r a ph i c P r i n t e r , Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn MA USA. p35

103

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A P P E N DIX 1 C H EM IC AL S

S A F E TY N O T E S
TRE A T AL L C HEM IC A L S AS D A NG ERO U S O R PO I SO NO U S o A L W A Y S a d d a c id t o wa t er , NE V ER wa te r t o a ci d. A l wa ys we a r eye p ro t ec t ion a n d glo ve s . o Al wa y s d iss ol ve in t he o rd e r o f t he f o r m u la o Wa i t un t il on e c he m ica l h a s c o m ple t el y di ss ol ve d be fo re a d din g t h e n ex t. o U se a f un n e l to po u r s ol u t ion s in to b ot t les . Rin s e f un n e l a ft e r u se . o U se p la s ti c o r gla s s st i r rin g r o ds . o L a be l a ll c on ta in e r s wi t h c he mi ca ls , d a te mi xe d a n d u sa g e ra ti o i f r eq u i re d . o D o n o t s to r e c he m i c a ls in f oo d f r i dge . Ch e mi ca ls a f fe ct t h e bo d y b y : o A bso r p t ion : En te rs t he bo d y t h ro u g h t he s k in a n d in to t he bl oo d s t rea m . Cu ts o r wo u n ds ea sil y a bso r b c he m ica ls . W hen m ixin g c h e mi ca l s, us e gl ov es f r o m c he m ica l s u p pli e rs . Su pe r m a r k e t t y pe glo ves o f ten do n o t of f e r s t ron g en o ug h p ro t ec t ion . B rea t h in g : A i rb o rn e c he mi ca ls , s uc h a s d us t, ga se s a n d va p o u rs , c a n en te r t he bo d y t h o u g h t he n o se a n d m o u t h. I f yo u r wo r k en vi r on men t is n ot wel l v en ti la te d , m ix c he mi ca ls o u t d oo rs ( b ree ze b lo wi n g a wa y f r o m yo u fa c e) . M a ke s u r e yo u ha ve ga s ma s k s t o p r o te c t a ga in s t c he m ica l f u m es. In g es ti on : D o n o t e a t o r d r in k i n t he a rea wh e re yo u a re wo r k in g o r mix in g c he m i ca ls . 104

Kee p to ps a n d ca p s ti g h t l y cl ose d a s so me c he m ica ls wi l l a bs o r b t he m ois t u r e f ro m t h e a i r ( kn o wn a s del iq u es cen t ). T his wi l l a l t e r t he wei g h t a n d m a y a l lo w a c r us t to fo r m on t he

J a m e s , C . ( 2 0 0 2 ) T h e B o o k o f A lt e r n at i v e P h o t o g r a ph i c P r o c e s s e s , D e l m ar , N e w York.p344
104

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su r fa ce . O t he r s los e t h ei r m ois t u r e (ef fl o res ce n t ) , h a ve da n g e ro u s f u mes , o r eva p o ra te . Ea c h t i me y o u b u y c he m i ca l s c he c k t h ei r M a te r ia l s Sa fe t y Da ta S h ee t fo r c o r re c t s to ra ge a n d ca re . Te m pe ra t u re s in mi xin g f o r m ul a s a re i m po r t a n t so f ol lo w t he in s t r u ct io n s , a s so me : o o o re q u ir e wa r m wa te r te m pe ra t u r e t o d iss ol ve c rea te hea t wh e n d i sso lv in g (k n o wn a s exo t he r m i c) so me a bs o r b he a t ( k n o wn a s en do t h e r mi c)

D iss ol ve c h e mi ca l s in t he o r de r t h e fo r m u la lis t s a n d wa i t un ti l ea c h c he m i ca l ha s di ss ol ve d be fo r e a d din g t h e n ex t.

MEASURING OUT CHEMICALS:

Ac c u ra te sc a le s a re in d is pen sa ble . Ele c t ron ic di gi ta l s ca l es a re re la ti vel y in ex pe n siv e. T he a c c u ra c y a n d ra n g e ca pa c i t y wil l re f lec t in t he p ri ce . S ca les to m ea su r e 0 . 0 1 of a gra m wi ll be m o re exp en si ve t ha n t h ose t ha t mea s u re 0 . 1 0 g m . P la ce a s he et of pa pe r un de r t he s c a les in ca se o f s pi ll a ge. D o n o t pl a c e c he m i ca l s di re c tl y on t o t he weig h in g pla t e of t he s ca le s. Pla ce a s ma ll s he et of pa pe r on t he we ig h in g p la te fo r mea s u rin g s ma ll e r a m o un ts . F o r mea s u ri n g la rge r a m o un ts of d r y c h e mi ca ls us e d is po sa b le pa pe r o r pla s ti c c up s. Re m e m be r t o co m pen sa t e fo r t h e ex t ra m a s s in t he mea s u re men t s wh e n u sin g a c u p o r pa p e r.

C O N V E R S I O N S O F M E A S U R E M E N TS
o Weig h t s: To con ve r t g ra m s t o o un ce s Di vi de t he ( g m) g ra m s b y 2 8 . 4 = o un ce s. o L iq u i d m ea s u re m en t s: M i ll il it r es ( m l ) t o fl ui d o u n c es . Di vi d e m l b y 2 8 . 4 = i m pe ria l fl u i d o un c e . o M ea s u re me n t in a r e a : Cen ti m e t res t o in c hes , c m x 0 . 3 9 3 7 = in c hes . In c he s t o c en t i me t res , in c he s x 2 . 5 4 0 0 = c m . Exa m pl e fo r 8 x 1 0 in c hes = 2 0. 3 2 c m x 2 5. 4 c m . o Te m pe ra t u re : T o c o n ve r t Ce lsi u s t o Fa h ren h ei t 1 . M u l ti pl y t he te m pe r a t u re i n Cel si us b y 9 . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls
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2 . D iv id e a n s we r b y 5 . 3 . A dd 3 2 to t he res u l t . Exa m ple f o r 2 0 C 1. 20 x 9 = 180 2. 180 5 = 36 3. 36 + 32 = 68 F o Pe r cen ta ge so l u ti on s : Kn o wn a s p e rc en t wei g h t fo r v ol u m e (% w/ v ) Pe r cen ta ge s ol u t io n s a re u se d wh e n t h e q u a n ti t y of t he c he m ica l is t o o sm a ll t o wei g h t a c c u ra te l y . Fo r exa m p le : pe rc en t a ge w e ig h t fo r sol u t ion is 2 g m in 1 0 0 ml of s ol u t ion . vo l u me : 2%

P er c e nt a ge vo l u me fo r vo l u me 2 % sol u t ion i s 2 ml in 1 0 0 ml of s ol u t ion .

C H E M I C A L S U S E D I N T H I S M A N U AL
A M M O N I U M C H L O R I D E N H 4 Cl o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce : W h i te od o u rl ess c r ys ta l s o r p o wd e r . Ha z a rd s : Ha r mf u l if s wa ll o we d , re s p i ra to r y s ys t e m a n d s kin . i r ri t a n t to t he e ye s,

O t he r n a m es : Sa l a m m on ia c , m u ria te o f a m m on ia . S ub s ti t u te : sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride. U ses : Sa l t s ol u t ion i n sa l t a n d a l b u m en p rin t in g . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

A M M O N I U M T H I O C Y A N A T E N H 4 SC N o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te od o u rl ess c r ys ta l s o r p o wd e r Ha z a rd s: Ha r mf u l if s wa ll o we d , re sp i ra to r y s ys t e m a n d s kin . O t he r n a m es : A m m o n i u m r h o da te S ub s ti t u te : Nil U ses : To n in g fo r sa l t a n d a l b u men p rin t in g . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs . i r ri t a n t to t he e ye s,

ARROWROOT (STARCH SIZING/BINDER) o o A pp ea ra n ce: F in e whi t e p o wd e r Uses: Sizing or binder T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls
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Ava ila b le f r o m: S up er ma r k e ts

C A L C I U M C H L O R I D E C a Cl 2 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te od o u rl ess f la kes o r po wd e r Ha z a rd s: Ha r m f ul i f s wa ll o we d , i r r i ta t in g t o t he e ye s, re sp i ra to r y s ys t e m a n d s kin . Other names: Calcium(II) chloride. S ub s ti t u te : Sodium potassium chloride. chloride, ammonium chloride,

Uses: Salt solution in salt printing. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

C A L C I U M C A R B O N A T E Ca C O 3 o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te od o u rl ess po wd e r o r l u m ps . Ha z a rd s: E ye , res p i r a t o ry a n d s ki n i r ri ta n t . O t he r n a m es : Li m es t on e , c al ci t e , ar a g on i t e , ch al k . U ses : To n in g . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs . C (O H) C O OH .( C H 2 C O O H) 2

CITRIC ACID C6H8O7 o

A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u r less , o d o u rle ss c r y sta ls o r g ra n ule s , eff lo re sc en t in d r y a i r, d el iq u es cen t i n m oi s t a i r . V e ry sol u b le in wa te r . Ha z a rd s: ir r i ta n t . S ev e re e ye i r r i ta n t. Res pi ra t o ry and s kin

o o o o o

O t he r n a m es : H y d r o g en ci t r at e S ub s ti t u te : S od i u m c i t r at e , cal ci u m ci t r a t e U ses : S to p ba t h Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs o r h ea l t h fo o d s to r es

GELATIN (BINDER/SIZING) o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: L ig h t ye ll o w o r c ol o u rle s s c oa rse p o wd e r , fla kes o r s hee t s. Ha z a rd s: Ni l O t he r n a m es : Gela t i n e Uses: Sizing and as binder. Swells and absorbs up to 10 times its weight in water. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h em i ca l s u p pl ie rs a n d s u pe r ma r ke t s , n o te: fo o d gela t in ma y ha v e a d d i ti ves .

G L A C I A L A C E T I C A C I D C H 3 CO O H o A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u rl ess p un gen t s m el l . Fre e zes a t 1 6 . 6 C T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls

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Ha z a rd s: C o r ros iv e. I t s va p o u r ca u ses i r ri ta t ion to t he eye s, a d r y a n d b u r n in g n os e, s o re t h r o a t a n d con ges t ion to t he l un gs . Fl a m m a bl e. O t he r n a m es : Ac et i c me t ha n e ca rb ox y li c a ci d . a c i d; et ha n oi c a ci d,

o o o

Uses: Fermenting albumen solution . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

G O L D C H L O R I D E S O L U T I O N 1% Na A u Cl 4 o o A pp ea ra n ce: Pa l e go ld l i q ui d . Ha z a rd s: C o r ro si ve, des t r u c ti ve of m u co u s m e m b ra n es so a l wa ys ha n dle wi t h g lo ves a n d go gg l es , di r ec t c on ta c t sh o ul d be a v oi de d . O t he r n a m es : S od i u m te t ra c hl o r oa u ra te , c hl o roa u ra t e a ci d go ld t ri c hl o ri de go ld ( I I I ) t ri h y d ra te . S ub s ti t u te : Hydrogen t e t ra c h lo r oa u ra te ( I I I) Uses: Gold toning. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs . so d i u m c hl o ri de

o o o

GLYOXAL C2H2 O2 o o A pp ea ra n ce: C lea r l i q ui d . Ha z a rd s: Ha r m f ul if in ge st e d o r i n ha le d, i r ri ta n t t o s k in eye s a n d re sp i ra to r y t ra c t. A l wa ys ha n dl e wi t h g lo ves , ma sk a n d g og gle s , d ir ec t con ta c t m us t b e a vo id ed . O t he r n a m es : Uses: Hardening gelatin . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

o o o

ISOP ROP YL ALCO HOL C3H8O o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u rl ess l iq u i d, s li g h t o d o u r of a l c o ho l. Ha z a rd s: F la m ma bl e , t ox ic . O t he r n a me s: R u b bin g a l co h ol , a lc o ho l . Uses: Hardening albumen coatings. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m is ts , c h e mi ca l s up pl ie rs . is op r opa n ol , p r o p a n o l

M E T O L C 7 H 9 NO o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te t o ye ll o wi s h p o wd e r . Ha z a rd s: Ca u ses s k i n po ison in g . W ea r g lo ves . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls

9 0

o o o o

O t he r n a m es : El on , pi c to l p h o t ol . S ub s ti t u te : Phenidone. Uses: Developing agent for films. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

P O T A S S I U M C H L O R I D E K Cl o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u rl ess wh i t e p o wd e r o r c r y s ta ls . Ha z a rd s: A ffe c ts ca r dia c m u sc le s . Hi g h d oses ca n c a use ca r dia c a r res t a n d r a pi d dea t h . O t he r n a m es : C hl o ri de o f p o ta s h , m u ria te o f p o ta s h . S ub s ti t u te : Sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, calcium chloride. Uses: Salt solution for salt and albumen printing . Ava ila b le f r o m: c he m ica l s u p pli e rs .

P O T A S S I U M C H L O R O P L A T I N I T E 2 0 % K 2 P t Cl 4 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: R ed d i s h s ol i d Ha z a rd s: Po is on o u s , c o r ro si ve to h u ma n sk in , ca n ca use a ll er gi c ef f e c t s , i s a n exp er i m en t al m u t a g en . O t he r n a m es : Potassium tetrachloroplatinate , potassium Chloroplatinite. S ub s ti t u te . Nil Uses: Toning. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

P O T A S S I U M D I C H R O M A T E K 2 Cr 2 O 7 o o A pp ea ra n ce: B ri g h t re d o ra n ge c ry s ta l s Ha z a rd s: Tox i c if s wa l lo we d o r b y in ha l e d. I r ri ta n t t o sk in a n d r es pi ra t o r y s ys te m . Ca n ca u s e se ri o us da ma ge to e ye s, ha r m f u l to t he a q ua t ic en vi r on men t , ca r cin ogen i c. O t he r n a me s: Bi c h r o ma te of po ta s h , Bi c h r o ma te o f po ta ssa , p o ta s si u m bi c h r o ma te , r ed c h r o ma te o f p o ta s h . S ub s ti t u te : Ammonium dichromate . Uses: increases contrast in salt & albumen printing. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

o o o o

POTASSIUM IODIDE KI o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te c r ys ta ls , p o wd e r o r g ra n u les . Ha z a rd s: M il d i r ri ta n t . A ffe c ts t h y ro i d.

9 1

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls

o o o o

O t he r n a m es : I o din e o f p o ta s h . S ub s ti t u te : Sodium iodide. Uses: Test for residual fixer. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

P O T A S S I U M P E R M A N G A N A T E K Mn O 4 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: lu s t re . P u r pl e /b la c k c ry s ta l s wi t h a m e ta l li c

Ha z a rd s: Po we rf u l o xid is in g a g en t . O t he r n a m es : Pe r ma n ga n a te o f p o ta s h . Con d y s c r ys ta ls S ub s ti t u te : Sodium permanganate. Uses: Test for residual fixer. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

P Y R O G A L L I C A C I D C 6 H 3 (O H) 3 o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te po wd e ry c r ys ta ls . Ha z a rd s: P oi son o u s , t oxi c if in ha l e d , wea r ma s k a n d g lo ves . s wa l lo we d , t o uc h ed or

O t he r n a m es : P y ro , P y ro ga l lo l , t ri h y d r o xben zen e . Uses: Active agent in processing negatives . Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S I L V E R N I T R A T E Ag N O 3 o o A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u rl ess f la t c r ys ta ls . Ha z a rd s: O xi di zi n g a gen t . Wea r e ye p ro t ec t ion , g lo ves a n d ma s ks . Ca n ca u se pe r ma n en t da m a ge to e yes , b u rn s on con ta c t t o e ye s o r s k in , a n d is h a r m f ul t o a q ua t ic en vi r on men t . O t he r n a m es : N i t ra t e of si lv e r, l u n a r ca us t ic . Uses: Sensitising salted paper, albumen and numerous other alternative processes. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

o o o

S O D I U M A C E T A T E CH 3 C O ON a . 3H 2 0 o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: c r ys ta l s C ol o u rl ess , t ra n s pa re n t ef fl o res cen t

Ha z a rd s: Ir r i t an t , ke ep co ol in ti g h tl y se a le d b o t tle . O t he r n a m es : A ce ta t e of s oda , s o di u m e t ha n oa te . Uses: Lower acidity in toning. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .
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T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls

S O D I U M B I S U L F I T E N aH S O 3 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te c r ys ta ll in e p o wd e r Ha z a rd s: Ha r mf u l if s wa ll o we d o r i n ha l ed . O t he r n a m es : A ci d s ul fi t e of s o da S ub s ti t u te : Sodium metabisulfite. Uses: Pyro developer. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S O D I U M C A R B O N A T E Na 2 C O 3 a n d N a 2 C O 3 . H 2 0 a n d N a 2 CO 3 .1 0H 2 0 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W hi t e o r co lo u r les s po wd e r , g ra n ule s o r c r ys ta l s . Ha z a rd s: E ye , s ki n a n d res pi ra t o r y i r ri ta n t . O t he r n a mes : So da , wa s h in g so da , ca r bon a t e o f s o da , so da a s h . S ub s ti t u te : Potassium carbonate. Uses: Reducing acidic conditions in the fixer. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S O D I U M C H L O R I D E Na C l o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te po wd e r o r c ol o u rl es s c r ys ta l s . Ha z a rd s: Ca n ca us e eye s k in a n d re s pi ra to r y i r r i ta ti on . O t he r n a m es : Ta ble sa l t, co m m on sa l t . S ub s ti t u te : Potassium chloride. Uses: Salt solution for salt and albumen prints. Ava ila b le f r o m: He a lt h fo o d s to re s ( c he c k t he re a re n o a d di t ive s) , c h e mi ca l s u p pl ie rs .

S O D I U M C H L O R O P A L L A D I T E Na 2 Pd Cl 4 o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: Re d b r o wn c r ys ta ll in e po wde r o r c r ys ta l s . Ha z a rd s: Po is on o u s, Do n o t in ge s t , b rea t he d us t o r m is t . D o n o t ge t in e y es , on s kin o r cl o t hin g. O t he r n a m es : S o di u m c hl o ro pa l la da te (I I ); co d i u m te t ra c hl o r opa lla d i u m (I I ) ; so d i u m c h lo r opa lla d i te ( I I ) . Uses: Toning. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S O D I U M C I T R A T E Na 3 C 6 H 5 O 7 o o A pp ea ra n ce: F in e w hi t e o do u r les s c r ys t a ls . Ha z a rd s: Ir r i t an t t o ey es s k i n an d r e s p i r at or y s y s t em . T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls

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o o o o

O t he r n a m es : Tr i s od i u m ci t r a t e . S ub s ti t u te : C al c i u m ci t r at e, ci t r i c a ci d . Uses: In salt prints to decrease contrast increases light sensitivity. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S O D I U M H Y D R O X I D E Na OH o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te de li q ues cen t l u m p s , fla ke s, bea ds o r st ic k s . Ha z a rd s: Hi g hl y to x ic , c a us ti c , wi ll ex p lo de in h o t wa te r , va p o u r is da n ge r o us , wea r fa ce ma s k gl ov es a n d e ye p ro t ec t ion . In ge s ti o n ca n be fa ta l . O t he r n a m es : C au s t i c al k al i , c au s t i c s od a . S ub s ti t u te : P o ta s si u m h y d rox i de. Uses: Test for remaining fixer in print. Ava ila b le f ro m : C h em i ca l s u p pl ie rs a n d s u pe r ma r ke t s ( D r a in o f o r c lea r in g bl o c ke d d ra in s ) .

o o o o

S O D I U M M E T A B O R A T E N aB O 3 .4 H 2 0 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te c r ys ta ls . Ha z a rd s: M o de ra te ha za r d on in ges t io n a n d in ha la ti on , sli g h tl y tox i c on s ki n . O t he r n a m es : K o da k ba la n ce d A l ka l i, K o da l k S ub s ti t u te : Bo ra x, s od i u m te t ra bo ra t e Uses: Film developer. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

S O D I U M S U L P H I T E Na 2 S O 3 o o A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te c r ys ta ls o r po wd e r . Ha z a rd s: Po ssi b le m u ta g en . Ha r mf ul b y in ha la ti on , in ge st io n a n d s k in c on ta c t . Ey e s k in a n d res pi ra t o r y ir r i ta n t . P r ol on g ed o r re pea te d e xp os u re ca n ca us e a lle r gi c rea c ti on s . M ixe d a ci d re lea s e s s ul p h u r di ox id e ga s . O t he r n a m es : S ul p h i te , s ul p h i te o f so da . S ub s ti t u te : Sodium bisulphite. Uses: Hypo clearing bath assists removal of the fixer from the paper. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs .

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S O D I U M T E T R A B O R A T E ( B O R A X ) Na 2 B 4 O 7 T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 1 C he m ica ls
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A pp ea ra n ce: W h i te c r ys ta ll in e p o wd e r . Ha z a rd s: L o w ha za r d ris k b u t ca n be t oxi c i f si gn i fi ca n t a m o un ts a r e i n ha l ed , i n ge st e d o r m a ke c on ta c t wi t h sk in . O t he r n a mes : Bo r a x, bo ra t e o f s o da o r so d i u m, te t ra b o ra te so d i u m bo ra t e , or di so d i u m te t ra bo ra t e . S ub s ti t u te : n on e . Uses: gold toning to render acidic gold chloride alkaline Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs , s u pe r ma r ke ts .

o o o o

S O D I U M T H I O C Y A N A T E Na S C N o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: C ol o u rl ess o r wh i t e de li q ue scen t c r ys ta l s . Ha z a rd s: Ha r m f ul b y in ha la ti on , in g es ti on a n d s kin con ta c t . Con ta c t wi t h a ci d li be r a t es hi g hl y t oxi c ga s. O t he r n a m es : S od i u m r h od an at e an d s od iu m s ul fo c ya n i de . S ub s ti t u te : Potassium thiocyanate. Uses: Toning. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e r .

S O D I U M T H I O S U L F A T E Na 2 S 2 O 3 . 5H 2 0 o o o o o o A pp ea ra n ce: L a r ge t ra n s pa r en t c r ys ta ls , wh i t e p o wd e r . Ha z a rd s: Ey e i r ri ta n t , ca n de c o m po se su l p h u r d iox i de ga s . O t he r n a m es : H y po , s od i u m h yp os u lf i te . S ub s ti t u te : Ammonium thiosulfate. Uses: Known as fixer hypo : dissolves the unexposed silver chloride, removing the light sensitivity of the salt print. Ava ila b le f r o m: C h e m ica l s u p pli e rs . re lea s in g t oxi c

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7 0 0 J a me s L a n e T re n t ha m Ea s t V i c to r ia 3 4 5 8 A us t ra l ia . Tel : 6 1 3 5 4 2 4 1 8 3 5 Web : www. g o ld s t ree ts t u di o .c o m .a u NEILS ART SUPPLIES/ NEIL WALLACE PRINTMAKING SUPPLIES 4 4- 4 6 G ree ves S t r ee t , Fi t z ro y V i c t o ria A us t ra lia 3 0 6 5 Tel : 6 1 3 9 4 1 9 - 5 9 4 9 We b : www. e - a rt s to r e. co m .a u BOSTICK & SULLIVAN. P. O . Box 1 6 6 3 9 , Sa n ta Fe , 8 7 5 9 2, Ne w M exi co U SA Tel : 5 0 5 4 7 4 0 8 9 0 Web : w ww. b o s ti c k - s ul li va n . co m

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T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | A pp en dix 2 M a t er ia l s u p pl ie rs

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B IB L I OG RA P H Y
A da ms , A . ( 1 9 9 4 ) T h e P r i n t, L i t t le , B r o wn a n d Co m pa n y , To r on to Ca n a da . Cra wf o rd , W . ( 1 9 7 9 ) K ee p ers o f th e L ig h t , M o rga n & M o r ga n , In c. , Ne w Yo r k , U S A . Ct ein ( 1 9 9 7 ) P o s t E x po s ur e - A d v a n ce Te c h n iq ues fo r t he P ho to g r a p h i c P r i n te r, B u t te r wo r t h - Hein ema n n , W o b u rn MA USA. E.J .Wa l l a n d F. I .J o r d a n ( 1 9 7 5) P ho to gr a p h i c F a c ts a n d Fo r m u l as , A m e ri ca n P h o t og r a pi c B o ok P u bl is h in g C o. , In c. , Ne w Yo r k U SA . Ede r , J . M . ( 1 9 7 8 ) H i s to r y o f P ho to g r a ph y, D ov e r P u bl ic a ti on s In c N e w Yo r k . Ep h ra u m s, E . ( 1 9 9 5 ) Cr e a ti v e E l e me n ts , 2 1s t C en t u r y P u bli s hin g L t d , L on don G r ea t B r i ta in . Fa r be r , R . ( 1 9 9 8 ) H i s to r i c P ho to g r a p h ic Pro c es s es : A G u i d e t o Cr e a t i ng H a n d m a d e Pho to g r a p h i c I m a ge s , A ll wo r t h P re ss , Ne w Yo r k . Gra y , M . , O l l ma n , A . a n d M c C us ke r , C. ( 2 0 0 2 ) Th e Fi rs t P ho to g r a p hs W i ll i a m H e nr y Fo x T a l bo t a n d th e B ir t h o f P ho to g r a p h y, Po we r Ho us e B oo k s U S A, N e w Yo r k . H un t, R. ( 1 9 7 3) A M a n u a l o f P ho to gr a p h y, A rn o P res s In c . U SA . H u tc h in g s, G . ( 1 9 9 2 ) T h e Bo o k o f P yro , Bi t te r D og P ress , Gra n i te Ba y, C A . J a me s, C. ( 2 0 0 2) T h e Bo o k o f A l t er n a t i v e P ho to gr a p h i c P ro ces s es , De l ma r , Ne w Yo r k . Ken n e t h-M e es , C. E . a n d J a mes , T . H . ( 1 9 6 6 ) T h e T heo ry o f t h e P ho to g r a p h i c P ro ces s , T he M a c mi lla n C o mp a n y, Ne w Yo r k . L a m b , A . R . ( 1 9 9 9 ) F r a mi n g P ho to gr a p h y , Co l u m ba P u b lis h in g, O h io , U S A. L a ve d rin e , B. ( 2 0 0 3) A G u i de to t he Pr e v en t a t i ve Co ns e r v a ti o n o f P ho to g r a p hi c Co l l ec t io ns , T he G e t ty C on se r va ti on In s t i t u te , L os An ge l es U S A. Ne ls on , M . I . ( 2 0 0 4 ) P re c is io n D i gi t a l N e ga t i ves : Fo r Si l ve r & O th er A l t er n a t i ve Pr o ces s es , M a rk I Nel s on . Rei ll y , J . M . ( 1 9 8 0 ) T he A l b u m e n & S a l te d P a pe r Bo o k : T he His to r y a n d pr a c t i c e o f p ho to gr a p h i c pr i n t i ng , 1 8 4 0 1 8 9 5 ., L ig h t I m p res sion s Co r p o ra ti on . , Ro c hes t e r, U SA .

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | Bi b li og ra p h y

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Sc ha a f , L . J . ( 1 9 9 6 ) R eco r ds o f t h e D aw n o f Ph o t o gr a p h y T a l bo t' s No te bo o ks P & Q , U n i ve rs it y P re ss Ca m b ri dg e, Ca mb r i dge G r ea t B r i ta i n . Sc ha a f , L . J . ( 2 0 0 0 ) T he P ho to gr a p h i c Ar t o f Wi l l i a m H e nr y F o x T a l bo t , P ri n c et on U n ive r si t y P r ess , O xf o rd s hi re , U K. St r oe be l, L ., Co m p t on , J ., C u r r en t, I . a n d Z a kia , R . ( 1 9 8 6 ) P ho to g r a p h i c M a t er i a ls an d P ro ces s es , B u t te r wo r t h P u bli s he rs , S t on e ha m , M A , U S A . T u rn e r , S. ( 1 9 9 8 ) T h e Bo o k o f F i ne P a p er s , T ha me s a n d H u ds on In c, Ne w Yo r k . Wa ll , E . J . a n d J o r da n , F. I . ( 1 9 7 5 ) P ho to gr a p h ic F a c ts a n d Fo r m u l as , A m e ri ca n P h o t og ra p hi c Bo o k P u bli s hin g Co . , In c. , Ne w Yo r k U SA . Wa ll s, H. J . a n d A t t r id ge , G. G . ( 1 9 7 7 ) B as i c P ho to S c ie n c e, ho w p ho to g r a p hy w o r ks , Fo ca l P ress , L on d on . Wa r e, M . ( 2 0 0 6 ) T he C hr ys o ty p e M a n u a l, T h e C ro m we l l P re ss L t d, U K . Wa r e, M . J . ( 1 9 9 4) M ec h a n is m o f I m a ge D e te rio r a t io n i n E ar l y P ho to g r a p hs - t he s e ns i ti v i t y to Li g h t o f WH F T a l bo t' s h a l i de -f i xe d I m a ges 1 8 3 4 - 1 8 4 4 , S ci en ce M use u m a n d Na ti on a l M u se u m o f P h o t og ra p h y, F il m & Te le vis ion , B ra df o rd , L on d on . Wa r e, M . J . ( 2 0 0 6. ) Go l d i n Ph o t o gr a p h y ., f fo t of fi l m p u b lis h in g , B ri g h ton , U K.

T he Sa l t p ri n t M a n u a l | Bi b li og ra p h y

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